Role play is a form of experiential learning that gives participants
direct experience with the content surrounding an issue, and
provides an opportunity to develop and practice skills such as
perspective-taking, problem-solving, and negotiation. Participants
take on the personality and background of an individual or group and
interact with others in the context of a specific situation, gaining
exposure to multiple perspectives while exploring the challenges of
solving complex public-policy issues. At the end of the dialogue,
participants look at the content from a much wider perspective from
having "stood in the shoes" of the actual participants, and they can
reflect on the outcomes and the effects of different approaches to
problem solving that they and their peers used during the
experience.
Use these two role plays to explore the interplay between population
and the environment introduced in NOVA's "World in the Balance"
program in classrooms, community organizations, faith-based
organizations, and other settings.
WHO WILL TAKE THE HEAT?
Today, the U.S. is the biggest contributor to emissions that cause
global warming. In a few short years, China is expected to assume
that role. In this role play, students look at how these two
countries might work together to address the problem of global
warming.
U.S. government official
China government official
Environmentalist
Business leader
THE GROWING OF AMERICA
The U.S. population is aging and becoming more ethnically diverse.
The birth rate is at an all-time low. However, America's population
is expected to increase from 281 million in 2000 to 394 million or
more in 2050, an increase driven primarily by immigration. In this
role play, participants assume the role of a variety of groups to
explore how immigration, an aging population, and the environment
intersect, and what our future may look like.
Global environmental group
U.S. environmental group
Pro-immigration elderly advocacy group
Anti-immigration elderly advocacy group
These role plays were developed by Workable Peace. Visit
www.workablepeace.org for more role plays where students can explore
history and current events as they develop conflict-management
skills.
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