City Council Simulation: Improving Cardinal City’s...
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City Council Simulation: Improving Cardinal City’s Environment Overview In this experiential activity, students will gain an understanding of the role of city councils, the responsibilities of council members, and the relevance of council decisions to individual citizens. Assuming the roles of city council members or special interest groups, students will participate in a city council simulation in which council members must decide how to spend an $800,000 grant allocated for local environmental improvements. Students can then apply learned presentation skills and acquired understandings to format a presentation for a local governing body. Grade 10 North Carolina Essential Standards for Civics & Economics • CE.C&G.2.1 - Analyze the structures of national, state and local governments in terms of ways they are organized to maintain order, security, welfare of the public and the protection of citizens (e.g., federalism, the three branches, court system, jurisdictions, judicial process, agencies, etc.) • CE.C&G.2.2 - Summarize the functions of North Carolina state and local governments within the federal system of government (e.g., local charters, maintain a militia, pass ordinances and laws, collect taxes, supervise elections, maintain highways, types of local governments, etc.). • CE.C&G.2.6 - Evaluate the authority federal, state and local governments have over individuals’ rights and privileges (e.g., Bill of Rights, Delegated Powers, Reserved Powers, Concurrent Powers, Pardons, Writ of habeas corpus, Judicial Process, states’ rights, Patriot Act, etc.) • CE.C&G.2.7 - Analyze contemporary issues and governmental responses at the local, state, and national levels in terms of how they promote the public interest and/or general welfare (e.g., taxes, immigration, naturalization, civil rights, economic development, annexation, redistricting, zoning, national security, health care, etc.) • CE.C&G.4.3 - Analyze the roles of citizens of North Carolina and the United States in terms of responsibilities, participation, civic life and criteria for membership or admission (e.g., voting, jury duty, lobbying, interacting successfully with government agencies, organizing and working in civic groups, volunteering, petitioning, picketing, running for political office, residency, etc.) • CE.C&G.4.4 - Analyze the obligations of citizens by determining when their personal desires, interests and involvement are subordinate to the good of the nation or state (e.g., Patriot Act, Homeland Security, sedition, civil rights, equal rights under the law, jury duty, Selective Services Act, rule of law, eminent domain, etc.) Essential Questions • What is the role of a municipality’s city or town council? • What are the responsibilities of council members? • What factors do policy makers consider when making decisions? • How do the decisions of council members affect individual citizens? • How can individual citizens play a role in the decisions made by their city council? Materials • City Council Instructions, attached • Special Interest Groups Instructions, attached • Summary of Proposals, attached
Transcript of City Council Simulation: Improving Cardinal City’s...
CityCouncilSimulation:ImprovingCardinalCity’sEnvironmentOverviewInthisexperientialactivity,studentswillgainanunderstandingoftheroleofcitycouncils,theresponsibilitiesofcouncilmembers,andtherelevanceofcouncildecisionstoindividualcitizens.Assumingtherolesofcitycouncilmembersorspecialinterestgroups,studentswillparticipateinacitycouncilsimulationinwhichcouncilmembersmustdecidehowtospendan$800,000grantallocatedforlocalenvironmentalimprovements.Studentscanthenapplylearnedpresentationskillsandacquiredunderstandingstoformatapresentationforalocalgoverningbody.Grade10NorthCarolinaEssentialStandardsforCivics&Economics• CE.C&G.2.1-Analyzethestructuresofnational,stateandlocalgovernmentsintermsofwaystheyare
organizedtomaintainorder,security,welfareofthepublicandtheprotectionofcitizens(e.g.,federalism,thethreebranches,courtsystem,jurisdictions,judicialprocess,agencies,etc.)
• CE.C&G.2.2-SummarizethefunctionsofNorthCarolinastateandlocalgovernmentswithinthefederalsystemofgovernment(e.g.,localcharters,maintainamilitia,passordinancesandlaws,collecttaxes,superviseelections,maintainhighways,typesoflocalgovernments,etc.).
• CE.C&G.2.6-Evaluatetheauthorityfederal,stateandlocalgovernmentshaveoverindividuals’rightsandprivileges(e.g.,BillofRights,DelegatedPowers,ReservedPowers,ConcurrentPowers,Pardons,Writofhabeascorpus,JudicialProcess,states’rights,PatriotAct,etc.)
• CE.C&G.2.7-Analyzecontemporaryissuesandgovernmentalresponsesatthelocal,state,andnationallevelsintermsofhowtheypromotethepublicinterestand/orgeneralwelfare(e.g.,taxes,immigration,naturalization,civilrights,economicdevelopment,annexation,redistricting,zoning,nationalsecurity,healthcare,etc.)
• CE.C&G.4.3-AnalyzetherolesofcitizensofNorthCarolinaandtheUnitedStatesintermsofresponsibilities,participation,civiclifeandcriteriaformembershiporadmission(e.g.,voting,juryduty,lobbying,interactingsuccessfullywithgovernmentagencies,organizingandworkingincivicgroups,volunteering,petitioning,picketing,runningforpoliticaloffice,residency,etc.)
• CE.C&G.4.4-Analyzetheobligationsofcitizensbydeterminingwhentheirpersonaldesires,interestsandinvolvementaresubordinatetothegoodofthenationorstate(e.g.,PatriotAct,HomelandSecurity,sedition,civilrights,equalrightsunderthelaw,juryduty,SelectiveServicesAct,ruleoflaw,eminentdomain,etc.)
EssentialQuestions• Whatistheroleofamunicipality’scityortowncouncil?• Whataretheresponsibilitiesofcouncilmembers?• Whatfactorsdopolicymakersconsiderwhenmakingdecisions?• Howdothedecisionsofcouncilmembersaffectindividualcitizens?• Howcanindividualcitizensplayaroleinthedecisionsmadebytheircitycouncil?Materials• CityCouncilInstructions,attached• SpecialInterestGroupsInstructions,attached• SummaryofProposals,attached
• Internetaccess(optional)• CreateaPosterandCreateaBumperSticker,optionalassignmentsandrubricsattached• Resourceperson,suchasalocalcouncilmember(optional)
o Contactthelocalgovernmentofficialofyourchoice2-4weeksinadvanceofthislessontoexplaintheactivityandtoaskforassistanceinprovidingstudentsknowledgeabouttherolesandresponsibilitiesoflocalgovernmentofficials.(Itisimportantthispersondoesnotcometogivea“speech,”butratherispreparedtoengagewiththestudentsastheyprepareforthesimulationandparticipateindialoguewiththeclassabouthis/herroleinlocalgovernmentdecisionmaking).Aftermakinganinitialcontact,followupwithane-mailorphonecallincludingthedate,time,location,parkingarrangements,schoolproceduresforguests,andacompletesetofmaterialsfortheactivity.Itishighlyrecommendedtoinvitearesourcepersonwhendoingthisactivity,notonlytoprovidevaluedassistance,butalsotogiveyourstudentsachancetointeractwithandlearnfromalocalgovernmentofficial.
DurationTwoclassperiodsProcedureDay1
WarmUp:CityCouncilsandtheEnvironment1. Asawarmup,placestudentsintogroupsof3-5andgivethemthefollowingassignment:
• Imagineyourcityhasreceivedan$800,000granttoimprovetheenvironment.Brainstormalistofthemosteffectivewaysthemoneycouldbespent.
• Afterstudentshavecreatedsubstantiallists,tellthemthat$800,000willonlycoveroneoftheirideas.Instructgroupstocollectivelychooseoneideatheyfeelwouldmakethemostpositiveimpactontheenvironmentandtobepreparedtosharethatideawiththewholeclassin3-5minutes.Tellstudentstheymustbereadytoexplainwhythisideawouldbethebestwaytospendthemoney.
Afterstudentshaveshared,discuss:
• Ifourcityreallydidreceivemoneyforenvironmentalimprovements,whowouldberesponsiblefordecidinghowthemoneywouldbespent?(city/towncouncil,ideallywithcitizeninput)
• Whataretherolesofourcitycouncil?(Thecityortowncouncilmakesdecisionsforthemunicipality,carriesoutthosedecisions,managesabudget,andhasauthoritytolevytaxes.Inmostcitiesandtownswithpopulationsover1,000,thecouncilhiresaCityManager,whooverseesthemunicipality’sday-to-dayoperations.)
• Whatdecisionsdoesacitycouncilmakethatcandirectlyorindirectlyaffecttheenvironment?• Whataretheresponsibilitiesofcitycouncilmembersastheymakesuchadecisionastheoneyoujust
brainstormed?• Whattypesofthingsdoyouthinkinfluenceacouncil’sfinaldecision?
IntroducingtheCityCouncilSimulation
2. Tellstudentsthattheywillbelearningabouttheseveryissuesbyparticipatinginacitycouncilsimulation.TellstudentsthattheycurrentlyliveinthefictitiousCardinalCity,andhandoutorprojectthefollowinginformationwhileexplaining:
NorthCarolina’sGeneralAssemblyhaspassedtheEnvironmentalImprovementAct,whichappropriated$7millionstatewideforNorthCarolinamunicipalitiestoimprovetheirlocalenvironmentandairquality.Toensurethatmoneywouldbespentonlocalneeds,fundingwasallocatedtolocalgovernmentsthroughafederalgrantprocess.CardinalCityappliedforfunds,andwasapprovedfor$800,000undertheEnvironmentalImprovementAct.
ItisnowuptotheCardinalCityCounciltodeterminehowbesttospendthemoney.Ahearingisscheduledforvariouscommunitymembers,stakeholders,andspecialinterestgroupstoexpresstheiropinionstotheCouncilonhowtheythinkthefundsshouldbeallocated.
3. Explaintostudentsthattheywilleitherbeparticipatingasacitycouncilmemberoracitizen.Divide
studentsintosixevengroups.
4. Oncestudentsareintheirgroups,givethemsomebackgroundinformationonCardinalCitybyhandingoutthefollowinginformationorprojectingwhileexplaining:
FactsAboutCardinalCity
• CardinalCityPopulation:§ 2015-44,500§ 2017-48,900
• ThemedianageofCardinalCity’sresidentsis24yearsoldandthemedianhouseholdincomeis$40,600.• CardinalCityishometoUNC-Cardinal,a600acrecampushosting8,800fulltimestudents,and2,000
commuter/parttimestudents.• CardinalCityishometoarenownedhospital,CardinalMemorial.• Aninternationalairportislocated17milesawayfromCardinalCitylimits.AnAmtrakstationislocatedon
theoutskirtsofCardinalCity’sdowntown.• Cardinalhasapproximately700acresofnaturalareaandgreenspace,andone170-acrelake.• TheDowntownDevelopmentInitiativehasincreasedbusiness,tourism,andresidencyinCardinalCity’s
downtownoverthelasttwoyears.• CardinalCitywasoneofNorthCarolina’sareasdesignated“nonattainment”fortheEPA’shealthbased
standardsfor8-hourozonepollution. PreparingfortheSimulation5. Givegroupstheappropriateattachedinstructionhandoutsandallowthem5minutestoreviewtheir
sheets.Then,explainthefollowingtosummarizethecitycouncilmeetingprocess,acceptinganyquestionsstudentsmayhave:
• CityCouncil:(ProvideonegroupwithCityCouncilInstructionsandSummaryofProposals,attached;
selectonestudentinthisgrouptoserveastheMayor)UndertheMayor’sleadership,youwillspendthenext30ormoreminutespreparingforyourcitycouncilmeeting.ReviewtheSummaryofProposalsofallthespecialinterestgroupswhowillbepresentingtoyoutoday.Asagroup,discussyourfirstimpressionsoftheprogramsyouthinkmightbemostbeneficialtoCardinalCity.Asyoualldiscusseachproposalsummary,asacouncilyoumustcreate2-3follow-upquestionsforeachproposalthatyouwillaskafterthepresentation.
• SpecialInterestGroups:(ProvidethesestudentswithSpecialInterestGroupsInstructionsandSummaryofProposals,attached)Youwillspendthenext30ormoreminutesdevelopingapresentationtothecitycouncilonyourgreenproposal;yourgoalisfortheCounciltosupportandfundyourproposal.Youmustresearchinformationaboutthegreentechnologyyouarepresentingon*andfigureouthowtoprepareanorganized,creative,andmotivationalpresentation.Also,youshouldspendsometimereviewingtheotherpresentationsthatareontheagenda(usetheSummaryofProposals)sothatyouarepreparedtoshowwhyyourproposalwillhavethegreatestpositiveimpactonCardinalCity.
*Ideally,Internetaccesswillbeavailablesothatstudentsrepresentingspecialinterestgroupscanfurtherresearchanddeveloptheirgreenproposals.IfInternetaccessisnotanoption,teachersmaychoosetoprintoutrelevantinformationforeachofthegroups.Ø Note:Ifaresourcepersonisjoiningyourclassforthisactivity,introducehim/hertotheclassandallow
him/hertospeakbrieflyabouttheiroccupation.Letstudentsknowthatthispersonisheretoserveasa
resourceforthemintermsoflocalgovernmentandcanalsooffertipsonhowtoprepareforasuccessfulmeeting.
6. Reviewyourexpectationsforrespectfulgroupworkandallowstudentstoprepareforthesimulationin
theirgroups.Circulatearoundtheroomtoassistgroupsastheyprepare,givingperiodictimewarnings.Thissimulationisdesignedtobeentirelystudentlead,withthestudentplayingtheMayortoleadthesimulation.Duringthepreparationphase,theteacherand/orresourcepersonshoulddiscussappropriateprocedurewiththeMayorsohe/sheknowshowtocallthemeetingtoorder,makeintroductions,summarizethepurposeofthemeeting,etc.
Theteacherand/orresourcepersonshouldalsoworkwiththecouncilmembersandcoachthemonrealisticprocedureandcouncilmemberbehavior,aswellasspendtimewitheachspecialinterestgroupofferingadviceonthepresentationstheyarepreparingandthetypesofthingscouncilmembersliketohearandsee.(*ManyNorthCarolinacitiesandtownstelevisetheircouncilmeetings,ormakethemavailableforonlineviewing.Teachersmaywanttoshowsuchacliptostudentssothattheyhaveasenseoftruecouncilprocedure.)
7. Instructstudentstoassigneachgroupmemberhomework,whetheritisconductingfurtherresearch,refiningthepresentation,preparingvisualaids,etc.Teachersmayalsowanttoencouragestudentstodresstheirpartsthefollowingday(i.e.professionaldress).
Day2ConductingtheSimulation
8. Allowstudentstimeatthebeginningofclasstomeetwiththeirgroupsoncemoreforafinalreviewofthepresentation.
9. Onceallgroupsareready,arrangetheroomsothattheMayorandCouncilmembersarefacingthegroupsofpresenters.ProjectorhandoutandexplainwhattheCityCouncilmeetingformatwillbe:
Mayorcallsmeetingtoorderandgivesoverview 1-2minutesPresentationfromtheCardinalCityTransportationDepartment 5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromCityCouncil 2minutesPresentationfromZeroWasteRecycling 5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromCityCouncil 2minutesPresentationfromBiodieselGenerations 5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromCityCouncil 2minutesPresentationfromCitizenCoalitionforC-Red 5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromCityCouncil 2minutesPresentationfromLittleGreenSchoolHouse 5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromCityCouncil 2minutesMayorcancallforanyfinalcommentsorquestionsfrompresentinggroupsandCouncilmembers(iftimepermits)
5minutes
MayorleadsopendeliberationofCityCouncil 10minutes*Remember,thissimulationisdesignedtobeentirelystudentlead,withthestudentplayingtheMayorleadingthesimulation.Duringthesimulation,assistthisstudentinmovingthingsalongwhenneeded,buttrytoallowthestudentstohavecontrolofthesimulationasmuchaspossible.10. Theteachershouldreviewexpectedbehaviorforthesimulation,notingexpectationssuchas:
• Remainrespectfulatalltimesandencourageoneanother.• Tryyourbestandtakethesimulationseriously.• Listenwhenothersarespeaking.Donotdiscussyourpresentationorrebuttalswhileother
groupsarepresenting.
• Maintainorderandprofessionalismthroughoutthehearing,whetheryouagreewithwhatisbeingsaidornot.
• Nonamecalling,eyerolling,smackingteeth,disruptivecomments,etc.• Havefun!
11. Oncetheexpectationsareclearlydefined,asktheMayortocallthemeetingtoorderandconductthe
simulation.12. Afterallgroupshavepresentedandbeenquestionedbycouncilmembers,andiftimepermits,theMayor
cancallabrief3minutebreak,inwhichpresentinggroupscandiscussandpreparea1-2minuteclosingstatement/summary.
Iftimedoesnotpermit,theMayorshouldthankallpresentersfortheirtimeandbegintheopendeliberationprocessofCityCouncil.Forthepurposesofthissimulation,citycouncilparticipatesinanopendeliberationandattemptstomakeanimmediatedecision.Ensurestudentsunderstandthatinarealisticsituation,thiswouldnotnecessarilybethecase.Ideally,CityCouncilwillreachaconsensus.However,ifaconsensuscannotbemet,theMayorcan“tablethediscussionuntilCouncilmeetsagain,”sothattheclasscanmoveontodebriefthesimulation.Duringthedebriefing,ifconsensuswasnotmet,addressthedifficultystudentsplayingcouncilmembersexperiencedinreachingconsensus.
DebriefingtheSimulation
13. Afterthesimulationhasended,havestudentsapplaudthemselvesfortheirhardworkanddebriefusingtheattachedworksheet,DebriefingtheCardinalCityCouncilSimulation,and/orthediscussionquestionsbelow:• WhatisyouropinionoftheCouncil’sdecision?Explain.• ImaginethisdecisionwasmadebyyourownCityCouncil.Wouldyousupportit?Whyorwhynot?• Whatfactorsmaymakesomeproposalsmoresuccessfulthanothers?• ThoseofyouwhopresentedtoCityCouncil,whatdoyouthinkthebestpartofyourpresentationwas
andwhy?Howwouldyouchangeyourpresentationtoimproveitfornexttime?• WhatskillsareimportantwhenpresentingtoCityCouncilmembers?(Discusspresentationskillssuch
asbeingprepared,speakingclearly,beingbriefandconcise,etc.)• Whatroledidscience/scientificdataplayinthepresentationsanddecision?• ConsidertheprocessyouwentthroughtoprepareapresentationforCityCouncil.Whyisitimportant
toresearchmembersofCityCouncilandtohaveanunderstandingoftheirbackgroundsandareasofinterest?
• Whyisitimportantwhenpreparingapresentationforcitycounciltoconsiderwhattheoppositeviewmightbe?
• CityCouncil,whatleadyoutomakethedecisionsyoumade?Whatfactorsinfluencedyou?Isthereanythinganyonecouldhavedonedifferentlythatwouldhavechangedyourmind(regardingproposalsthatwerenotfunded)?
• WereyouactuallyservingonaCityCouncil,whatotherfactorsmightinfluenceyouthatwerenotnecessarilyrepresentedinthisactivity?
• Inwhatwaysmightindividualcitizensoutsideofthesespecialinterestgroupshaveinfluencedthisprocess?Howcanyouletyouropinionbeknown?
• Whatisyouropinionofthevariousgreenstrategiesthatwerepresentedtoday?Arethereenvironmentalconcernsthatyouhaveinregardstoourowncommunity?Explain.
• WhichoftheseproposalsdoyouthinkwecouldstillrealisticallyconvinceourownCityCounciltoadopt,evenwithoutthegrantfundsavailable,andwhy?Explain.
• Doyouthinkitisimportantthatindividualcitizenslobbytheirlocalgoverningbodiestoadoptenvironmentalpoliciesregardingcarbonreduction?Whyorwhynot?
• Ifyourlocalgoverningbodyadoptedacarbonreductionpledge,howmighttheenvironmentalqualityofyourcitychange?Howwouldsuchadecisionaffectyouasanindividual?
CulminatingActivities
• Developapresentationtodelivertoyourlocalgoverningbodythataddressesanissueyoucareabout,suchasenergyconservation,carbonreduction,etc.(SeeCarolinaK-12’slessonMakingaSuccessfulPresentationtoCityCouncil.)
• Choosethegreenproposalyoumostfavorandcreateabumperstickerorposteradvocatingforyourcity/countytoadoptthisgreenpractice.(Seetheattachedprojectdescriptionsandrubrics.)
• Writealettertoyourlocalgoverningentityrequestingtheadoptionofanenvironmentalpledge,suchascarbonreduction,oraspecificchangeinenvironmentalpolicy.SeeCarolinaK-12’sHowtoWriteaLetterforPolicyChange.
• AttendaCityCouncilmeetingorwatchatapingofameeting.DifferentiationStudentswithspecialneeds
• Ensurethatstudentsareplacedinmixedabilitygroups.• Studentswhodonotworkwellinsmallgroupsmayworkalone.GivethemtheSummaryOfProposals,
andtellthemthattheyareaCityCouncilmemberwhomustdecidewhichproposal(s)tofundwiththe$800,000environmentalgrant.Havethemwriteouttheirresponseandreasoning.
AIG• Ratherthanprovidingapresentationguideline,havestudentsdeveloptheirownidea.• Researchenvironmentalconcernssuchascarbondioxideemissions,energyconsumption,etc.inyour
owncity/county.Prepareanevaluationoftheenvironmentalpracticesofyourarea,makingsuggestionsonwhatneedstobeimprovedandwaystoimproveit.
• Researchthemembersofyourlocalgoverningentity(citycouncil,countycommissioners,etc.)todeterminetheirstanceand/orinitiativesinvolvingenvironmentalissues.
CityCouncilInstructions
Congratulations!YouhavebeenelectedtotheCardinalCityCouncil!Youandyourfellowcouncilmembershaveaveryimportantdecisiontomaketoday.Youmustdecidehowtospendthe$800,000CardinalCityreceivedforimprovingthecity’senvironment.Today,citizenswillpresenttheirideasonhowtheythinkyoushoulddistributethemoney.Yourresponsibilityistofundtheprograms(infullorpartially)thatyouthinkwillmostimprovelifeinCardinalCity.Followthesesteps:1. SpendtimereviewingtheSummaryofProposalsofallgroupswhohavesigneduptopresent.Consider
whichprogramsyouthinkmightbemostbeneficialtoimprovingtheenvironmentalqualitiesofCardinalCity.DiscussyourfirstimpressionsoftheseproposalswithyourfellowCouncilmembers,andshareyourideasofwhichprogramsyouthinkwouldbebest(intermsofimpactandcost).Together,theCouncilshouldcreateatleasttwoquestionsabouteachproposaltobeaskedaftereachpresentation.Thesequestionsmaychangebasedonwhatyouhearinthepresentations.Youwillhaveapproximately30minutestoprepareforyourmeeting.
2. OnceitistimefortheCityCouncilmeeting,theMayorwillcallthemeetingtoorderbyreviewingthe
purposeofthemeeting.Then,followingtheorderofproposaloverviewsthatyoureceived,theMayorwillcalleachgroupuptopresent.Eachgroupwillhaveupto5minutestopresenttheirenvironmentalproposaltotheCouncil.Listencarefullytotheirideas,theirreasoning,andtheamountofmoneytheyrequiretoimplementtheirproposal.
3. Aftereachpresentation,theMayorwillopenthefloorforquestionsfromCouncilmembersaboutthe
proposal.Youallmayrefertothequestionsyoupreviouslycreated,oraskquestionsbasedonnewinformationyouheard.Remember,youneedtogatheralloftheinformationyoucaninordertomakeaninformeddecision.
4. Onceallgroupshavepresented,theMayorwillthankallpresentersfortheirtime,andthecouncilwill
thendiscusswhichproposalstofund.Itisimportantyouconsidertheimpactoftheproposal,thecostoftheproposal,andhowthecitizensinyourcitywouldwantyoutovote.Remember,youcannotexceed$800,000,butyoucanpartiallyfundproposals.AsCouncilmembers,youmayhavedifferentideasregardingtheproposalstosupportandtheamountofmoneytoallocatetotheproposals.Youmustworkthroughthisusingrespectfuldebate,negotiation,andcompromise.
5. Finally,onceyouhavereachedadecisiononhowtospendthe$800,000,theMayorwillcallforamotion
toapprovethebudgetinwhicheachCouncilmembervotes.Afterthefinaldecision,theMayorwillclosethemeetingandthankeveryoneforcoming.
Notes:
CardinalCityTransportationDepartment
YourgrouprepresentstheCardinalCityTransportationDepartment,andyourgoalistoconvinceCityCounciltouse$500,000ofEnvironmentalImprovementActFundstobuyonehybridbus.
1.Researchinformationabouthybridbuses(youwillfindafewpointsofinformationbelow)andworktogethertodevelopapresentationtoCityCouncilthatwillconvincethemtopurchaseahybridbustointegrateintoCardinalCity’stransitsystem.Yourpresentationcanbeupto5minutesand:
a...Beginwithanintroductionandoverviewofyourproposalb…Educatecouncilmembersonthegreentechnologybehindyourproposalc…Answerthefollowingquestions…~HowwillyourproposalimprovetheenvironmentofCardinalCity?~Whowillbenefitfromyourproposal,andspecificallyhowwilltheybenefit?~Whatwillyourproposalcost,andwhyisthiscosteffective?~WhyisyourproposalbetterthantheotherproposalsCityCouncilwillbehearingtoday?d…Endwithaconvincingconclusion
2.AnticipatewhatquestionsCityCouncilmembersmighthaveofyousothatyouarepreparedtoanswer.Alsoconsiderwhattheotherproposalswillberequesting,andbepreparedtoarguewhyyourproposalwillhavemoreofapositiveenvironmentalimpact,andwhyitismorecosteffective.
3.Select1-2groupmemberstopresentyourproposaltoCityCouncilmembers.TherestofthegroupwillberesponsibleforassistinginansweringquestionstheCityCouncilwillaskyouafteryourpresentationisfinished.Remember,yourgoalistogettheCityCounciltofundyourproposalentirely.Goodluck!
InformationaboutHybridBuses
~EstimatedCostforaHybridBus:$500,000~EstimatedCostforaDieselBus:$300,000
• Hybridbustechnologyoffersbenefitsrangingfromcuttingthecostsofoperationandmaintenanceofbusoperators,
toimprovingairquality,especiallyinurban/suburbanareasthatareexperiencingnon-attainmentofEPAairqualitystandards,toimprovingthehealthofschoolchildrenwhopresentlyridedieselpoweredschoolbuses.
• Hybridbustechnologyissimilartothatusedinhybridcarsandtrucks.Thesebusesemploysimilartechnology
includingregenerativebraking,electricmotors,andbatterystorage.Onemaindifferenceisthatmosthybridbusesarecouplingdiesel-fueledengineswithelectricmotorsinsteadofthetypicalgasoline-electrichybridconfigurationsavailableinlightdutyvehicles.Thehybridbusrunsonelectricityandanultra-lowsulfurdieselfuelandcanget50%bettermileagepergallonoffuelthanaregulardieselbus.
• Thehybridbusoffers90%lessemissionsthandieselbusesandrunsmorequietlyandsmoothly.Also,thebuslacksa
transmissionandhasregenerativebrakes,whichreducespowertotheenginetoslowthebusbeforeapplyingtheactualbrakes.
• Recentmedicalstudieshighlightthedangersofparticulatepollutionofthesortproducedbydieselbusengines.
Particulatematterhasrecentlybeenhighlightedinseveralreportsasaseriousconcernonschoolbuses,causingproblemsrangingfromincreasedcasesofillnesstolungcancer.Removingthistypeofexposureisthenumberonebenefitofhybridbustechnology.
ZeroWasteRecycling
YourgrouprepresentstheorganizationZeroWasteRecycling,andyourgoalistoconvinceCityCounciltofundyourproposaltoimplementamandatoryrecyclingprograminCardinalCityusing$350,000oftheEnvironmentalImprovementActFunds.Currently,CardinalCity’svoluntaryprogramrecycles12%ofsolidwastegeneratedannually.Youproposetoexpandtheprogramandraisetheratetoatleast35%.
1.Researchinformationaboutrecycling(youwillfindafewpointsofinformationbelow)andworktogethertodevelopapresentationtoCityCouncilthatwillconvincethemtomakerecyclingmandatoryinCardinalCity.Yourpresentationcanbeupto5minutesand:
a...Beginwithanintroductionandoverviewofyourproposalb…Educatecouncilmembersonthegreentechnologybehindyourproposalc…Answerthefollowingquestions…~HowwillyourproposalimprovetheenvironmentofCardinalCity?~Whowillbenefitfromyourproposal,andspecificallyhowwilltheybenefit?~Whatwillyourproposalcost,andwhyisthiscosteffective?~WhyisyourproposalbetterthantheotherproposalsCityCouncilwillbehearingtoday?d…Endwithaconvincingconclusion
2.AnticipatewhatquestionsCityCouncilmembersmighthaveofyousothatyouarepreparedtoanswer.Alsoconsiderwhattheotherproposalswillberequesting,andbepreparedtoarguewhyyourproposalwillhavemoreofapositiveenvironmentalimpact,andwhyitismorecosteffective.
3.Select1-2groupmemberstopresentyourproposaltoCityCouncilmembers.TherestofthegroupwillberesponsibleforassistinginansweringquestionstheCityCouncilwillaskyouafteryourpresentationisfinished.Remember,yourgoalistogettheCityCounciltofundyourproposalentirely.Goodluck!
InformationaboutRecycling
• Recyclinghasnumerouspositiveeffectsonacommunity,including:Economicgrowthandlocalincomegrowth,net
jobincreases,energysavings,wastereduction,extendsthelifeoflandfills,reducespollution,conservesnaturalresources,resultsincleanerairandwater,andhelpsreducegreenhousegases.
• Recycling1,269tonsofpaper,metals,organics,andothermaterialsinCardinalCitycansaveatotalofabout13,756
BTUsofenergy,enoughenergytopowernearly137homesforoneyear.Productsmadeusingrecoveredratherthanvirginorrawmaterialsusesignificantlylessenergy.Lessenergyusedmeanslessburningoffossilfuelssuchascoal,oilandnaturalgas.Whenburned,thesefuelsreleasepollutants,suchassulfurdioxide,nitrogenoxide,carbonmonoxide,andCO2intotheair.Recycling1,269tonsofwastecanreduceoverallairemissionsby24.9tonsandgreenhousegasemissionsby613metrictons.(Source:http://www.musc.edu/recycle/benefits.htm)
BiodieselGenerations
YourgrouprepresentstheorganizationBiodieselGenerations,andyourgoalistoconvinceCityCounciltomandatetheuseofbiodieselfuel(B20)inallpublicschoolbusesratherthanthecurrentlyuseddieselfuel.Youarerequesting$45,000ofgrantfundsfortheinitialconversioncosts.Thisincludesthepurchaseofa10,000gallontankforholdingthefuelandinitialmaintenancecosts(intheinitialchangeoverfromdieseltoB20,petroleumdepositsareoftencleanedoutandclogfilters,thusfiltersneedreplaced).
1.Researchinformationaboutrecycling(youwillfindafewpointsofinformationbelow)andworktogethertodevelopapresentationtoCityCouncilthatwillconvincethemtomakeallpublicschoolbusesusebiodieselfuelinCardinalCity.Yourpresentationcanbeupto5minutesand:
a...Beginwithanintroductionandoverviewofyourproposalb…Educatecouncilmembersonthegreentechnologybehindyourproposalc…Answerthefollowingquestions…~HowwillyourproposalimprovetheenvironmentofCardinalCity?~Whowillbenefitfromyourproposal,andspecificallyhowwilltheybenefit?~Whatwillyourproposalcost,andwhyisthiscosteffective?~WhyisyourproposalbetterthantheotherproposalsCityCouncilwillbehearingtoday?d…Endwithaconvincingconclusion
2.AnticipatewhatquestionsCityCouncilmembersmighthaveofyousothatyouarepreparedtoanswer.Alsoconsiderwhattheotherproposalswillberequesting,andbepreparedtoarguewhyyourproposalwillhavemoreofapositiveenvironmentalimpact,andwhyitismorecosteffective.
3.Select1-2groupmemberstopresentyourproposaltoCityCouncilmembers.TherestofthegroupwillberesponsibleforassistinginansweringquestionstheCityCouncilwillaskyouafteryourpresentationisfinished.Remember,yourgoalistogettheCityCounciltofundyourproposalentirely.Goodluck!
InformationAboutBiodiesel
• Abiodieselblend(B20)canbeusedinplaceofregularpetroleumfuelforcars,buses,trucks,tractorsandequipmentwithnomodificationsneededtotheengineorfuelsystem.Biodieselmadefromusedvegetableoilisblendedwithpetroleumdieseltoproduceacleanerburningfuel.ThemixisusuallyB20–20%biodieseland80%petroleumdiesel.
• Biodieselismoreexpensivethandieselfuelandcanrangeincostfrom5cents-20centsmorepergallon.• Biodieselistheonlyalternativefueltohavefullycompletedthehealtheffectstestingrequirementsofthe
CleanAirAct.B20isestimatedtoreduceCarbonMonoxideby12%,Hydrocarbonsby20%,Sulfatesby20%,Particulatesby12%,andAirToxicsby20%.Studentexposuretocarcinogensandharmfulemissionswouldthusbereduced.
LittleGreenSchoolhouse
YourgrouprepresentsLittleGreenSchoolhouse,agroupofcitizenswithapositivevisionforhealthy,sustainableschools.YourgoalistoconvinceCityCounciltoallocatetheentire$800,000ofEnvironmentalImprovementActFundstoyourcity’smostpreciouscause:thechildren.Youbelievefundsshouldbeusedtoupdatetwolocalschoolstobesustainable,greenbuildings.
1.Researchinformationaboutsustainable,greenbuildings(youwillfindafewpointsofinformationbelow)andworktogethertodevelopapresentationtoCityCouncilthatwillconvincethemtoupgradetwoCardinalCityschools.Yourpresentationcanbeupto5minutesand:
a...Beginwithanintroductionandoverviewofyourproposalb…Educatecouncilmembersonthegreentechnologybehindyourproposalc…Answerthefollowingquestions…~HowwillyourproposalimprovetheenvironmentofCardinalCity?~Whowillbenefitfromyourproposal,andspecificallyhowwilltheybenefit?~Whatwillyourproposalcost,andwhyisthiscosteffective?~WhyisyourproposalbetterthantheotherproposalsCityCouncilwillbehearingtoday?d…Endwithaconvincingconclusion
2.AnticipatewhatquestionsCityCouncilmembersmighthaveofyousothatyouarepreparedtoanswer.Alsoconsiderwhattheotherproposalswillberequesting,andbepreparedtoarguewhyyourproposalwillhavemoreofapositiveenvironmentalimpact,andwhyitismorecosteffective.
3.Select1-2groupmemberstopresentyourproposaltoCityCouncilmembers.TherestofthegroupwillberesponsibleforassistinginansweringquestionstheCityCouncilwillaskyouafteryourpresentationisfinished.Remember,yourgoalistogettheCityCounciltofundyourproposalentirely.Goodluck!
KeyPointsaboutGreenSchools
• ProponentsofGreenSchoolsbelievethatschoolscanprovideahealthyenvironmentforstudentsandstaff,whilepromotingecologicalsustainability,byusingalternativestotoxicchemicals,pursuinggreenbuildingandmaintenancepractices,changingtheirresourceconsumptionpatterns,servingnutritiousfood,andteachingstudentstobestewardsoftheircommunities,theearthanditsresources.
• Oneinfivepeoplewholiveinthiscountry—55millionchildren,teachers,administrators,nursesandjanitors—spend
their days in K–12 schools. Yet, our current school systems are threats to our children’s health, models ofunsustainability,andsignificantcontributorstosociety’sbroaderenvironmentalandhealthproblems.
• Taxpayersspend$6billionayearonenergyforschoolsbutcouldreducethatamountby$1.5billionthroughenergy
efficiencymeasuresalone,suchassolarandwindpower.• Schoolsarefarbehindmanyothersectorsofsocietyinrecycling.Wastefromschools—primarilyfoodandpaper—
representsabout4percentofthemunicipalwastestream.Manyschoolsdonotrecycleandfewerstillpurchaserecycledor“green”products.Foreachtonofnon–recycledofficepaperthataschooldistrictreplaceswith30percentpost–consumercontent,ituses2,400poundslesswood(about7trees),therebyhelpingsavecriticalforestecosystems.
• Agrowingnumberofdistrictsarefollowing“Healthy,HighPerformanceSchoolGuidelines”whenbuildingor
renovating.Thesecriteriarecommendenvironmentallysoundbuildingmaterials,andtheefficientuseofenergyandwater.Benefitsincludeahealthierlearningandworkingenvironmentforchildrenandteachers,highertestscores,improvedattendance,reducedoperatingcosts,andreducedenvironmentalimpacts.
CitizenCoalitionforCarbonReduction
YourgrouprepresentstheCitizenCoalitionforCarbonReduction,andyourgoalistoconvinceCityCounciltopledgetoparticipateinaCommunityCarbonReductionprogram.Youfeelitisyourcouncilmembers’responsibilitytorecognizelocal,state-wide,andglobalenvironmentalissuesandcommit,asothercommunitieshavealreadydone,todecreaseCardinalCity’scarbonemissions60%by2050.Adoptingthepledgewillnotrequireanymoney,butstrategiesforcarbonreductionwillneedfutureallocationsfromtheCity.1.Researchinformationaboutsustainable,greenbuildings(youwillfindafewpointsofinformationbelow)andworktogethertodevelopapresentationtoCityCouncilthatwillconvincethemtoupgradetwoCardinalCityschools.Yourpresentationcanbeupto5minutesand:
a...Beginwithanintroductionandoverviewofyourproposalb…Educatecouncilmembersonthegreentechnologybehindyourproposalc…Answerthefollowingquestions…~HowwillyourproposalimprovetheenvironmentofCardinalCity?~Whowillbenefitfromyourproposal,andspecificallyhowwilltheybenefit?~Whatwillyourproposalcost,andwhyisthiscosteffective?~WhyisyourproposalbetterthantheotherproposalsCityCouncilwillbehearingtoday?d…Endwithaconvincingconclusion
2.AnticipatewhatquestionsCityCouncilmembersmighthaveofyousothatyouarepreparedtoanswer.Alsoconsiderwhattheotherproposalswillberequesting,andbepreparedtoarguewhyyourproposalwillhavemoreofapositiveenvironmentalimpact,andwhyitismorecosteffective.
3.Select1-2groupmemberstopresentyourproposaltoCityCouncilmembers.TherestofthegroupwillberesponsibleforassistinginansweringquestionstheCityCouncilwillaskyouafteryourpresentationisfinished.Remember,yourgoalistogettheCityCounciltofundyourproposalentirely.Goodluck!
SummaryofProposals
1.CardinalCityTransportationDepartment- AmountRequested:$500,000TheCardinalCityTransportationDepartmentseekstoconvinceCityCounciltouseEnvironmentalImprovementActfundstobuyonehybridbusfromGeneralMotorsforintegrationintotheCardinalCitytransitsystem.2.ZeroWasteRecycling- AmountRequested:$350,000ZeroWasteRecyclingseekstoconvinceCityCounciltofundaproposalforimplementationofamandatoryrecyclingprograminCardinalCity.Currently,CardinalCity’svoluntaryprogramrecycles12%ofsolidwastegeneratedannually.ZeroWasteRecyclingproposestoexpandtheprogramandraisetheratetoatleast35%.3.BiodieselGenerations- AmountRequested:$45,000BiodieselGenerationsseekstoconvinceCityCounciltomandatetheuseofbiodieselfuel(B20)inallpublicschoolbusesratherthanthecurrentlyuseddieselfuel.Theirproposalincludesthepurchaseofa10,000gallontankforholdingthefuelandinitialmaintenancecosts(intheinitialchangeoverfromdieseltoB20,petroleumdepositsareoftencleanedoutandclogfilters,thusfiltersneedreplaced).4.LittleGreenSchoolHouse- AmountRequested:$800,000TheLittleGreenSchoolhouseisagroupofcitizenswithapositivevisionforhealthy,sustainableschools.TheirgoalistoconvinceCityCounciltoallocateEnvironmentalImprovementActFundstoupdatetwolocalschoolstobesustainable,greenbuildings.5.CitizenCoalitionforCarbonReduction- AmountRequested:$0upfront,TheCitizenCoalitionforCarbonReductionseekstoconvinceCityCounciltopledgetoparticipateinaCommunityCarbonReductionprogram.BysupportingtheCitizenCoalition’spresentation,CouncilmemberswouldbepledgingtodecreaseCardinal’scarbonemissions60%by2050.Adoptingthepledgewillnotrequireanymoneyupfront,butstrategiesforcarbonreductionwillrequirefutureallocationsfromthecity."
SummaryofProposals
1.CardinalCityTransportationDepartment- AmountRequested:$500,000TheCardinalCityTransportationDepartmentseekstoconvinceCityCounciltouseEnvironmentalImprovementActfundstobuyonehybridbusfromGeneralMotorsforintegrationintotheCardinalCitytransitsystem.2.ZeroWasteRecycling- AmountRequested:$350,000ZeroWasteRecyclingseekstoconvinceCityCounciltofundaproposalforimplementationofamandatoryrecyclingprograminCardinalCity.Currently,CardinalCity’svoluntaryprogramrecycles12%ofsolidwastegeneratedannually.ZeroWasteRecyclingproposestoexpandtheprogramandraisetheratetoatleast35%.3.BidieselGenerations- AmountRequested:$45,000BiodieselGenerationsseekstoconvinceCityCounciltomandatetheuseofbiodieselfuel(B20)inallpublicschoolbusesratherthanthecurrentlyuseddieselfuel.Theirproposalincludesthepurchaseofa10,000gallontankforholdingthefuelandinitialmaintenancecosts(intheinitialchangeoverfromdieseltoB20,petroleumdepositsareoftencleanedoutandclogfilters,thusfiltersneedreplaced).4.LittleGreenSchoolHouse- AmountRequested:$800,000TheLittleGreenSchoolhouseisagroupofcitizenswithapositivevisionforhealthy,sustainableschools.TheirgoalistoconvinceCityCounciltoallocateEnvironmentalImprovementActFundstoupdatetwolocalschoolstobesustainable,greenbuildings.5.CitizenCoalitionforCarbonReduction- AmountRequested:$0upfront,TheCitizenCoalitionforCarbonReductionseekstoconvinceCityCounciltopledgetoparticipateinaCommunityCarbonReductionprogram.BysupportingtheCitizenCoalition’spresentation,CouncilmemberswouldbepledgingtodecreaseCardinal’scarbonemissions60%by2050.Adoptingthepledgewillnotrequireanymoneyupfront,butstrategiesforcarbonreductionwillrequirefutureallocationsfromthecity.
Name:__________________________________
DebriefingtheCardinalCityCouncilSimulation1. Basedonpreviousknowledgeandthisexperience,whataretherolesandresponsibilitiesofaCity
Council?Howaresuchlocalgoverningbodiesrelevanttoyou?2. WhatisyouropinionofthedecisiontheCardinalCityCouncilmaderegardingtheenvironmental
grantfunds?Explain.3. Whatfactorsmakesomeproposalsmoresuccessfulthanothers?Whatskillsareimportantwhen
presentingtoCityCouncilmembers?4. WhyisitimportanttoresearchmembersofCityCouncilandtohaveanunderstandingoftheir
backgroundsandareasofinterestbeforepresentingtothem?5. WhyisitimportantwhenpreparingapresentationforCityCounciltoconsiderpossible
opposition?6. WhatfactorsactuallyinfluenceaCityCouncilinthedecisionstheymake?7. Inwhatwayscanindividualcitizensparticipateinlocalgovernment?Whyitimportanttoletyour
opinionbeknown?8. Doyoufeelitisimportantthatindividualcitizenslobbytheirlocalgoverningbodiestoadopt
greenpoliciessuchaspledgingtoreducecarbonemissions?Whyorwhynot?9. Ifyourlocalgoverningbodyadoptedacarbonreductionpledge,howmighttheenvironmental
qualityofyourcitychange?Howwouldsuchadecisionaffectyouasanindividual?
CreateaBumperStickerAssignment:BasedonyourparticipationintheCardinalCityCouncilEnvironmentalSimulation,choosethegreenproposalyoumostsupport(regardlessofwhatyoupresentedon)andcreateabumpersticker.Youmayalsochoosetocreateageneralbumperstickeraddressinglocalgovernment’sroleinenvironmentalresponsibility.Thebumperstickermustcontainthefollowing:
TheBumperStickerPossiblePoints
/20Points Thebumperstickermustcontainanoriginalslogan,word,orphrasethatexpressesanattitudeaboutoneormoreofthegreenproposalspresentedinthecitycouncilsimulationoraboutlocalgovernmentsroleinenvironmentalresponsibility.Thesloganmustbeanexpressionthatiseffectiveandconvincingtoitsintendedaudience.
/20Points Thebumperstickermustcontainanappropriatevisualimageorsymbol./10Points Theoverallworkmustbecreativeandclearlyshowtoitsviewerthatgreateffortwas
putforthincreatingandcompletingthebumpersticker.
TheParagraphYoumustalsowriteaparagraphexplainingyourbumperstickeranditsgoal/purpose.Theparagraphmust:
PossiblePoints
/20Points Theparagraphmustexplainwhyyouchosethetextyoudidaswellasthevisualimageandexactlywhatthebumperstickermeans.
/20Points Theparagraphshouldalsoexplainthetargetaudience.(Example:CityCouncil
members,localcitizens,environmentalists,apatheticteens,etc.)/10Points Theparagraphneedstobewritteninlegiblepenortyped.Youmustusecomplete
sentencesthatconnectideastoreceivefullcreditfortheassignment./100Points TotalPointsforthisAssignment
BumperStickerExample:
CreateaPosterAssignment:BasedonyourparticipationintheCardinalCityCouncilEnvironmentalSimulation,choosethegreenproposalyoumostsupport(regardlessofwhatyoupresentedon)andcreateaposteradvertisingthisgreenpractice.Postersshouldcontainclearinformationregardingthegreenpractice,acatchyslogan,avisualimage,andwhy/howthecommunityshould/cansupporttheproposal.
PosterRubricPossiblePoints
/20Points Thepostermustcontainanoriginalslogan,word,orphrasethatexpressesanattitudeaboutoneormoreofthegreenproposalspresentedinthecitycouncilsimulation.Thesloganmustbeanexpressionthatiseffectiveandconvincingtoitsintendedaudience.
/20Points Thepostermustcontainappropriatevisualimagesorsymbols.
/20Points Thepostershouldcontaintextthatoffersdetailsorasummaryofthegreen
technique/technology./20Points Thepostermustcontaintextthatexplainshowandwhythecommunity
can/shouldsupportthisgreentechnology.
/20Points Theoverallworkmustbecreativeandclearlyshowtoitsviewerthatgreateffortwasputforthincreatingandcompletingtheposter.
/100Points TotalPointsforthisAssignment
PosterSloganandImageExample:
