Give Me Liberty Bus Aplication

Overview

The Liberty Bus project by United We Pledge brings civics education to fifth-grade students through a mobile classroom experience. I designed an interactive voting software where children select the rights they find most important, using a cartoon-inspired aesthetic to make the experience fun and relatable for young learners.

The Company

United We Pledge is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting patriotism and civics education among youth. Through its "Give Me Liberty" program, it teaches foundational American principles, focusing on key historical documents like the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The Liberty Bus extends this mission, making civics engaging and accessible for children nationwide.

The Problem

Children often find civics education abstract and unrelatable, leading to a lack of engagement with these critical topics. United We Pledge identified a need to make civics learning both interactive and memorable. The challenge was to design a software solution that:

  1. Captures the attention of fifth-grade students.
  2. Simplifies complex topics like rights and responsibilities.
  3. Encourages active participation through a voting mechanism.
  4. Aligns with the broader goal of fostering an appreciation for civics.

Solution

  •  To address these challenges, we created a voting software tailored to the needs of young learners. Key features and design decisions include.
  • Cartoon-Inspired Interface: The UI uses vibrant colors, playful fonts, and engaging illustrations to create a fun and approachable experience for children. Screens include:
  • Results Screen: Features a dynamic leaderboard with cartoon icons representing each right, colorful star ratings, and vote counts, as seen in the provided design.
  • Voting Screen: Utilizes large, interactive star ratings with bold prompts to make voting intuitive and visually appealing.
  • Selection Screen: Showcases rights through visually distinct cards with icons and bold labels, arranged in a grid for easy navigation.
  • Interactive Videos: Before voting on each right, students watch two short videos—one explaining the importance of the right and another illustrating how life would be without it. These videos provide context and stimulate critical thinking.
  • Simplified Content: Complex rights and civic concepts were broken down into kid-friendly language, ensuring clarity and comprehension.
  • Gamified Voting Experience: The voting process was designed to feel like a game, with animated feedback and progress indicators to keep students engaged.
  • Additional Educational Content: Beyond the voting software, the Liberty Bus provides other interactive explanations and activities, such as exhibits about the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and American historical figures. These elements enrich the overall educational experience.

The Problem

The voting software has made civics education more engaging and accessible for fifth graders by using interactive, visually appealing, and cartoon-inspired elements. Both students and educators have given positive feedback, noting that the software helps bring civic topics to life and makes them easier and more enjoyable to understand, especially within the Liberty Bus experience.

More of the project

Give me liberty bus video: