TOPIC 1 SIMULATIONS PAGES

What Are Simulation Quests?

A Simulation Quest is a series of virtual simulations in which the student gains points for passing each simulation level.  Students work on these in teams and collaboratively make decisions, solve problems, and reflect on experiences.

Topic 1 Simulation Quest

Level 1:  Invention and Innovation     20 point level

The Industrial Age really began with inventions, innovations, and improvements in transportation.  The Transcontinental Railroad was the most important innovation in transportation and was responsible for the growth of American industry.  In the following simulation, you will participate in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.  

Instructions:  
  1. One team member will be the reader.
  2. One team member will be the writer.
  3. One team member will be the discussion leader.
  4. One team member will be the researcher.
  5. Click on the link below.  
  6. The reader will read each part of the simulation.
  7. The writer will record the choices offered in the simulation.
  8. The researcher will explore any additional resources in the simulation and record what they learn to report to the group.
  9. The discussion leader will lead teams on voting for choices in the simulation.
  10. The writer will record the choices made and the results of the choice.
  11. At the end of the Great Railroad Race Simulation, turn in your record of choices, decisions, and results to earn 20 points for the level 1 simulation.

Tool Box

Topic 1 Module

Lesson 1 Module

Lesson 2 Module

Lesson 3 Module

Lesson 4 Module

Lesson 5 Module

Lesson 6 Module

Lesson 7 Module 

Lesson 8 Module

Topic 1 Assignments 

Topic 1 Study Guides

Topic 1 Games

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Level 2:  Industrialization                    40 Point Level

This is a game in which you pretend to be Eliza Paige, a farm girl who has just come to Lowell, a brand new industrial city on the Merrimack River in Northeastern Massachusetts.

Click on "Find out more" under Eliza's picture to meet her.

On the following pages, you will make a series of choices that mill girls like Eliza would have faced. Each choice has a consequence and leads to new choices and a new future for Eliza. Your choices affect Eliza's future. Before you make a choice be sure to:
  • Learn About Lowell: On each page, you will see primary sources. Click on the "Find out more" under each one to enlarge the source and get useful information. Try it on this page and learn more about Lowell.
  • "Seek advice" by clicking on the advice buttons.
  • Get definitions of words by clicking on any underlined word like canal.
You can do more research too. Click on "How do we know what we know" to learn about how historians gather and sift information. Or click on the "Primary Sources," "Bibliography," "Timeline," or "Links" to go even deeper.

Your team of 4- 5 will now break into small groups of 2 - 3.  Each pair or trio will participate in the simulation and purposely decide to make different choices than the other pair or trio group members in their team.   You need to record the choices you were offered, the decisions you made, and the results of your choices.  When you complete the simulation, see how making different choices for Eliza change her life by comparing your choices and results with the other members of your team.


So, catch the coach to Lowell... Make choices. See what happens.  Turn your Level 2 Industrialization Simulation Results in for 40 points.

Level 3:  Urbanization                           60 Point Level

Urbanization occurred when people began immigrating to the United States from other countries and migrating from rural areas of the U.S. to urban areas.  In the next simulation, your group will participate in a simulation where you are a new immigrant to the United States.  You will start your new life in America by getting an apartment (tenement), finding a job, and working in the United States.  you will again have the same jobs and follow these directions:
  1. One team member will be the reader.
  2. One team member will be the writer.
  3. One team member will be the discussion leader.
  4. One team member will be the researcher.
  5. Click on the link below.  
  6. The reader will read each part of the simulation.
  7. The writer will record the choices offered in the simulation.
  8. The researcher will explore any additional resources in the simulation and record what they learn to report to the group.
  9. The discussion leader will lead teams on voting for choices in the simulation.
  10. The writer will record the choices made and the results of the choice.
  11. At the end of the Immigrant and Urban Life Simulation, turn in your record of choices, decisions, and results to earn 80 points for the level 4 simulation.


Turn your Level 3 Urbanization Simulation Results in for 60 points.

Level 4:  Immigration                           80 Point Level

Invention led to industrialization.  Industrialization led to the United States moving from a farming society to an industrial society.  Industrialization required workers to work in factories.  These job opportunities attracted many immigrants to the United States.  Immigration was a difficult process.  Experiences were also different depending on where you entered the United States and what nationality your were.  In the next level, you will participate in two simulations.  One simulation is the Ellis Island Experience - immigration through New York on the East Coast.  The second simulation is the Angel Island Experience - immigration through San Francisco, California on the West Coast.  Follow the instructions below:
  1. Go to the Ellis Island Experience Link.
  2. Participate in all 10 points of immigration.
  3. Record what you do at each point.

The Ellis Island Experience
  1. Go to the Angel Island Experience Link.
  2. Participate in each stop in the simulation 
  3. Record what you experienced at each point.

The Angel Island Experience

Level 5:  Solving the Problems of Urbanization            100 Point Level

Urbanization meant that cities became crowded with buildings and people.  It presented new problems in transportation and communication; the loss of beauty and nature; and issues with how to expand when there was no more land to do so.  Many new innovations were developed to solve these problems. New bridge designs, steel framed skyscrapers, streetcars, canals, city parks, the telephone, the bicycle, and electricity all became common sites of the big city.  In this simulation, you will participate in solving the problems of urbanization with your group.  Follow the directions below to complete the 5th level of the simulation quest worth 100 points.

Step 1:  Building Bridges

The first thing your city needs to do is build bridges.  Complete the Building Bridges Simulation by clicking on the link below.  Remember your jobs.  The writer needs to record each choice you are presented with and each choice you made.  After completing the Building Bridges Simulation, go to the Building Domes Simulation.
Building Bridges Simulation

Step 2:  Building Domes


The next thing your city needs to do is build domes.  Complete the Building Domes Simulation by clicking on the link below.  Remember your jobs.  The writer needs to record each choice you are presented with and each choice you made.  After completing the Building Domes Simulation, go to the Building Skyscrapers Simulation.
Building Domes Simulation

Step 3:  Building Skyscrapers

The next thing your city needs to do is build skyscrapers.  Complete the Building Skyscrapers Simulation by clicking on the link below.  Remember your jobs.  The writer needs to record each choice you are presented with and each choice you made.  After completing the Building Skyscrapers Simulation, go to the Building Dams Simulation.

Building Skyscrapers Simulation

Step 4:  Building Dams

The next thing your city needs to do is build dams.  Complete the Building Dams Simulation by clicking on the link below.  Remember your jobs.  The writer needs to record each choice you are presented with and each choice you made.  After completing the Building Dams Simulation, go to the Building Tunnels Simulation.



Building Dams Simulation

Step 5:  Building Tunnels

The next thing your city needs to do is build tunnels.  Complete the Building Tunnels Simulation by clicking on the link below.  Remember your jobs.  The writer needs to record each choice you are presented with and each choice you made.  After completing the Building Tunnels Simulation, turn in your "Building Bridges, Domes, Skyscrapers, Dams, and Tunnels Choices, Decisions, and Results to me to get 100 points for the level 5 Urbanization Level.


Building Tunnels Simulation
Congratulations!  You have completed the Simulation Quest for Topic 1 - The Gilded Age.  If you made it to level 4, you scored 300 points!