This fall semester, Katie Tompkins not only had the chance to be an honorary Husky, but she also adapted an environmental game for United States audiences. She’s brought the game back to the States with her.
A student at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Tompkins met Dr. Joseph Melcher, professor of psychology at St. Cloud State University and academic director of the Alnwick Castle study abroad program in England. He gave Tompkins a flyer for the psychology program in Alnwick.
Tompkins knew she wanted to study abroad and experience cultural immersion, so going to Alnwick was a no-brainer. She was able to earn college credit at SCSU and Anoka-Ramsey – enough to complete her associate degree. Her commencement ceremony is this spring.
While taking classes like intercultural psychology, Tompkins realized she wanted to experience more of the local culture. With her interest in environmental science at the forefront of her mind, she joined the Alnwick Area Friends of the Earth group on Facebook.
After expressing her desire to volunteer, she was connected with Terry Smith. Also a member of the group, he created the Environmental Tipping Point Challenge game. Smith needed help developing the game. What started as a few meetings for tea ended in a friendship and the opportunity for Tompkins to tailor the game to audiences in the United States.
While they worked together on the game, Smith helped Tompkins learn more about the social aspects, traditions and history of British culture.
The game is similar to Jenga, in that players use blocks to create towers, Tompkins explained. Challenge, change, dilemma and threat cards are mixed together. Each represents an environmental scenario. Depending on the card, players may have to either remove a block from one tower or add a block to the second tower.
The goal of the game is to build the second tower before the first one falls down. It shows players how climate change affects the earth and gives them a chance to discuss potential solutions to environmental challenges. The game is recommended for American students high school aged or older.
Tompkins says the version of the game for Americans is nearly finished; she just needs to finalize the materials and print the cards. Like Smith in the UK, Tompkins is hoping to pass the game on to local schools to help students learn about climate change.
St. Cloud State at Alnwick offers students the unique opportunity to not only study abroad, but to also live and take classes inside a castle. The Alnwick Castle is one of Britain’s most iconic castles, and it’s been featured in numerous movies and television shows. The Alnwick experience is also open to partner colleges and universities when space is available.
