Awkward Moment

Awkward Moment® is a playing-card party game. It was developed by the Tiltfactor Lab as part of a National Science Foundation-funded project called “Transforming Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) For Women and Girls: Reworking Stereotypes & Bias.”^[1][2] It is a 20-minute game for middle and high school students (ages 12 and up) that places players in socially awkward circumstances. The game won Meaningful Play's Best Non-Digital Game Award in 2012.^[3]

Awkward Moment game components

Gameplay

Players take turns assuming the role of the Decider. The Decider reveals a Moment Card that describes a humorous, embarrassing, or stressful situation for the group and a Decider Card that provides a guideline for choosing a winning Reaction. Players submit a Reaction Card from their hand face down, and the Decider selects the Reaction Card that they think is the best response to the Moment, given the Decider Card's rule.^[4]

Research

The gameplay of Awkward Moment encourages players to consider other's viewpoints and assess their own biases.^[5] Data suggests that Awkward Moment strengthens associations between women and STEM and reduces people's trained biases.^[6][7]