More Good Trouble: Journey Through Civil Rights History

29 Jan 2025 Lessons in Good Trouble

“You must find a way to get in the way. You must find a way to get in trouble – good trouble, necessary trouble.”

These words from Congressman John Lewis have inspired generations to stand up for what’s right. And they inspired Atlanta educators Felisa Ford and Natasha Rachell to build Lessons in Good Trouble, an unforgettable Minecraft Education learning experience that originally launched in 2020 for both Minecraft and Minecraft Education. Now, after over 10 million downloads and nearly five years, we are thrilled to be re-releasing this groundbreaking content with new and improved gameplay and teaching materials.

With an updated Minecraft world and lesson plan designed for students ages 8-14, Lessons in Good Trouble lets students step into pivotal moments of the Civil Rights Movement and discover their own power to create change. From the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to the streets of modern-day protests, Lessons in Good Trouble allows young people to experience firsthand how peaceful resistance can transform our world.


Standing Up, Speaking Out

At the center of this updated experience stands a virtual library where students meet Librarian Maia, who participated in these historic moments. Through her eyes, students join John Lewis and other brave activists in their fight for justice to witness how ordinary people summoned extraordinary courage to change the course of history, often putting their safety on the line.

Alongside Librarian Maia, students will participate in the Selma to Montgomery marches, where Lewis’s unwavering commitment to nonviolent protest profoundly shaped American history. They will walk with Lewis and others across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday, witness Dr. King’s strategic leadership on Turnaround Tuesday, and finally arrive at the state capitol in Montgomery. Through an immersive, emotionally resonant journey, students learn firsthand that “good trouble” can arise wherever injustice exists, reminding them that standing up for what’s right is not just an American ideal, but a universal responsibility.

In game screenshot of Lessons in Good Trouble

 

Global Icons of “Good Trouble”

The struggle for civil rights knows no borders. In Lessons in Good Trouble, students will meet leaders who started “good trouble” around the world through engaging mini-games where they participate in other civil rights movements:

  • Malala Yousafzai’s courageous stand for girls’ education in Pakistan
  • Nelson Mandela’s unwavering fight against apartheid in South Africa
  • Mahatma Gandhi’s pioneering of nonviolent resistance in India
  • Emmeline Pankhurst’s determined campaign for women’s suffrage in the UK

These interconnected stories highlight how different cultures have confronted social and political challenges, proving that the power to create positive change lies within every community. By drawing parallels across continents and generations, students see how universal values of fairness and solidarity unite people seeking justice.

How to Bring “Good Trouble” to Your Classroom

Lessons in Good Trouble is available in Minecraft Education (Library and Demo) and free on the Minecraft Marketplace for Bedrock players.

To support educators in delivering this powerful content, the Lessons in Good Trouble update includes many resources and supporting materials. Begin with an introductory video featuring the creators of Lessons in Good Trouble and the CEO of the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, in which they discuss John Lewis’s life, key moments from the Civil Rights Movement, and the enduring impact of other leaders who started “good trouble.” From there, explore comprehensive teaching resources including:

  • Discussion prompts
  • Guided reflection activities
  • Cross-curricular integration suggestions
  • Assessment tools

By making historical events tangible and relatable, teachers can help students see that civic engagement starts with everyday acts of empathy and bravery. Together, we can inspire the next generation of changemakers to live up to John Lewis’s example by standing up, speaking up, and speaking out for justice.

Start by making good trouble in your classroom!