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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

Dress Code in Schools

Task Force: Dress Code is Schools Congratulations! You have just been hired as the Vice Principal of your local public high school. This year, you

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Accessibility to Guns

Task Force: Accessibility to Guns Congratulations! You have just been elected to your state senate. During your campaign, you promised that you would fight to

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Pollution in NYC

Task Force: Pollution in NYC Congratulations! You have been chosen by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to suggest new pollution-reducing strategies for

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Citizenship Process

Task Force: Citizenship Process Congratulations! The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has chosen you to redesign the citizenship process. Your goal is to critique

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Subsidies for Farms

Task Force: Subsidies for Farms Congratulations! The National Farmers Union has recruited you to advocate for them through a proposal to the government about leftover

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International Surrogacy Norms

Task Force: International Surrogacy Norms  Congratulations! You have been hired by the World Health Organization (WHO) to create a policy designed to create international surrogacy

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