Revolutionary War: Fight for Independence

Game Overview:
Students take on roles in the Continental Army and intelligence networks to win key battles, gather intelligence, and outmaneuver the British. The floor transforms into battlefields, encampments, and strategic maps, while the walls display commanders, orders, and enemy movements.

Their mission has three phases, each testing their ability to collaborate, strategize, and recall Revolutionary War history.

Game Mechanics:
Phase 1: Battle Strategy & Formation (Coordination & Communication)
📍 Objective: Form military strategies and respond to British attacks using real Revolutionary War tactics.

The floor transforms into a battlefield with zones marking different types of terrain (hills, rivers, forests, open fields).

Students are assigned roles (General, Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Scouts, Spies).

The walls display the approaching British forces, and the students must:

Position troops correctly based on historical tactics (e.g., guerrilla warfare, flanking, defensive lines).

Choose battle formations (line formation for open fields, ambush tactics in forests).

React to British movements—the walls update in real time as enemy troops advance or retreat.

🔴 If they fail to coordinate, the British break their lines, and they must regroup quickly.
🟢 If successful, they gain momentum and reinforcements for the next phase.

🎯 Lesson Learned: How American forces used strategy, terrain, and unconventional tactics to fight the British Army.

Phase 2: The Spy Network (Problem-Solving & Communication)
📍 Objective: Decipher secret messages, gather intelligence, and avoid capture.

The floor shifts into a secret meeting point (a tavern, underground hideout, or the Culper Spy Ring’s base).

The walls display coded messages, intercepted British orders, and secret locations.

Students take on different spy roles and must:

Use invisible ink (touch interaction on the walls) to reveal hidden messages.

Match coded letters to historical ciphers (e.g., the Culper Code Book).

Deliver intelligence to George Washington’s camp without being intercepted (they must navigate moving British patrols on the floor).

💥 If they make too many mistakes, they are caught as spies and must solve an extra challenge to escape.
✅ If they succeed, Washington receives the intelligence, improving their chances in the final battle.

🎯 Lesson Learned: The role of espionage, the importance of intelligence gathering, and how the Colonial forces outmaneuvered the British through secrecy.

Phase 3: The Final Battle – Yorktown (Decision-Making & Teamwork)
📍 Objective: Coordinate with French allies, position troops, and force a British surrender.

The floor transforms into the battlefield at Yorktown, with trenches, cannons, and enemy lines.

The walls display real-time updates from Washington, Lafayette, and British General Cornwallis.

Students must:

Coordinate artillery attacks by stepping on correct floor zones to fire cannons.

Hold defensive positions as the British counterattack.

Call in French reinforcements at the right moment for a final push.

Accept or reject British surrender terms (making a final strategic decision).

🎯 Lesson Learned: How the war was won through coordination, foreign alliances, and military strategy.

Victory & Reflection:
At the end, students receive a mission debrief based on:
✅ Effectiveness in battle strategy and formations.
✅ Success in deciphering intelligence and avoiding capture.
✅ Execution of the final battle at Yorktown.

George Washington (displayed on the walls) gives the final verdict:

"The United States is victorious! Your bravery has secured independence!" (if successful).

"The war is not over. Learn from your mistakes, and fight again!" (if they failed).

They reflect on how communication, teamwork, and historical events shaped the Revolution, connecting their choices to real battles and tactics.