THE VOYAGE OF THE MIMI

       The Voyage of the Mimi curriculum combines video, print and software to create an interdisciplinary, thematic, multimedia approach to the material.  This curriculum uses video to draw students into a serialized dramatic adventure.  It consists of thirteen 15-minute episodes in a continuing adventure/drama, and thirteen 15-minute documentary format segments called expeditions.

       The dramatic adventure story is about the people and events on a research voyage to study humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine.  It accurately depicts how science is done and how scientists think about the world and seek to answer questions about its workings.  The documentary format expeditions are visits to places where interesting people are doing interesting work that relates to an aspect of science or other topic touched on in the dramatic episodes.  These expeditions take the students to places where real science is done, including the Plasma Fusion Center at MIT, the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, and the Landing Boatshop in Kennebunkport, Maine.
 
    Software includes “Ecosystems”  and “Maps and Navigation”.  “Ecosystems” explores the concept of interdependency, covering topics such as energy, food webs, and populations.  “Maps and Navigation” uses science, tools, and mathematics in a sequenced series of simulations.  Some of the things students will learn to do will be to triangulate locations using a radio direction finder and compass rose, and determine heading, distance, and speed using a compass rose, a distance scale, and the formula d=rxt.
 
 

   CARAVANS is a role-playing simulation which helps students improve their knowledge of world geography.  It is designed to reinforce students' basic geography skills while they travel around the world on a treasure quest as a member of a "caravan".  They will also use and refine group decision-making skills as they encounter obstacles and opportunities while they journey to cities throughout the world.  Students will use maps, almanacs, encyclopedias, and computers to find information such as capitals of the world's countries, how geographical location affects a country, major land masses and associated topographical features, as well as political, economic, and agricultural aspects of various countries.
 
 

 
 

TOWN GOVERNMENT

Decisions, Decisions: Town Government exposes students to the nuts and bolts of local government in America.  Drawing on the experiences of a typical American town, this simulation introduces many important topics and issues, including:
· An overview of how democracy works at the local level
· An overview of the differences between local, state, and federal        governments
· Key government terms (referendums, petitions, compromise, quorum, etc.)
· Fundamental economic concepts: taxes, budgets, services, infrastructure
· The rights and responsibilities of citizens
· The importance of political participation

Town Government builds and reinforces essential critical thinking and social skills.  Working in groups and sifting through conflicting information, students practice group problem solving and the individual skills that go with that process.  This unit mixes computer software, adviser briefing booklets, and group discussion to generate informed discussion and decision- making.  It is an interactive experience that combines engaging historical and contemporary content with an effective critical-thinking process.
 

 ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

To disagree is easy;
To dialogue is productive

    We can assume that students will meet people they disagree with throughout their lives.  That’s a given.  But we can’t assume they’ll know how to negotiate with those people successfully.  The universally valued skills of critical thinking and cooperative learning, and the ability to dialogue – not just to disagree, but to have meaningful conversation- are not innate.  These skills require constant and ongoing practice by students and adults.
     Decisions, Decisions: On the Campaign Trail introduces many important contemporary domestic and foreign policy issues in the context of a presidential election.  Topics covered include:
· The workings of the Electoral College
· The major differences between Democrat and Republican, liberal and conservative
· Campaign financing
· The power of special interest groups and political action committees (PACs)
· Contemporary campaign strategies

    The simulation draws from both current events and the history of campaign politics in the United States.  It presents valuable content in the areas of American history, social studies, critical thinking and cooperative learning.  Some of the content explored will be election history and contemporary issues.
  Working in groups and sifting through conflicting information students practice group problem-solving and the individual skills that go with that process.  These critical thinking skills will include analyzing historical and contemporary information, separating fact from opinion, predicting the consequences of actions and appreciating the complexities involved in decision-making.

 

Digital Storytelling
 

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