Role-Playing Scenarios
Only a few of the following examples are actually ready-to-run in an undergraduate classroom, but they will provide inspiration and materials for your own role-playing exercises. Many of the scenarios, characters, and assignments need a few added details, which will enable you to tailor them to your course.
Earth System Topics
- Atmosphere 9 matches
- Biosphere 8 matches
- Climate 9 matches
- Earth's Cycles 2 matches rock cycle, hydrologic cycle, carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle
- Geography 2 matches
- Human Dimensions 16 matches
- Hydrology 5 matches
- Oceans 2 matches
- Solar System and Astronomy 2 matches
- Solid Earth 9 matches
- Surface Processes 1 match
- Time/Earth History 1 match
Results 11 - 20 of 29 matches
Wonder Lake, a Case Study part of MnSCU Partnership:PKAL-MnSCU Activities
A town board based classroom scenario where students decide what to do with a parcel of land on the shoreline of a lake. Various interested parties try to purchase, but must answer town board questions in the process. Real issues of land-use, resource allocation, ethics, planning, and impacts.
An Activity to Introduce the Geoscience Perspective part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Role Playing:Examples
This role-playing exercise introduces students to geology by having them examine rocks from the perspective of a child, a sculptor, a geologist or someone from another walk of life.
Rescuing the Aral Sea: use of Case Method part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Teaching with the Case Method:Examples
A case based upon the environmental devastation of the Aral Sea that illustrates economic concepts of opportunity cost and social marginal cost.
Too many deer? A public hearing part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Teaching with the Case Method:Examples
Students reenact a public hearing to determine how to manage a deer herd that is overpopulated.
Recycle -- or not? A case from New York City part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Teaching with the Case Method:Examples
A case for the analysis of externalities (social costs and benefits) in the context of recycling. Drawn from a program in New York City.
The High Plains: Land of Extremes part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Role Playing:Examples
This lesson plan includes a debate about whether the black-footed ferret should be reintroduced onto public lands and a study of the High Plains habitat.
Science in the Courtroom: The Woburn Toxic Trial part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Role Playing:Examples
In this exercise, hydrology students role-play expert witnesses in a mock trial dealing with contamination of groundwater.
Jurassic Park Debate part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Role Playing:Examples
This role-playing exercise casts students as scientific specialists, assigned to a group either supporting or opposing the cloning of dinosaurs. Each group researches and presents its argument.
The Grand Canyon part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Role Playing:Examples
This interdisciplinary lesson plan deals with the consequences of damming in the Grand Canyon area. The students, role-playing as scientists, write a proposal to try experimental flooding.
Ideas for Resources: Geology Lab Manual part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Role Playing:Examples
This site offers an overview of role-playing activities and contains a partially-fleshed-out list of questions and situations dealing with water, minerals, and public policy.
