College classrooms today include students from various backgrounds and experiences. The different experiences of students can create challenges when trying to encourage discussion and participation, especially related to topics of politics, history, identity, and equity. But creating a culture of empathy and respect can support positive classroom dynamics (Harbin et al., 2019). Research has shown that icebreaker activities increase positive attitudes toward peers (Fekete, 2022) and an increased commitment to learning (Artati, 2021).
