People's Pie

People’s Pie is a civics learning game developed with iCivics that focuses on the federal budgeting process. Players create and balance a national budget by making decisions about taxes, borrowing, and spending while responding to citizen satisfaction and economic conditions.

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GEE! AWARDS
2023 formal learning (middle+) winner
Platform:
mobile
web
Subject:
civics
Genre:
strategy
Art:
2d
Release:
2012
Age:
adolescents

Nationally-recognized game-based learning platform & games for teaching civics

People’s Pie is a civics learning game developed with iCivics that focuses on the federal budgeting process. Players create and balance a national budget by making decisions about taxes, borrowing, and spending while responding to citizen satisfaction and economic conditions. This simulation requires players to navigate the difficult trade-offs between funding essential services and maintaining fiscal responsibility to see how federal tax dollars are distributed.

Learning focus

Federal Budgeting, National Debt & Deficits, Fiscal Policy, Taxation & Spending

GAME FEATURES

Create a national budget

Allocate funds across government priorities while maintaining balance.

Adjust taxes and borrowing

Set tax levels and borrowing amounts to support spending decisions.

Manage citizen satisfaction

Respond to public reactions tied to budget choices.

Review fiscal outcomes

Observe how decisions affect the national budget and debt.

Core Learning Outcomes:
  • Identify major components of the federal budget
  • Analyze how tax and spending policies affect deficits and debt
  • Evaluate tradeoffs involved in national fiscal decision making
  • Explain the role of taxes in funding government services
Why This Project Matters

National budgets reflect policy priorities and economic constraints. People’s Pie helps learners understand how fiscal decisions are made by requiring them to balance public needs, revenue, and spending while observing the consequences of budget choices.

Measured Impact Across Contexts

5%
User Rating
5%
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5%
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5%
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5%
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5%
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5%
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Awards & Recognition

"Filament's attention to mission and commitment to creating top-shelf learning experiences has resulted in an extremely productiv e partnership. They understand the complexity of serving educators while meeting our organizational goals."

Carrie Ray-Hill
Director of Digital Learning, iCivics
GEE! AWARDS
2023 formal learning (middle+) winner
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