All The World's Fair!

The students really stepped up for the end of year Inquiry Presentation - variously called The UN Summit, The World Fair or the End of the Global Game. Students were grouped into 22 "countries" and displayed maps, flags and economic data, cooked and served food, danced and played music, and generally discussed their documentation of this long-running role play.
The Global Game itself was based on the well known "Paper Chain Game" which simulates economic supply and demand. The various "countries" have different resources such as food, tools or energy, but no one country has all they need - so trade, alliances and conflict all come into play.
Through this game we have been able to both engage the kids in an extended form of enquiry, and also address many of the humanities listed in VELS such as geography, history and economics. The photos here show some of the dancers, and a panorama of one of the summit meetings where children discussed pressing world issues such as refugees, leadership and the possibility of a world without borders.
We'd like to thank all those parents who attended the World's Fair and particularly those who helped with costumes, cooking and other behind-the-scenes ways.

It's been great from our point of view and we look forward to more simulation games next year!