Learn how to use Matrix Games!

• What we'll do
Guest facilitators and history teachers Andrew Savage and Michael Harcourt want to teach you about Matrix Games!

Matrix Games were invented by Chris Engle, an American psychiatric social worker. He began to develop the concept in 1988 with the idea that a player could "role-play" an entire country or group. He was told that he would have to use a number-based system if he wanted something that would work, but he felt that this essentially missed the point. What he wanted was system that reflected the intangible aspects of a nations and groups such as its culture, beliefs, and perceptions of itself; in essence a model of a nation or group’s "character".

This session will introduce participants to Matrix simulation games as a method for introducing complexity and critical thinking in the social sciences. Participants will play a game and discuss its suitability for the classroom or other learning settings. For this session, the game will focus on the complexity of peace-making using a scenario set in a fictional Eastern European city facing the rumblings of a popular revolution.

This game needs between 6-12 participants who are open to engaging in a free flowing debate/discussion that will tell a memorable story.

• About Andrew Savage and Michael Harcourt
Andrew and Michael are history educators who primarily use non-digital games as a method to engage students with history's complexity. They have a particular interest in how games can generate debate, hone students' argumentation skills and develop critical thinking when applied to historical contexts and their contemporary implications. REad more about their practice in this case study http://bit.ly/2HAwmvu

• What to bring
An open mind and a willingness to fully participate! A gold coin donation towards our meetup costs also appreciated.

• Important to know
Spaces in this session are limited!! If you have RSVPed and can no longer attend, PLEASE change your RSVP to let us know ahead of time.