RJ Stangherlin

Keystone Technology Integrator and STAR Discovery Educator

This site is for Mrs. Stangherlin's classes at Salisbury High School.

Changing the World, One Teenager at a Time

NOTE: I cross-posted this entry to my new blog, Changing Connections.

Global humanitarian outreach.  Interscholastic collaboration.  Conflict resolution.  Multidisciplinary.  Standards-based learning.  Position papers.  Resolution writing, speaking, listening. Project-driven.  Real-life / life-long learning.  Teacher as facilitator.  Students controlling learning.  Language application that makes sense in crisis simulation.  Parliamentary procedure.  Passage of motions.  Inquiry-based learning.  Un/moderated caucuses.  Speakers’ list.  Essential Questions seeking Essential Global Answers.  Debate and closure.  Dividing the question.  Un/friendly Amendments.  Approval of amendments.  Passage of resolutions.  Engagement.  21st century topics with 21st century tools. 

Thirty-eight Salisbury students attend Kutztown University.  They join 13 other school districts on SATURDAY, January 18, from 8:30—4:30.  To get here, they worked with their advisor, Miss Brinson, every Friday morning before school, and then put in hours of preparation at home. 

What is it that drives them?  A desire to change the world through KU Model United Nations Conference.  What makes this experience unique?  KUMUNC gives high school students the opportunity to engage in dealing with world issues to try to develop unified global solutions, changing the world, one teenager at a time.  Authentic learning through collaboration.  A chance to move beyond what if you could change history to being the change agents.

What does the day look like? 

Students representing 66 different nations research and engage in point / counterpoint debates expressed through the perspective of the countries they are representing.  Students write impromptu resolutions and then politic and/or compromise to convince other nations to support their resolutions.  Delegates sit on one of four different committees throughout the day, including: General Assembly on AIDS and HIV, Commission on Human Rights, Commission on Criminal Prevention and Criminal Justice, and Crisis Simulation: Africa Hopes.  In each committee room, arguments move quickly, since delegates are restricted to a time limit. Consequently, teams representing countries need to forge alliances so they can yield time to the countries aligned with their proposals, giving them more time to press solutions forward.  The goal is to persuade the entire committee that your country’s resolutions should be adopted. 

We’ve saved the best for last!

In GA AIDS, Sean and Garred, representing Korea, won Best Position Paper.

Matt and Luke won the award for Distinguished Delegation for the Committee on Human Rights.

The entire delegation won the award for Distinguished Delegation.  Accepting for our delegation are Lindsey, Lauren, and Dan.
It felt like winning the Oscar for Best Picture with each of these awards.  We are so proud of our students!

If you are looking for examples of 21st century learning, Model UN completely and utterly embraces it.

Comments

I like teenagers programms...they are so popular nowadays!

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