The Island
Scholars in Amsterdam and New York join forces in adventure
In 2009, it was 400 years ago that Henry Hudson crossed the ocean to search for a way to sail through North America. He did not find a way through, but did discover a fertile land that was later called Albany and which we nowadays all know as New York. In association with John Adams Institute we followed in the footsteps of Hudson, this time using mobile technology, in the educational project The Island.
The Island is a game-based adventure in which the players will have to fulfill assignments together to get to the next level. By using mobile technology they participated in a trading game – online and on the street, by finding the best deals for their goods.
The aim is to visualize the historical links between The Netherlands and the United States for pupils of secondary education, and to re-live the past. In innovative ways history, culture education and cultural exchange will be brought together.
The stories and personages will be taken from the book The Island at the Centre of the World van Russell Shorto , which covers the rise of the city New York.
The video below shows the first pilot in May 2009. On 12 September, pupils on the streets of New York and Amsterdam played the mobile game The Island.
The Island is developed for the Hudson Year 2009 and is supported by:
- The municipality of Amsterdam
- The Holland America Friendship Foundation
- The Netherland America Foundation
