Social Studies

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7th, 8th, 9th, 10th

Cuban Missile Crisis simulation as JFK

Have students play the role of JFK during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and simulate decision making while responding to updates from AI role-playing as advisors.

Student session screenshot along with a picture of JFK and a rocket emoji.
Student session screenshot along with a picture of JFK and a rocket emoji.
Student session screenshot along with a picture of JFK and a rocket emoji.

Teaching goals

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a pivotal event during the Cold War, but teaching the nuances of the personalities and decision-making at play during the Crisis can be challenging.

Below, we can see how a teacher can use Flint to create an AI tutor specifically designed to help students understand JFK’s dilemma during the Crisis. The teacher has supplemented the AI with two optional resources: a high-level summary of the event and a transcript of President Kennedy's Address to the Nation.

Learning objective:

Students should understand the dilemma that JFK was faced with during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Dept. of State Office of the Historian | Cuban Missile Crisis

Extra customization

Next, Flint provided the teacher with three conversation formats to choose from. These ideas are generated automatically by the AI, based on the learning objective that the teacher provided.

Three tutor type options including a news report, role play, and interactive map, with the role play being selected.

The teacher chose the role play that requires students to imagine themselves in the shows of JFK and have them apply their knowledge to a conversation with an AI advisor to the President. To assign this activity for students to complete, the teacher can set a deadline for students to interact with the AI (e.g. ahead of an in-class discussion).

Screenshot of student session with the deadline set for Monday at 11:05am.

Student experience

In the conversation with the AI, students can play the role of JFK and navigate the Cuban Missile Crisis. The AI will play the role of President Kennedy’s advisors, and will challenge the student’s understanding of the crisis.

Screenshot of student session where Flint is pushing the student to consider the risks and benefits of their decision.

To increase immersion, students can use Flint’s speech-to-text feature to speak to the AI, and click “listen” to hear the AI speak back to them.

Screenshot of student session showing how students can speak a message aloud to the tutor.

Extra customization

Next, Flint provided the teacher with three conversation formats to choose from. These ideas are generated automatically by the AI, based on the learning objective that the teacher provided.

Three tutor type options including a news report, role play, and interactive map, with the role play being selected.

The teacher chose the role play that requires students to imagine themselves in the shows of JFK and have them apply their knowledge to a conversation with an AI advisor to the President. To assign this activity for students to complete, the teacher can set a deadline for students to interact with the AI (e.g. ahead of an in-class discussion).

Screenshot of student session with the deadline set for Monday at 11:05am.

Social Studies

|

7th, 8th, 9th, 10th

Cuban Missile Crisis simulation as JFK

Student session screenshot along with a picture of JFK and a rocket emoji.

Teaching goals

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a pivotal event during the Cold War, but teaching the nuances of the personalities and decision-making at play during the Crisis can be challenging.

Below, we can see how a teacher can use Flint to create an AI tutor specifically designed to help students understand JFK’s dilemma during the Crisis. The teacher has supplemented the AI with two optional resources: a high-level summary of the event and a transcript of President Kennedy's Address to the Nation.

Learning objective:

Students should understand the dilemma that JFK was faced with during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Dept. of State Office of the Historian | Cuban Missile Crisis

Extra customization

Next, Flint provided the teacher with three conversation formats to choose from. These ideas are generated automatically by the AI, based on the learning objective that the teacher provided.

Three tutor type options including a news report, role play, and interactive map, with the role play being selected.

The teacher chose the role play that requires students to imagine themselves in the shows of JFK and have them apply their knowledge to a conversation with an AI advisor to the President. To assign this activity for students to complete, the teacher can set a deadline for students to interact with the AI (e.g. ahead of an in-class discussion).

Screenshot of student session with the deadline set for Monday at 11:05am.

Student experience

In the conversation with the AI, students can play the role of JFK and navigate the Cuban Missile Crisis. The AI will play the role of President Kennedy’s advisors, and will challenge the student’s understanding of the crisis.

Screenshot of student session where Flint is pushing the student to consider the risks and benefits of their decision.

To increase immersion, students can use Flint’s speech-to-text feature to speak to the AI, and click “listen” to hear the AI speak back to them.

Screenshot of student session showing how students can speak a message aloud to the tutor.

Other Social Studies teacher testimonials:

"Flint has been a game changer in the classroom - it is like having a personal tutor for each student, and a creative teaching partner all rolled into one.  Students can have conversations that prod their thinking and push their comprehension. They receive instant feedback on their work which is both encouraging and constructive, enabling them to make targeted improvements. And - they love it!"

Sherry Pielsticker headshot

Sherry Pielsticker

6th grade humanities teacher at The York School

“Flint has really made my job a lot more fun. The kids love Flint, and are asking me to use it more! For students that struggled, Flint gently put them back on track. I could do that myself, but not at 9pm at night when students are reviewing for a quiz. Flint’s AI runs personalized review sessions for me, and I can follow up with a kid if they’re stuck.”

William Heyler headshot

William Heyler

History teacher at 'Iolani

Spark AI-powered learning at your school.

Sign up to start using Flint, free for up to 80 users.

Watch the video

Spark AI-powered learning at your school.

Sign up to start using Flint, free for up to 80 users.

Watch the video

Spark AI-powered learning at your school.

Sign up to start using Flint, free for up to 80 users.

Watch the video