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Simulations/Task Forces

Introduction To Task Forces (for Educators)

Why?

An important part of being an effective civic leader in society involves conceptualizing how you would tackle issues if you were in a position of authority to make necessary reforms. Each of our Task Forces are designed to help students think critically about various issues and try to brainstorm well-detailed plans to try and solve them by roleplaying as key decision-makers.

What?

Each section starts off by setting the narrative and describing what they have been tasked with. For example, a Task Force about affordable housing might indicate that the individual(s) has/have been put in charge of creating an affordable housing proposition by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

How?

The second section informs the students about why the Task Force is being done with brief background information about the severity of the issue, as well as a brief breakdown of what is being done right now. It encourages the students to critique the system and try to reform it in different ways (even if they believe the current approach is appropriate, we ask them to try and improve it).

Steps

  1. Students are first asked to create a plan, design a program, or make a decision about an issue. Topic-specific questions are asked to get them to start critically thinking. 
  2. They are tasked with thinking through the possible objections that someone could have about their designs, and how they would answer them. In cases where something is already being done, they are asked to compare their plan with the current one in place and how they better approach the issue.
  3. The last part of the Task Force involves them presenting their ideas and trying to see if they can convince other classmates that they have taken the best possible initiativ

Important Reminders

  • Each of our Task Forces can be done in groups and individually.
  • The students should be urged to come up with a few strong ideas, rather than create an exhaustive list.
  • A vote should be taken when group members cannot agree on a specific criteria, and the disagreement should be mentioned in the presentation/discussion of their Task Force.
  • Each lesson plan includes an accompanying Google Slides template to be used with virtual breakout rooms in small groups.
  • You can send us questions or requests to [email protected] if you need help implementing these in your classroom!

Simulations/Task Forces​ Collection

Standardized Testing

Task Force: Standardized Testing  Congratulations! You are members of your state board of education. You have been tasked with deciding if and how state standardized

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Not in My Backyard

Task Force: Not in My Backyard Congratulations! You are the president of your local zoning board, the group who evaluates proposals for new buildings in

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Portion sizes in the US

Task Force: Portion Sizes In the US Congratulations! The USDA has hired your team to design a new infographic that teaches people about portion sizes. 

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Redesigning Sex Education

Task Force: Redesigning Sex Education Congratulations! The US Department of Education has decided to draft national legislation on requirements for sex education in the United

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Combating Inflation

Task Force: Combating Inflation Oh no! The inflation rate is rising more rapidly than economists agree is beneficial. You have been assigned to try and

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Handling the Heatwave

Task Force: Handling the Heatwave Congratulations! California’s Climate Crisis Committee has put you in charge of preemptively designing solutions for heatwaves in the state.  Why

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Age Discrimination

Task Force: Age Discrimination Congratulations! The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has asked you to be part of its newly assembled team that will tackle

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