Supreme Court Fantasy' Game Helps Students Learn Cases

Although the Supreme Court often has the highest approval rating among the three branches of government, it is also the branch that the American public knows the least about. 

Not for long.

A new fantasy game allows players (and especially high school students) to learn about Supreme Court cases in a fun way.

The web-based game, FantasyScotus.org, was modeled after popular fantasy sports games. But instead of drafting players and trading through a faux football season, the players are given a chance to analyze current and past high-profile Supreme Court cases and guess the outcome. Players are awarded points and other honors based on their guesses in the Supreme Court fantasy game, CNN reports.

"It's not dry history. These cases are live, they're new. The big thing is that they haven't been decided. High school students in the past have been told to accept the law, but here they can participate and have a stake in the outcome, by making predictions," game creator Josh Blackman, 26, told CNN. Blackman developed the game in his spare time with friends and is currently clerking for a judge in Pennsylvania and hopes to ultimately become a law professor.

Some topics players can chime in on include: violent video game bans by states and the free speech rights of a religious group that screams loudly in protest at a funeral home.

Funded by private donations, the game is free for all participants. Hopefully increased participation and familiarity with the Supreme Court will also translate to a greater awareness of the important decisions the court makes.

Related Resources:

• Supreme Court (FindLaw's LawBrain)
• Most Insignificant Supreme Court Justice (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)