About 80 high school students in Marlton, New Jersey engaged in all three simulations, the debriefings, and the wrap-up session.  They were assigned to write a brief essay on what they learned. Several students arrived at a better understanding of why it is difficult to get something accomplished in a legislative body.

"I learned how hard it is to pass a law with a majority in a democracy. The arguing and compromising that is needed… becomes intense and extremely confusing," concluded one student.

Another student noted that "you will never satisfy everyone."

And still another student observed that "these activities have shown us that democracy is not just a form of government but is something that is evident in our every day lives." 

A Rutgers University college student, who was preparing for a career as a social studies teacher, also commented on the Appreciating Democracy restaurant activity as a way to introduce the topic of democracy.

"When thinking back to my high school history classes," she reported, "I don't think I ever participated in an activity like that.  I think that if teachers would try to relate the material to something in the real world that the students can relate to, then maybe students would be more interested in learning the material."