Power Play: An Energy Infrastructure Game

Helping students grasp the complexities of transitioning to renewable energy requires more than equations—it demands an understanding of political, economic, and social constraints. In my Physics and Society course, I developed a role-playing game called Power Play where students plan energy infrastructure for a growing island community. Divided into four teams—residents, businesses, government, and science advisors—students negotiate competing interests while balancing costs, environmental impact, and public approval. Through this simulation, students confront real-world challenges such as grid reliability, policy incentives, and the role of science in decision-making. This talk will outline the game’s design, share student reactions, and present lessons learned from the first iteration.