Classroom Simulation - CarTown, U.S.A.

The Center for Ethics and Corporate Responsibility's educational program for school classrooms and youth organizations is designed to strengthen the foundations of citizenship by educating tomorrow's leaders about ethics in vocation and the workplace. Our primary educational resource for youth is CarTown, U.S.A., an interactive simulation created by the Institute to encourage reflection and dialogue about honesty, truth-telling and obligations to others.

The simulation, now used in high school classrooms in more than 20 states. It also is a popular teaching resource for universities and businesses.

Using a context that most high school students can readily appreciate – the buying and selling of used automobiles – the game allows students to discover for themselves the ethical dimensions of business transactions. The game is designed for classroom use and has connections to curriculum in economics, language arts, social science and other areas. A character education module for educators, CarTown, U.S.A. is:

• An ideal tool for high school educators seeking a practical, engaging exercise that lets students grapple with ethical issues.
• A short simulation with an approximate running time of 45-50 minutes.
• Easy to facilitate. No teacher training is required.
• A practical exercise that students enjoy, since many are interested in buying their first automobile.
• A way to get at tough issues, normally difficult to discuss, and makes ethics "real."

Produced with support from Assurant Solutions and BellSouth Corp., the game was introduced to the nation's educators at the annual convention of the National Association of Secondary School Principals in 2002.

Pictured here is former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell introducing students at Atlanta Girls' School to CarTown, U.S.A. Mr. Massell is president of the Buckhead Coalition, a civic association that donated Cartown, U.S.A., to a number of schools in the north Atlanta area.

CarTown, U.S.A., is now available from the Georgia Council on Economic Education. To learn more about the game, contact Michael Raymer at 404-413-7826 or via e-mail at gcemrrx@langate.gsu.edu.