MECC

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MECC (Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium) was an organization founded in 1973 to provide computer-based educational resources to schools in the state of Minnesota. MECC is best known for developing the popular educational game The Oregon Trail.

History

MECC was established by the state of Minnesota to support the use of computers in education. Initially, it provided time-sharing services on a mainframe computer to schools across the state. Over time, MECC expanded its offerings to include a wide range of educational software.

The Oregon Trail

One of MECC's most famous contributions to educational software is The Oregon Trail. Originally developed in 1971 by three student teachers, the game was later refined and distributed by MECC. The game simulates the experiences of pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail in the 19th century and is designed to teach students about the challenges and decisions faced by these early settlers.

Other Software

In addition to The Oregon Trail, MECC developed and distributed numerous other educational programs. These included:

• Number Munchers
• Word Munchers
• Odell Lake
• Lemonade Stand

These programs covered a variety of subjects, including mathematics, language arts, and science.

Legacy

MECC's influence on educational software was significant during the 1970s and 1980s. The organization's software was widely used in schools across the United States and helped to establish the use of computers as a valuable educational tool. In the 1990s, MECC was privatized and eventually acquired by The Learning Company.

See Also

• Educational software
• The Learning Company
• The Oregon Trail (video game)