Lab Exercise

Star Power Game

Overview

Star Power is a classroom simulation game about power dynamics, inequality, and privilege, created by Simulation Training Systems. In the game, participants are divided into groups that experience different levels of privilege, and those in power are given the ability to change the rules.

Understanding systemic inequality is essential for designing equitable engineering solutions. Before engineers can create technologies that serve all communities fairly, they must first understand how power structures shape who benefits from and who is harmed by the systems we build. This simulation gives you a visceral, first-hand experience of how inequality operates and perpetuates itself.

Pre-Class Preparation

Required Reading

Read The Divide by Jason Hickel, Chapters 1–2 before this session. Come prepared to discuss how historical patterns of wealth extraction connect to present-day global inequality.

In-Class Activity (75 minutes)

The simulation unfolds over several rounds of trading and rule-making. Pay attention to how you feel at each stage and what strategies emerge across groups.

10 minutes
Setup
The instructor distributes chips/tokens randomly and unequally. Three groups form based on wealth: Stars (most chips), Triangles (middle), and Circles (fewest chips).
10 minutes
Trading Round 1
Groups trade chips with each other. The trading rules inherently favor those who start with more resources.
5 minutes
Rule Change
The Stars are given the power to change the rules for the next round. They can modify any aspect of the trading system.
10 minutes
Trading Round 2
Trading continues under the new rules set by the Stars. Observe how the rule changes affect different groups.
10 minutes
Trading Round 3
The Stars change the rules again. A third round of trading occurs under the updated system.
30 minutes
Debrief Discussion
Facilitated whole-class discussion connecting the simulation experience to real-world systems of power and inequality.

Debrief Questions

We will discuss these questions as a class. Reflect on them during the activity and take notes for your reflection assignment.

  1. How did it feel to be in your group? Did your feelings change over the course of the game?
  2. Did the Stars use their power to help others or to exploit them? Why do you think they made those choices?
  3. How does this simulation mirror real-world power structures?
  4. What parallels do you see with international development and aid? Who sets the rules in those contexts?
  5. How does understanding power dynamics change how you think about engineering solutions for communities?
  6. Connection to The Divide: How does Hickel's argument about historical wealth extraction relate to what happened in the game?

Reflection Assignment

Submit via Canvas

Write a one-page reflection connecting your Star Power experience to themes from The Divide (Chapters 1–2). Consider how the dynamics you experienced in the simulation relate to the historical and structural patterns of inequality that Hickel describes.

Due: Next class session.

Length: One page, single-spaced.

Format: PDF upload to Canvas.

Materials & Resources

The instructor will provide all physical game materials (chips, tokens, scoring sheets). The following resources provide additional background:

Star Power Materials (PDF) Simulation Training Systems