The Experience
In Experience Philadelphia!™ participants shape the future of the city and region. They assume the roles of key decision makers ranging from representatives of Philadelphia's neighborhoods and civil society organizations to government, media, and private sector leaders. They grapple with real issues facing Philadelphia today and work together to imagine and develop real world solutions. Participants become familiar with the vital statistics of the Philadelphia region and its history. They discover Philadelphia's defining features, its resources, problems, capacities, and possibilities.

The giant map "game board," on which the simulation takes place is surrounded by wall exhibits from the museum's vast collection. These deepen and enrich the simulation experience by providing historical information on key Philadelphia topics. Using the map, game instruction cards, current information, props, and their own experiences, participants develop solutions to the Philadelphia region's real world problems and make decisions about the future. The usual simulation runs 90 minutes to two hours, although more in-depth versions are available (see below).

Purpose/Object/Goals
Experience Philadelphia!™ seeks to accurately inform participants about the current state of Philadelphia and its rich history, inspire them about what Philadelphia could and should be in the future, and motivate and empower them towards positive civic engagement.

The object of the game is to engage participants in imagining and developing solutions to real world problems and in creating the future of Philadelphia. Experience Philadelphia!™ helps participants better understand their region's problems, resources, options for the future, and each other. In addition, the simulation seeks to develop viable strategies for the solution of community problems and to create a vision of the future for the Philadelphia region. Experience Philadelphia!™ is an opportunity for people of all ages to practice and reflect on key elements of responsible citizenship: democratic participation; cooperation; integrity; transparency; personal responsibility; interdependency; and celebration and respect for diversity.

During the course of the simulation, participants communicate, negotiate, make deals, solve problems, and resolve conflicts. They compete over scarce resources and cooperate to meet their objectives. Experience Philadelphia!™ is fun, interactive, engaging, fast-paced, and intense. Participants leave the game as more informed citizens ready, willing, and able to get involved with their communities.

Activity Description
Participants are divided into teams. The teams represent various decision-making bodies in the community—neighborhoods, government, corporations, the media, and civil society. The number of players on each team depends on the total number of participants in the game session. Neighborhoods are geographically focused, civil society is issue focused, corporations are profit focused, and the media reports the news. Each group, as in the real world, has different objectives, issues, and "winning conditions". Each team interacts to get its needs met and to reach its objectives. In the interaction, each team learns about the other team's goals, decision-making logic, resources, and limitations. They learn the interconnections between various players in the real world as they play the simulation.

Experience Philadelphia!™ begins with a brief orientation and introduction. Teams, resources, rules, and objectives are gone over. The simulation has three periods where participants seek to solve their problems and meet their needs. In between these periods the media team reports the news—what has happened in the simulation so far. When the simulation is over, there is a debriefing session where what was learned is discussed.

Experience Philadelphia!™ Movie
To get a feel for the region, and as an introduction to Experience Philadelphia!™, check out this short movie. Just as the giant map provides a big picture perspective on our region, its geography, and land use, this movie does the same for the people who live and work here. Watch it here.

Scheduling Experience Philadelphia!™ and Fees
For school groups, the fee for Experience Philadelphia!™ is $200 for 20 students; $5 for each additional student. Teachers and chaperones are free. The school simulation program includes facilitation by a trained museum educator, versed in curriculum benchmarks and frameworks. Advance reservations are required, along with a $100 deposit.

For civic and other groups engaged in issues of the region, the fee for Experience Philadelphia!™ is based on organizational status:

• Not-for-profit groups, $1,000 for up to 40 participants; $25 for each additional person over 40.
• For-profit groups, $2,000 for up to 40 participants; $50 for each additional person over 40.

This simulation program includes professional facilitation by Medard Gabel, CEO of BigPictureSmallWorld Inc., who has designed, developed, and delivered experiential educational programs both nationally and internationally since 1970. Advance reservations are required for both the above adult groups, along with a $500 deposit.

To make a reservation and for more information, contact:
Education Department
Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia
(215) 6685-4832
experience@atwaterkentmuseum.org