iCivics.org: Excellent Educational Games

by Amber O’Casey
Cluster Specialist
Government & Public Administration and Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security

iCivics.org is an excellent resource for GPA and LPSCS educators and any educator promoting civic knowledge. It is a “web-based education project designed to reinvigorate civics teaching and learning” which “features free games, lesson plans, web quests, and interactive modules.” The curriculum covers a broad range of civics topics and the educational games

provide students (and admittedly educators) with fun, first person, virtual civic experiences. Below is a list that highlights the game topics. Take a few minutes to try one of the games. You and your students will enjoy it.

 

Citizenship and Participation

• Activate – campaign for an issue of your choice
• Cast Your Vote – moderate a political debate
• Counties Work – create and manage a county
• Immigration Nation – guide newcomers along their path to citizenship
• Responsibility Launcher – give civic sense to virtual citizens
• We the Jury – act as a jury member and deliberate a case

The Constitution and Bill of Rights

• Argument Wars – argue a Supreme Court case
• Do I Have a Right? – run your own constitutional law firm
• Do I Have a Right?: Bill of Rights – run your own firm specializing in the Bill of Rights
• Power Play – coach a team of players competing to win power for the state or federal government

Budgeting

• People’s Pie – control the budget of the federal government

 

Separation of Powers

• Branches of Power – control all three branches of government

The Executive Branch

• Executive Command – act as the President
• Win the White House – manage your own presidential campaign

The Legislative Branch

Law Craft – act as a member of Congress

Represent Me – work as a legislator

 

The Judicial Branch

• Argument Wars – (see above)
• Court Quest – navigate the US court system
• Do I Have a Right? – (see above)
• Supreme Decision – act as a Supreme Court justice
• We The Jury – (see above)