The educational game was developed by Filament Games, an award-winning developer in Madison, Wisconsin, that specializes in educational experiences. We are thrilled to bring this game to young people through our partnership with Mount Vernon.” Silverbrook said, “Through Constitutional Compromise, students will gain foundational civic knowledge, while also understanding how compromise and civility are essential to a healthy constitutional democracy. As they make choices, students can compare their decisions with the actual historical outcomes. Ray-Hill said it has always been helpful to “kick down the door with the game and then have the kids have that context early on.” Constitutional Compromise Teaching kids about Constitutional Compromise.Ĭonstitutional Compromise challenges students to grapple with intense debates and weigh the arguments presented by the delegates. “We really lean on those learning standards to create the learning objectives that then lead us to what mechanics make the most sense in the game.” “Pretty much any teacher of US history can rattle off the main compromises of the convention,” said Carrie Ray-Hill, senior director of digital learning at iCivics, in an interview with GamesBeat. Washington of course went on to become the nation’s first president under the new Constitution. Guided by George Washington himself, who presided over the Constitutional Convention, players must navigate six key issues that shaped the Constitution: the scope of national government, representation of power, how population is determined, executive functions, the transatlantic slave trade, and whether the country should adopt a bill of rights. Acting as delegates, students are tasked with the responsibility of drafting the nation’s governing charter. The game will not only be accessible online but will also be available for on-site play at Mount Vernon, which attracts over a million visitors annually.ĭesigned for middle school and high school students, Constitutional Compromise transports players to Philadelphia in 1787.

The collaboration was made possible with the support of philanthropist Kenneth C. And it’s a great entry point into a variety of civics and now history topics.”Ĭonstitutional Compromise marks iCivics’ first foray into creating a game specifically designed for use within a museum exhibit. “And we create game characters that feel accessible to young people. “The secret sauce of iCivics games is creating games that are really approachable and have a balance of seriousness and fun,” said Julie Silverbrook, iCivics senior director of partnerships and Constitutional Scholar in Residence, in an interview with GamesBeat. The idea is to immerse students in the pivotal moments and compromises that led to the signing of the document. It’s part of a movement to keep young students more engaged with lessons by putting them in a form they can understand better: computer games.

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