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Extensive Climate Education resources are available through CLEAN and the Teach the Earth climate collection.

Game: Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Role-Play Exercise -- CLEAN

Patrick Callahan
Initial Publication Date: April 29, 2016

Summary

Selected for the CLEAN Collection. The activity description was developed by CLEAN reviewers

In this role-play activity, students take the roles of various important players in the climate change policy debate including politicians, scientists, environmentalists, and industry representatives. Working in these roles, students must take a position, debate with others, and then vote on legislation designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Can be used in a variety of courses including writing and rhetoric, and social sciences.


Learning Goals

Climate change science and climate change policy-making For students to explore the complexity and subtle aspects of the issue of climate change and eliminate black-and-white thinking about this issue. For students to develop skills of taking initiative, communication, problem-solving, and working collaboratively.

Description and Teaching Materials

Explore >> Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Role-Play Exercise http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/roleplaying/examples/34147.html

Teaching Notes and Tips

By CLEAN Reviewers

  • Activity should be done at the end of a unit on climate change, after students have learned some of the science behind the issue.
  • See tips provided by the developer in the activity sheet.
  • It might be interesting to collaborate with a politics/government studies class when doing this activity, with each group being a mixture of students from both classes.
  • The convention can be made more realistic with a simple PowerPoint described in activity sheet.

About the Science

  • Uses Copenhagen Diagnosis 2009 to engage students in role-play discussion of climate change.
  • Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.

About the Pedagogy

  • Students explore roles that may challenge their personal feelings or beliefs; helps bring into focus the complexity of global energy issues and politics.
  • A rubric and teaching notes are included for the instructor.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

  • The assignment handout is well-written and clear, and includes assessment information.
  • To run a "good convention" a lot of preparation is required of the instructor.

Assessment

Assessment recommendation from the lead author, K.M. Theissen, University of St. Thomas, Pedagogy in Action Collection from SERC:

A rubric used to grade student work on this exercise is included in the assignment handout. If time permits, ask the students for feedback on the exercise.

References and Resources

http://cleanet.org/