Tech Tools for Teachers PODCAST

Interactive History Lessons with Mission US

April 7, 2025

Promotional graphic for the Tech Tools for Teachers Podcast featuring host Shanna Martin smiling against a dark blue background. The podcast logo is displayed along with text that reads, “Episode 209: History with Mission US.”

Hey teachers! Episode 209 of the Tech Tools for Teachers Podcast is all about bringing history to life with the interactive and engaging platform, Mission US.

Mission US

Screenshot of the Mission US interactive simulation, depicting a farm management scenario with crops, cows, and chickens. A sidebar details farm income, expenses, and estimated profits, along with land-use planning options.Screenshot of Mission US gameplay options highlighting various historical missions, including “1770 The American Revolution,” “1866 Westward Expansion,” and “1907 The Immigrant Experience,” each illustrated with a distinct character representing the time period.Screenshot of the Mission US teacher’s guide page, showing available classroom resources such as historical background, classroom activities, professional learning resources, and event promotions like the “Mission US Meetup.”Screenshot of the Mission US class overview dashboard, listing student participation statistics by sections such as “Prologue,” “Boom to Bust,” and “California or Dust,” showing the number of students who started and completed each section.

Mission US is an amazing tool to immerse your students in pivotal moments from American history. One of my favorite things about it is the variety of missions available, each covering a different significant historical event. Your class can explore topics like the American Revolution, Westward Expansion, or the Great Depression through interactive gameplay.

Another fantastic feature is flexibility—missions can be completed in parts, fitting easily into your lesson plans without needing large blocks of time. Students are fully engaged in the storytelling, learning history by making decisions within the game. It also reinforces specific vocabulary tied directly to each historical event, boosting content comprehension and retention.

While younger students can definitely benefit from Mission US, it is really helpful for older students who are ready to dive deeper into critical discussions about historical contexts, consequences, and meanings behind their choices in the game. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the content is robust, detailed, and genuinely valuable—not just surface-level information.

Dive into Mission US to transform your history lessons into meaningful adventures that captivate your students and enrich their learning.

Have a great week everyone! Go educate and innovate!

— Shanna

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