S1T2’s interactive learning experience takes Gold at the Better Future GOV Design Awards.
The GOV Design Digital Education Award recognises projects that are reshaping how learning happens across government, community, and public sectors. We’re proud to see The Future Water Story recognised not only with a Gold win, but also entry into the Better Future World Design Awards.
We’re also excited because this recognition reflects a growing appetite for learning experiences that move beyond information delivery, instead inviting learners into an engaging, participatory process built for them.
A collaborative digital learning experience
Developed in partnership with Melbourne Water, The Future Water Story transforms the often complex, often dry, topic of water management into a collaborative, story-driven experience.
Rather than being told what to think, students step into the role of decision-makers. They weigh evidence, negotiate with peers, and see the consequences of their choices through real-time digital interactivity. A learning experience that feels active, social, and genuinely empowering: building not just knowledge, but confidence and agency around shaping a sustainable future.
Seeing the impact
The success of The Future Water Story lies not in technology alone, but in how that technology supports interaction, collaboration, and critical thinking. Since launching in July 2024, the experience has welcomed more than 2,000 Year 7–10 students from schools across Melbourne, while also engaging broader audiences through community and industry events.
Surveys conducted between February and November 2025 reinforce its impact, with 98% teacher satisfaction (86% “very satisfied”) and 96% agreement that students were fully engaged and gained a stronger understanding of sustainable water challenges.
What comes next
For us, recognition of The Future Water Story is exciting because it becomes a testament to what’s possible when in-person collaboration and digital interaction are designed together from the outset. This isn’t just an award win, but a signal that blended, immersive learning experiences are being taken seriously.
Experiences like this don’t just educate; they invite participation, spark curiosity, and help young people see themselves as active contributors to the future.
