of 8th graders are not proficient in civics
NAEP Civics Assessment, 2018
Americans can’t name a single branch of government.
Annenberg Civics Knowledge Survey, 2023
of rural youth, and about 1 in 3 suburban and urban youth, live in “civic deserts.”
Civic Health Index, 2017
of Gen Z students say they aren’t having even one engaging classroom experience.
Gallup/ Walton Voices of Gen Z, 2024
Grounding learning in familiar locations deepens engagement by helping players explore topics through a local lens.
Beacon is a location-based learning game that transforms communities into interactive classrooms. Players become explorers: navigating maps, unlocking digital “beacons,” and completing challenges tied to real-world places—libraries, parks, city halls, and local landmarks.
The gameplay mixes curiosity and competition with real-world discovery. Players might solve trivia about local history, interview a community leader, capture photos of public art, or collect oral stories from neighbors. Each challenge builds knowledge—and also the sense that what they do in their community matters.
This works because learning is most powerful when it’s active and connected to real experiences. Instead of memorizing abstract facts, players learn by doing in the very places they pass every day.
Beacon begins with civics because every student deserves the chance to understand and engage with the place they call home. But the same model can help them discover their community’s history, explore local ecosystems, or imagine future careers—all while strengthening their connection to the world just outside their door. Whatever the topic, Beacon makes learning local, memorable, and fun.
Beacon was created by Libby Falck with the help of interns, volunteers, and community partners. An educator with k-college teaching experience, Libby previously worked at iCivics, the MIT Teaching Systems Lab, and IDEAco on projects that combine technology, storytelling, and design to engage millions of learners. She founded Forward Labs to continue that work, building tools and experiences that connect civics, history, and STEAM learning to everyday life.
Beacon has been supported by The Local Government Institute of Wisconsin, Create Wisconsin (fiscal sponsor), MIT Sandbox, and the MIT PKG Center, alongside the energy of volunteers who believe in making learning fun, local, and hands-on!