Contrived experiences are substitutes for real things that are used in education when bringing the real thing is not practical or possible. There are different types of contrived experiences including models, mock-ups, specimens, objects, simulations, and games. Models are reproductions of real things made of synthetic materials, mock-ups create representations of reality, and specimens are typical examples of a group or class. Simulations represent real events for active learner participation while games are played to win or lose.