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  1. Harry S. Truman
  2. Educational Resources
  3. The White House Decision Center

The White House Decision Center

Welcome to The White House Decision Center, a nationally recognized hands-on history lab where participants step into the roles of President Truman and his advisors, work with formerly classified primary source documents, and collaborate to tackle some of history’s greatest challenges.

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logo for White House Decision Center
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The White House Decision Center Student

Student skills

The White House Decision Center provides a unique setting to enrich course content and practice historical methods including:

  • Close reading and information gathering

  • Primary source analysis

  • Comparing and contrasting multiple points of view

  • Synthesizing complex information

  • Group cooperation and communication

  • Speech writing and public speaking

  • Crafting evidence-based solutions for a complex problem

Simulations

  • Ending the War with Japan

  • Addressing Postwar Civil Rights in the U.S. Armed Forces

  • Reacting to the Soviet Blockade of Berlin

  • Responding to the Communist Invasion of South Korea

  •  The United States and the Question of Palestine, 1948

Student Program

The White House Decision Center is a unique venue for experiential and collaborative learning. Set in a recreated West Wing, The White House Decision Center challenges students to step into the roles of President Truman and his advisors to tackle some of the greatest challenges ever faced by a world leader. The White House Decision Center is designed to complement a rigorous course of study and to meet national standards for grades 6-12. 

For more information, see here.

University Program

The White House Decision Center program provides students first-hand experience in crisis management, world affairs, political science, and history. Participants step into the roles of President Truman and his advisors to tackle some of the greatest challenges faced by any world leader. The WHDC challenges your students’ abilities to quickly synthesize complex information gleaned from the now-declassified primary sources that President Truman and his advisors read, work cooperatively in teams, resolve conflicts creatively, formulate recommendations, make and defend critical decisions, negotiate win-win solutions and lead like a head of state.

More information here.

Adult Team Building

The White House Decision Center program isn’t your typical high-ropes course but a high-stakes team-building experience like no other. Set in a recreated West Wing, participants step into the roles of President Truman and his advisors to tackle some of the greatest challenges faced by any world leader. But unlike team-building courses that challenge your physical stamina, The WHDC challenges your ability to quickly synthesize complex information, work cooperatively in teams, resolve conflicts creatively, formulate recommendations, make and defend critical decisions, negotiate win-win solutions and lead like a head of state.

More information here.

Contact

Sadie Troy, Education Specialist; White House Decision Center Director
Email | thewhitehousedecisioncenter@gmail.com 
Phone | 816.268.8241