Year 8 Big Ideas: Let the Games Begin!

On Thursday of Week 1, the Year 8 students began the World Communities Game. After being divided into twenty six countries, each student took on the role of either Government, Banker, Ambassador to the United Nations or National Media. Countries were allocated resources that reflected their situation in the real world, and allowed to trade their resources to improve their country's position.

The students acting as National Media altered their Twitter name and photo to reflect their national identity, and tweeted their response to events unfolding in the game.

In Week 2, the students were confronted by their first group challenge...Ebola! The disease spread rapidly from the first contaminated nations to enter the trading floor, and soon made its way through the majority of the world community.

Groups could combat the disease by using their tokens to fund health workers, who would reduce the rate of disease in their countries, or research scientists, who could potentially develop a life saving vaccine.

The United Nations met to hear appeals from those countries struggling most with the disease, and decided (following rigorous debate) to supply vaccines to Nigeria and Ghana.

Several countries also received their Situation Cards in Week 2, and it was interesting to watch the students develop solutions to these potentially devastating challenges.

It has been a wonderful start to the term for Year 8 Big Ideas, and we look forward to watching the 

Year 8s grow and develop as the World Communities Game progresses.

Miss Emilie Reynolds

Year 8 Innovator