Civic Programs for Engaged Youth: Online Edition

We’ve recently written about ways for youth to get more involved in civics through Forums and Youth Parliaments and Legislative Page and Internship Programs. These are all amazing opportunities for youth to live and breathe aspects of government. The downside is that they have limits of the number of students that can participate and they only occur at specific times during the year.

What if you’re a student who wants to do something at home right now?

Run Vote Win

Elections Nova Scotia created a simulation election game, where you can participate as either a candidate or a voter in a pretend election that takes place in the province. Follow the campaign from the dropping of the writ to Election Day, and learn about the issues and electoral process along the way!

Nation States

Have you ever wanted to run your own country, building it from scratch? Nation States is a series of choices that starts with deciding your country’s name and governance style to how you will address issues of free speech and taxation. It is an ongoing game that can be played over days or weeks and evolves based on each decision you make.

The ReDistricting Game

This USA focused game makes you the ‘map maker’, working for a political party to redraw electoral districts to favour your candidates. It is a simulation for the practice of gerrymandering. You have to keep the population balanced and still rack up the wins. Will the State Legislature approve your proposal? Read helpful backgrounders along the way to help accomplish your missions.

Pillars of Freedom

Spirit and Imm are two dragons fighting to regain their personal freedoms. Through a series of quests and a video series with TVO, help Spirit and Imm learn about concepts like consultation and governance in order to better understand their world and restore their rights. Pillars of Freedom has a whole universe of content for younger children to explore online.

Race to the Voting Box

Your parents need to get to the polling station on Election Day to cast their ballot, but they’ve forgotten all of the important pieces of information they need to vote! Navigate through a maze within the time limit to collect the information your parents need, but don’t fall in the holes in the road along the way. This game is presented by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The Civic Mirror 

The Civic Mirror is a classroom activity, spanning over several weeks, that allows students to create their own nation while learning about government, law, economics and citizenship. A class of students works together to construct, manage and survive in their nation, each with their own family. The Canadian version of this program fits in with several social studies curricula across the country at the high school level, and provides and interactive way for students to learn about Canadian government.

Katie

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