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

Strengthening the UN

Task Force: Strengthening the UN Congratulations! You are part of a special committee organized by the United Nations that seeks to strengthen its functions and

Suing Your Parents

Task Force: Suing Your Parents Oh no! Your friend turned 18 last week, and has been questioning why their parents made the decision to give

Universal Basic Income or Means Tested

Task Force: Universal Basic Income or Means Tested Congratulations! You have been hired by the Department of Treasury to decide between universal basic income and

White House Briefing

Task Force: White House Briefing Congratulations! You have been hired as Chief of Staff for the President of the United States. You will have the

Ethical Standards for Animal Testing

Task Force: Ethical Standards for Animal Testing Congratulations! The People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has put you in charge of designing a

Voting During COVID-19

Task Force: Voting During COVID-19 Congratulations! You have been tasked with making sure that every person who is eligible and wants to vote in the

Vaccine Development and Distribution

Task Force: Vaccine Development and Distribution Congratulations! The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has put you in charge of the distribution of a newly

Tragedy Of The Commons

Task Force: Tragedy Of The Commons Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in a thought experiment to analyze the effects of an economic concept.

Reform The Justice System

Task Force: Reform the Justice System Congratulations! The federal committee of crime has elected you to recreate and reform the justice system in the United

Resource Allocation For Special Needs Program

Task Force: Resource Allocation For Special Needs Program Congratulations! Your school board has assigned you to be in charge of resource allocation for the special