Switch City
A serious board game about the energy transition that turns classroom theory into lively debates and strategic decision-making.
The Challenge
Students learn about the energy transition in a masterclass, but theory alone doesn't stick. Darel Education needed an engaging afternoon program that would let students experience the complexity of transitioning a city to sustainable energy, the trade-offs, the teamwork, and the consequences of every decision.
How It Works
In the classroom, five teams each manage a different neighbourhood of Switch City. From a historic city centre to a new housing development, greenhouses, farmland, and an industrial zone, every area has its own energy needs and goals. But there is also a shared objective: make the entire city sustainable while ensuring there is enough energy for everyone.
Key Features
Team Strategy
Five teams collaborate, plan ahead, invest, and negotiate, balancing their own neighbourhood goals with the city-wide sustainability target.
CO2 Scoreboard
After every round, teams are measured against the CO2 target. A digital scoreboard shows the meter, standings, and progress in real time.
Real Consequences
Each round reveals the impact of decisions, not just for your own neighbourhood, but across the interconnected city as a whole.
Classroom Debrief
After the game, the class discusses tactics and choices together, linking the masterclass theory to the hands-on experience for surprising insights.
The Result
Switch City sparks energy in the classroom, it consistently leads to heated debates and plenty of fun among students. By putting theory into practice, students gain a deeper understanding of the energy transition, the trade-offs involved, and the power of working together toward a sustainable future.