Do you dream of bringing your ideas to life in a real-world education setting? Take this chance to brainstorm with education staff at the Minnesota Historical Society. History may sound old and dusty, but Minnesota’s state history museum is one of the most innovative (and largest) in the nation. You know developing games involves navigating constraints, so let’s have some fun.
Think you can handle building a learning game around the limitations our museum faces? Come find out! First, we’ll expose you to the opportunities and challenges of developing tools for students. You’ll consider grade-level appropriateness, use of primary sources, portraying multiple perspectives, and multidisciplinary skills. (Don’t forget meeting our strategic mission and generating income.)
You’ll break into groups for a design jam around middle school social studies standards.You’ll devise the platform, interactive experience, and marketing strategy around the game-based tool you create. If you succeed at your quest, you’ll have the reward of giving students the knowledge and critical thinking skills they need to better understand their world.
For the past 15 years, Jennifer has worked at the intersection of technology and education in informal learning environments. As Head of Digital Learning and Assessment, she leads projects that bring digital experiences to the Minnesota Historical Society, including Play the Past. Jennifer has a B.A. from St. Olaf College in Math and Music and an M.P.A. from the School of International Affairs at Columbia University.
Jennifer SlySuzi Hunn has work at the Minnesota Historical Society for the past 13 years. During that time, her primary project has been working with Northern Lights: The Stories of Minnesota’s Past. The curriculum is used statewide to teach students Minnesota Studies, including history, civics, economics, and geography. Suzi enjoys speaking about the curriculum, as well as its audience, strengths, challenges, and future in the digital world.
Suzi HunnFeatured Sessions
