CORE QUESTION: Is there a limit to the ability of the earth to sustain a population? If an over-population problem exists, what solutions should be offered? If over-population is not a significant concern, why is population not a problematic environmental issue?

OVERVIEW: Problems associated with over-population have caused significant problems throughout the world. The Model UN Simulation Activity asks students to take the role of country delegates and NGO representatives in an attempt to develop and debate resolutions that seek to provide remedies to the problems of over-population. In this lesson, students will be asked to conduct independent and cooperative research, create and debate resolutions, and discuss the issues that emerged from the simulation.

TIME REQUIRED: A minimum of four 80 minute block periods.

SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL: Grades 9 - 12

INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS:

• Social Studies: Design and develop resolutions, debate resolutions, develop research, writing, and speaking skills in relation to international policy.
• English: Cover the Model UN Simulation as the role of a reporter and write a summary of the conference or an editorial.
• Science: Students may take the role of a scientific expert on various aspects of population.

NEW JERSEY CORE CONTENT STANDARDS: 6.9.8, 6.9.9

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:

1. Students will judge if there is a limit to the ability of the earth to sustain a population.
2. Students will synthesize possible solutions to over-population.

STRATEGIES:

Day 1:

1. Assuming the issue of population has been covered in previous lessons, the teacher should review key aspects. If population has not been covered, please refer to previous lessons found in this module.
2. The teacher should assign each student (or pair of students) a specific nation, or NGO organization to explore and answer the following questions:
   1. How significant of a problem is population in the view of your nation or NGO?
   2. Why is population a problem or not a problem according to your nation or NGO?
   3. If population is a problem to your nation or NGO, what remedies do you offer?
   Note - Students may select any nation that has a position on the topic of population. Suggested NGO groups are Zero Population Growth, The Rainforest Alliance, and Greenpeace.
3. The teacher should hand out the research paper, resolution, and opening statement requirements.
4. The teacher should allow his or her class to begin research into the issue of population and allow a suggested one additional block period to research their issue and consult with their partners, if students are assigned in pairs.

Day 2:

1. Students should conduct research into the issue of population from their assigned perspective. For homework, students must have their research paper, resolution, and opening statement.

Day 3:

1. Students should present their opening statements to the class (or classes). The teacher should limit each opening statement to one minute in length. Students should take notes on the opening statements so they decipher which nations or NGOs they share similar views with and can create joint resolution at the caucus meetings.
2. Students should break into their caucus groups and create joint resolutions for debate the next two block periods. The teacher should either have computers available, or have paper or scissors to cut and paste students pre-made resolutions.

Day 4 - 5:

1. Students will present their joint resolutions and each one will be debated on and then voted on. It is suggested that you allow students to speak in favor or against the resolution for no more than 2 minutes. A third group can also speak to the resolution meaning they have questions concerning the resolution which need to be answered before deciding whether they are for or against the resolution. Parliamentary procedures should be followed while the resolutions are being presented.

Day 6:

1. The teacher should lead the class in a scored discussion/debriefing about the simulation. Questions should be created by the teacher based on issues the students presented during the simulation. However, the teacher should probe the class to decipher what their positions are regarding how significant of an environmental problem population is.

MATERIALS:

Computers, Scissors, Tape, Microphone (Optional), Podium (Optional)

REFERENCES:

• INTERNET: http://www.un.org

ASSESSMENT:

1. Position Paper on the issue of population from the role of the nation delegate, NGO representative, or environmental science expert. See rubric link for suggested scoring.
2. Opening Statement on the issue of population from the role of the nation delegate, NGO representative, or environmental science expert. See rubric link for suggested scoring.
3. Resolution on the issue of population from the role of the nation delegate, NGO representative, or environmental science expert.
4. Participation in Model UN Simulation. See rubric link for suggested scoring.
5. Newspaper article or editorial. See rubric link for suggested scoring.
6. Scored discussion (debriefing) on issues that were raised during the simulation. See rubric link for suggested scoring