Simulations/Task Forces

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

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.
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.
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

Medical Board & Euthanasia

Task Force: Medical Board & Euthanasia Congratulations! You have been working for the hospital board at a local hospital for five years! At your latest

Naming Your Child

Task Force: Naming Your Child Congratulations! You have been hired to set federal policies for naming children in the United States. You will be in

New Tax System

Task Force: New Tax System Congratulations! You have been selected to design an entirely new tax system for the United States. Your task is to

Old Age and Loneliness

Task Force: Old Age and Loneliness Congratulations! You have been put in charge of a retirement home in your local area after the current owner

Organ Donation Rules

Task Force: Organ Donation Rules Congratulations! You are part of the hospital board at your local hospital and are tasked to come up with specific

Redo Borders

Task Force: Redo Borders Congratulations! You have been chosen to research a border dispute and try to solve it by redoing the border. You are

Regulating Healthy Eating

Task Force: Regulating Healthy Eating Congratulations! You have been hired as the health commissioner in your state. Your goal is to promote healthy eating in

Regulating Social Media Companies

Task Force: Regulating Social Media Companies Congratulations! You have been hired to join the board of directors for the popular social media platform, Twitter. Your

Religion in School

Task Force: Religion in School Congratulations! You have been selected to take part in a new initiative that seeks to improve teaching about religion and

Sports Council on Genetic Enhancement

Task Force: Sports Council on Genetic Enhancement Congratulations! You have been hired to join a sports council on genetic enhancement. Your objective is to outline