State Building Simulator: A Nation Design Game
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State Building Simulator: A Nation Design Game

Grade 11Social Studies5 days
In this project, 11th-grade students design a state-building simulation game to explore the multifaceted factors influencing a nation's formation, growth, and potential decline. Students research social, cultural, and environmental elements, analyze historical conflicts, and simulate revolutionary events to understand state-building complexities. The project uses a detailed rubric to assess students' understanding of state-building through game design and critical reflection.
State BuildingSimulation GameHistorical ConflictsCultural FactorsEnvironmental FactorsNation DesignRevolutionary Events
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a state-building simulation game that demonstrates the impact of social, cultural, and environmental factors, conflicts, and historical events on a nation's formation, growth, and potential dissolution?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How do social, cultural, and environmental factors influence the formation, growth, and decline of nations?
  • What are the short-term and long-term consequences of conflicts and their resolutions on state building?
  • In what ways can historical events, such as revolutions and wars, shape the trajectory of a nation's development?
  • What factors contribute to the rise and fall of leaders and empires?
  • How do internal and external pressures impact a nation's stability and survival?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand the multifaceted factors influencing state building.
  • Analyze the short- and long-term impacts of conflicts.
  • Apply knowledge of historical events to game design.

Teacher Specified

HS.H1.2
Primary
Explain and compare how social, cultural, and environmental factors influenced state-building, expansion, and dissolution.Reason: Directly addresses the influence of social, cultural, and environmental factors on state building, expansion, and dissolution, which is a core element of the project.
HS.H2.3
Primary
Evaluate the short- and long- term impacts of conflicts and their resolutions.Reason: Focuses on the impact of conflicts and resolutions, an important aspect of state building and dissolution as explored in the game.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.2
Secondary
Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data.Reason: Students will need to integrate information from various sources to design their state-building simulation, make informed decisions, and solve problems related to state development and conflict resolution.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Nation Creation Challenge

Students receive a limited set of resources and conflicting societal values to establish a thriving nation, sparking debate and strategic decision-making. Initial nations quickly face crises, mirroring real-world state-building challenges and prompting deeper investigation.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Nation Profile Creation

Students will create a detailed profile of their chosen nation, outlining its social, cultural, and environmental characteristics. This profile will serve as the foundation for understanding how these factors influence the nation's development and trajectory.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research and select a specific geographic region and time period for your nation.
2. Identify and describe the key social structures, cultural values, and environmental conditions of your nation.
3. Explain how these factors might interact to shape the nation's initial state-building efforts.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive nation profile document that includes a description of its social, cultural, and environmental characteristics.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses HS.H1.2 by requiring students to explain how social, cultural, and environmental factors influence state-building.
Activity 2

Conflict Analysis Report

Students will analyze a significant historical conflict that impacted their nation, evaluating its short-term and long-term consequences on state building and stability.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Identify a major historical conflict that affected your nation.
2. Research the causes, key events, and resolutions of the conflict.
3. Analyze the short-term and long-term impacts of the conflict on your nation's development, including political, economic, and social consequences.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed conflict analysis report that evaluates the short-term and long-term impacts of the conflict.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses HS.H2.3 by requiring students to evaluate the short-term and long-term impacts of conflicts and their resolutions.
Activity 3

Revolutionary Event Simulation

Students will design a simulation of a major revolution or war of independence that occurred within their nation's history, focusing on the causes, significance, and impact on the nation's trajectory.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a revolution or war of independence relevant to your nation's history.
2. Map out the key events, figures, and turning points of the revolution.
3. Create a simulation scenario that allows users to experience the challenges and decisions faced by leaders and citizens during the revolution.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA simulation scenario of a revolutionary event, including a description of the causes, significance, and impact on the nation's development.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsReinforces understanding of historical events by applying knowledge to game design, aligning with the learning goal to apply knowledge of historical events to game design.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

State Building Simulation Game Rubric

Category 1

Nation Profile

Assessment of the nation profile document, focusing on the depth and accuracy of the social, cultural, and environmental characteristics.
Criterion 1

Social Factors

Evaluation of the description and analysis of social structures and dynamics within the nation.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the nation's social structures, including detailed explanations of social hierarchies, institutions, and interactions. Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how these factors influence state-building. Reason: Demonstrates in-depth understanding of social complexities.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a thorough description of the nation's social structures, including key social hierarchies, institutions, and interactions. Explains how these factors influence state-building. Reason: Shows clear understanding of social influence.

Developing
2 Points

Describes basic social structures within the nation, but lacks depth in explaining social hierarchies, institutions, and interactions. Shows limited understanding of how these factors influence state-building. Reason: Indicates basic understanding of social elements.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides a superficial description of the nation's social structures, missing key elements and lacking explanation of their influence on state-building. Reason: Shows limited awareness of social structures.

Criterion 2

Cultural Values

Assessment of the identification and analysis of cultural values, beliefs, and traditions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a profound analysis of the nation's cultural values, beliefs, and traditions, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their impact on state-building and national identity. Reason: Provides comprehensive cultural insight.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a clear and detailed description of the nation's cultural values, beliefs, and traditions, explaining their impact on state-building and national identity. Reason: Demonstrates thorough cultural knowledge.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some cultural values, beliefs, and traditions, but lacks depth in explaining their impact on state-building and national identity. Reason: Shows emerging cultural awareness.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides a superficial overview of cultural values, beliefs, and traditions, missing key elements and lacking explanation of their impact on state-building and national identity. Reason: Shows limited understanding of cultural factors.

Criterion 3

Environmental Conditions

Evaluation of the description and analysis of environmental factors, including geography, climate, and resources.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a comprehensive analysis of the nation's environmental conditions, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their influence on state-building, resource management, and sustainability. Reason: Shows advanced environmental awareness.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a thorough description of the nation's environmental conditions, explaining their influence on state-building, resource management, and sustainability. Reason: Demonstrates solid environmental knowledge.

Developing
2 Points

Describes basic environmental conditions, but lacks depth in explaining their influence on state-building, resource management, and sustainability. Reason: Indicates basic environmental understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides a superficial overview of environmental conditions, missing key elements and lacking explanation of their influence on state-building, resource management, and sustainability. Reason: Shows limited environmental awareness.

Category 2

Conflict Analysis

Assessment of the conflict analysis report, focusing on the depth and accuracy of the analysis of short-term and long-term impacts of a major historical conflict.
Criterion 1

Identification of Conflict

Accuracy and relevance of the chosen conflict to the nation's history.

Exemplary
4 Points

Identifies a highly relevant and significant historical conflict, demonstrating a deep understanding of its connection to the nation's development. Reason: Shows excellent contextual understanding.

Proficient
3 Points

Identifies a relevant historical conflict and explains its connection to the nation's development. Reason: Conflict is appropriate and clearly linked.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies a historical conflict, but the connection to the nation's development is not clearly explained. Reason: Connection to national development is weak.

Beginning
1 Points

Identifies a historical conflict that is not clearly relevant to the nation's history or development. Reason: Conflict choice is inappropriate.

Criterion 2

Analysis of Short-Term Impacts

Depth and accuracy of the analysis of the conflict's immediate consequences.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the conflict's short-term impacts, including political, economic, and social consequences, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their interconnectedness. Reason: Demonstrates exceptional analytical skills.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a thorough analysis of the conflict's short-term impacts, including political, economic, and social consequences. Reason: Thoroughly analyzes immediate consequences.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some short-term impacts of the conflict, but lacks depth in explaining their political, economic, and social consequences. Reason: Basic understanding of immediate impacts.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides a superficial overview of the conflict's short-term impacts, missing key consequences and lacking explanation of their political, economic, and social effects. Reason: Shows limited awareness of immediate consequences.

Criterion 3

Analysis of Long-Term Impacts

Depth and accuracy of the analysis of the conflict's lasting consequences.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the conflict's long-term impacts, including political, economic, and social consequences, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their enduring effects on state-building and stability. Reason: Excellent long-term impact analysis.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a thorough analysis of the conflict's long-term impacts, including political, economic, and social consequences. Reason: Thorough analysis of lasting consequences.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some long-term impacts of the conflict, but lacks depth in explaining their political, economic, and social consequences. Reason: Basic understanding of long-term impacts.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides a superficial overview of the conflict's long-term impacts, missing key consequences and lacking explanation of their political, economic, and social effects. Reason: Limited awareness of long-term consequences.

Category 3

Revolutionary Event Simulation

Assessment of the simulation scenario, focusing on the historical accuracy, engagement, and understanding of the revolution's impact on the nation's trajectory.
Criterion 1

Historical Accuracy

Evaluation of the simulation's representation of key events, figures, and turning points.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates exceptional historical accuracy in the simulation, with meticulous attention to detail in the representation of key events, figures, and turning points. Provides insightful context and avoids anachronisms. Reason: Demonstrates expert-level historical knowledge.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately represents key events, figures, and turning points in the simulation, demonstrating a solid understanding of the historical context. Reason: Historically sound representation of revolution.

Developing
2 Points

Presents a basic representation of key events, figures, and turning points in the simulation, but may contain some inaccuracies or lack historical context. Reason: Some inaccuracies present.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates significant historical inaccuracies or omissions in the simulation, lacking a clear understanding of the key events, figures, and turning points. Reason: Shows poor understanding of historical context.

Criterion 2

Engagement and Interactivity

Assessment of the simulation's ability to engage users and promote active learning.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates a highly engaging and interactive simulation that immerses users in the challenges and decisions faced during the revolution, promoting active learning and critical thinking. Reason: Highly effective engagement.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates an engaging and interactive simulation that allows users to experience the challenges and decisions faced during the revolution. Reason: Engages users and promotes interactivity.

Developing
2 Points

Presents a simulation with some interactive elements, but lacks depth in engaging users and promoting active learning. Reason: Limited user engagement.

Beginning
1 Points

Creates a simulation with minimal interactive elements, failing to engage users or promote active learning. Reason: Simulation lacks engagement.

Criterion 3

Impact on Nation's Trajectory

Evaluation of the simulation's ability to demonstrate the revolution's impact on the nation's development.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the revolution's impact on the nation's trajectory, showcasing the complex and multifaceted consequences of the event on state-building and national identity. Reason: Deep understanding of revolutionary impact.

Proficient
3 Points

Clearly demonstrates the revolution's impact on the nation's trajectory, explaining how the event shaped state-building and national identity. Reason: Clearly shows impact on national development.

Developing
2 Points

Shows some understanding of the revolution's impact on the nation's trajectory, but lacks depth in explaining how the event shaped state-building and national identity. Reason: Basic understanding of revolutionary impact.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides a superficial overview of the revolution's impact on the nation's trajectory, missing key consequences and lacking explanation of its effect on state-building and national identity. Reason: Limited awareness of revolutionary impact.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflecting on the State Building Simulator project, what was the most surprising factor that influenced your nation's development, and how did it differ from your initial expectations?

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Question 2

How did the process of designing the game change your understanding of the complexities involved in state building, expansion, and dissolution?

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Question 3

To what extent did your nation's profile creation and conflict analysis influence the design and outcomes of your revolutionary event simulation?

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Question 4

Which of the historical events studied (American Revolution, French Revolution, Haitian Revolution, or Mexican War of Independence) provided the most valuable insights for your game's design, and why?

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Question 5

Rate your confidence in explaining the causes and impacts of historical events on state building before and after completing this project.

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Question 6

If you were to continue developing this game, what additional features or scenarios would you include to further enhance its educational value and realism?

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