Sandra Day O’Connor’s Startup Chosen for MacArthur Grant

The 2015 recipients of the MacArthur Foundation’s grants have been announced. The MacArthur Foundation supports nonprofits that seek to make a difference in the world, particularly in the fields of human rights, conservation, security, aid to children, and technology. This year, the foundation gave grants to nine different nonprofits, ranging from $350,000 to $1 million. Some of these organizations have the potential to have notable effects on the law and policy fields for years to come. One of the groups chosen is called iCivics, and it was actually founded by a familiar face–former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

The online iCivics program aims to teach American children about our history and government in a fun, interactive way–games. The site also includes lesson plans. The goal is to get as many teachers in as many classrooms as possible using it to teach students about civics. O’Connor explained the importance of a civics education in a 2012 Washington Post interview, stating:

In over half the states in the union, civics education is not required. The only reason we have public school education in America is because in the early days of the country, our leaders thought we had to teach our young generation about citizenship … that obligation never ends. If we don’t take every generation of young people and make sure they understand that they are an essential part of government, we won’t survive. We don’t teach our own kids. It’s insane.

The site has been a pretty instant success; despite being around for just over five years, operating with an annual budget of under $2 million, and having fewer than ten employees, more than half of the middle school social studies teachers in the U.S. have signed up to use it. The MacArthur Grant will send an influx of another $750,000 of cash into iCivics‘ account, and the group is planning on using it to open up another office in Boston, as well as pay for other necessary costs to continue doing innovative and creative work.

I checked out the website, and it’s pretty easy to see how iCivics has been such a success. Games include “Supreme Decision” where the student gets to help decide the Supreme Court’s decision on a case that seems to mirror landmark Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines. In order to give students a view of the court on all sides though, there’s also “Argument Wars” where you argue Supreme Court cases against another “lawyer.” There’s a whole list of cases from which to choose.

The iCivics games aren’t just limited to the judicial branch. In “Executive Command” the player gets to be the President for four years. “Represent Me” allows a student to role play as a legislator attempting to interact with constituents. “Branches of Power” allows you to control all the branches of the government. Each of the games have different goals and achievements to be unlocked as well, some of which require students to look at various issues from two or more sides.

Although my memories of middle school civics are hazy, I certainly could imagine these games being a great way to teach young people who might otherwise find history and government studies boring. The games look like a lot of fun to play (I may or may not have seriously contemplated making an account and trying one out). Most importantly, the fact that they are free online allow pretty much any teacher to access them.

The MacArthur Grants are a great program, and they chose to honor many amazing nonprofits. Kudos to the Foundation for the work it does, and it’s great to see O’Connor’s innovative legacy receive another push forward.

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.