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Operation: ELECT - A Computational Thinking Game

Computer Science, Government, Political Science

William Thompson, Javier Elizondo, Braden Roper, Natalie Kendrick | Published: May 23rd, 2024 by K20 Center

Based on Operation: ELECT - A Computational Thinking Game by Natalie Kendrick.

  • Grade Level Grade Level 11th – 12th Grade
  • Subject Subject Computer Science, Social Studies
  • Course Course AP US History, Computer Science, U.S. Government, game
  • Time Frame Time Frame 2 Class Periods

Learning Objectives

Social Studies Objectives:

  • The student can explain how the Electoral College figures into the electoral process.

  • The student can explain how media and public opinion affect the election process.

  • The student can explain how local and national campaigns are conducted.

  • The student can explain how campaign funding figures into the electoral process.

  • The student can analyze various factors affecting the political process.

Computational Thinking Objectives:

  • The student can break down data, processes, or problems into smaller parts.

  • The student can make a problem more manageable by identifying and reducing unnecessary detail.

  • The student can identify patterns, trends, and regularities in a given data set. The student can utilize these patterns to make predictions and inform actions.

  • The student can develop a set of steps or instructions to solve a complex problem. The student can instigate a series of actions in sequence to solve said problem.

  • Through trial, error, and iteration, the student can evaluate the effectiveness of a solution and propose changes.

About Operation: ELECT - A Computational Thinking Game

Operation: ELECT is a strategic social studies game of politics, press, and the election process. As a campaign manager, you’ll compute your way through five levels of government elections and help your candidate secure their spot in the history books. You’re in control—from fundraisers to smear campaigns, and from the humble city council to the United States presidency. Secure votes, outwit your opponent, and tackle the Electoral College head-on in this engrossing game of candidates and computational thinking.

Standards

Oklahoma Academic Standards (Social Studies: United States Government (9th through 12th grade))
USG.5.4: Analyze factors affecting the political process and their role in government, including the role of political parties, interest groups, mass media, public opinion,and campaign funding.
USG.5.5: Explain the steps of the electoral process including the components of local and national campaigns, the nominative process,and the Electoral College.

Media

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC BY-SA 4.0 License.