
Model UN: Climate Action Summit
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can nations collaborate to create and implement effective and equitable policies to address the diverse economic and social impacts of climate change while balancing environmental protection with economic development, considering various perspectives and ethical implications?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do differing perspectives on climate change influence international policy-making?
- What are the economic and social consequences of climate change on a global scale?
- How can international cooperation mitigate the effects of climate change?
- What policy solutions are most effective in balancing environmental protection with economic development?
- What are the ethical considerations surrounding climate action and its impact on different nations?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to research and understand the diverse economic and social impacts of climate change on different nations.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsGlobal Blackout
A sudden global blackout. Students receive a breaking news alert about a worldwide power outage caused by an unforeseen climate event. They must immediately convene an emergency Model UN session to address the crisis.National Crisis Dossiers
Students receive personalized dossiers outlining the specific climate change impacts on an assigned nation. They must then analyze these impacts and prepare for negotiations, considering their nation's economic and social vulnerabilities.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.National Vulnerability Assessment
Students analyze their assigned nation's vulnerability to climate change, considering economic and social factors.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA vulnerability report outlining potential climate change impacts on their assigned nation, considering economic and social factors, and potential policy solutions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsResearches and understands diverse economic and social impacts of climate change on different nations.International Climate Debate
Students engage in a mock debate, representing their assigned nation's perspective on climate change policy.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA record of the debate, including key arguments and proposed solutions from each nation.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsUnderstands differing perspectives on climate change and how they influence policy-making.Draft Resolution Collaboration
Students work collaboratively to draft a resolution addressing climate change, incorporating diverse perspectives and policy solutions.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA draft resolution addressing climate change, incorporating diverse perspectives and policy solutions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsDevelops and proposes policy solutions for climate change, balancing environmental protection with economic development.Resolution Presentation and Defense
Students present and defend their draft resolution, addressing potential challenges and ethical considerations.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA revised resolution incorporating feedback and addressing potential challenges and ethical considerations.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsEvaluates the effectiveness and ethical implications of different policy solutions for climate change.Resolution Implementation Simulation
Students simulate the implementation of their resolution, considering potential obstacles and long-term impacts.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report summarizing the simulated implementation of the resolution, including successes, challenges, and reflections on the process.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsImplements and reflects on policy solutions for climate change through international cooperation.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioModel UN Climate Action Summit Rubric
Research and Analysis
Evaluates the depth and accuracy of research and analysis regarding national vulnerabilities and policy solutions.Depth of Research
Assesses the comprehensiveness of research into the assigned nation's economic and social structures.
Exemplary
4 PointsResearch is thorough and encompasses a wide range of both economic and social structures with nuanced insights.
Proficient
3 PointsResearch is comprehensive and covers essential economic and social structures effectively.
Developing
2 PointsResearch is basic, covering some economic and social structures but lacks depth.
Beginning
1 PointsResearch is incomplete, lacking key information about economic and social structures.
Analysis of Impacts
Measures the ability to identify and analyze how climate change affects key industries, population, and resources.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies a comprehensive array of impacts with detailed and insightful analysis.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies significant impacts and provides clear and accurate analysis.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some impacts with basic analysis, but lacks clarity and depth.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify impacts and provides minimal analysis.
Policy Solution Development
Evaluates the proposal of viable policy solutions based on research and analysis.
Exemplary
4 PointsProposes innovative and well-reasoned policy solutions that align with research findings.
Proficient
3 PointsProposes logical policy solutions that are clearly linked to research findings.
Developing
2 PointsProposes basic policy solutions with some connection to research findings.
Beginning
1 PointsProposes incomplete policy solutions with little connection to research findings.
Collaborative Debate and Communication
Assesses the participation and effectiveness in the structured debate and communication of policy positions.Quality of Arguments
Evaluates the strength and clarity of arguments presented during the debate.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents compelling and logically sound arguments with well-supported evidence.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents clear and logical arguments with appropriate evidence.
Developing
2 PointsPresents basic arguments with some evidence, but lacks depth and clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to present coherent arguments and provides minimal evidence.
Engagement in Debate
Measures active participation and responsiveness during the international climate debate.
Exemplary
4 PointsActively engages throughout the debate, demonstrating leadership and responsiveness.
Proficient
3 PointsConsistently participates and responds effectively during the debate.
Developing
2 PointsParticipates in parts of the debate but lacks consistency and engagement.
Beginning
1 PointsParticipates minimally and shows limited engagement in the debate.
Collaborative Solution Development
Assesses collaboration in drafting and negotiating policy resolutions in groups.Integration of Perspectives
Evaluates the incorporation of diverse viewpoints in the collaborative drafting process.
Exemplary
4 PointsFully integrates diverse perspectives, resulting in a balanced and inclusive resolution.
Proficient
3 PointsIncorporates multiple perspectives to create a comprehensive resolution.
Developing
2 PointsConsiders some perspectives but final resolution lacks balance.
Beginning
1 PointsLimited integration of perspectives, resulting in a narrow resolution.
Resolution Development
Measures the ability to collaboratively develop a coherent and effective resolution addressing climate change issues.
Exemplary
4 PointsDevelops a highly coherent and impactful resolution with innovative solutions.
Proficient
3 PointsDevelops a coherent resolution with clear and effective solutions.
Developing
2 PointsDevelops a basic resolution with some effective solutions but lacks coherence.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to develop a coherent resolution with minimal effective solutions.
Final Presentation and Evaluation
Evaluates the presentation and defense of the final draft resolution, including consideration of ethical and practical implications.Presentation Clarity
Assesses the clarity and effectiveness of the presentation of the resolution to the Model UN assembly.
Exemplary
4 PointsDelivers a clear, persuasive, and well-structured presentation that engages the audience effectively.
Proficient
3 PointsDelivers a clear and structured presentation that communicates key points effectively.
Developing
2 PointsDelivers a presentation that communicates some key points but lacks clarity and structure.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to deliver a clear presentation and communicates few key points.
Ethical Consideration
Measures the consideration of ethical implications and equitable responsibility distribution in the resolution.
Exemplary
4 PointsThoroughly addresses ethical implications and equitably distributes responsibilities.
Proficient
3 PointsAddresses key ethical implications and manages responsibility distribution fairly.
Developing
2 PointsConsiders some ethical implications but uneven responsibility distribution.
Beginning
1 PointsLimited consideration of ethical implications and responsibility distribution.
Reflection and Adaptation
Assesses the reflection on the implementation simulation and the ability to adapt based on feedback.Reflective Thinking
Evaluates the depth of reflection on the simulation process and outcomes.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides deep and insightful reflections showing clear understanding of the simulation's complexities.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides clear and thoughtful reflections on key aspects of the simulation.
Developing
2 PointsProvides basic reflections with some insights on the simulation process.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides limited reflections and insights on the simulation.
Adaptability
Measures the ability to adapt strategies and solutions based on challenges encountered during the simulation.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional adaptability in overcoming challenges with innovative solutions.
Proficient
3 PointsAdapts well to challenges, finding effective solutions.
Developing
2 PointsShows some ability to adapt but often struggles to find effective solutions.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to adapt strategies and solutions when faced with challenges.