[BHS etree] CLUBS: World Affairs Challenge Update

[bhs at idiom.com]

Contact: Rio Bauce {Willard2008 at aol.com}

Hi All Parents-

We were very happy with the amazing response we received from parents willing to coach Berkeley High's first ever World Affairs Challenge Team. We had our first meeting on Wednesday and although we posted flyers and put in an announcement, the turnout was not too great. So I am passing along to you information on the World Affairs Challenge and if your son or daughter is interested, you could have them contact me by calling 841-5420 (ask for Rio) or emailing me above.

Below is the information: 

How Does It Work?
Students spend up to twelve weeks preparing a formal presentation on an international topic related to the annual theme, with administrative and research support provided by Project Spera. The theme for the 2005 Challenge is "World Energy: Empowering the Future" The end of the research process culminates with the World Affairs Challenge event. During the Challenge, students compete in four different events that test their knowledge, their presentation skills, and their ability to work collaboratively. Teachers serve primarily as coaches, helping students prepare for the day. Often teachers incorporate the Challenge topic into course curriculum, using materials developed and provided by CTIR. 

Developed in 1991 at the University of Denver’s Center for Teaching International Relations, the World Affairs Challenge is now expanding across the country.

What Are The Four Elements?
     •     The Formal Presentation: Each team has 15 minutes to present its extensive research and analysis, to identify the major policy issues raised, and to propose reasonable solutions. Presentations often take the form of creative skits or simulations as students choose how they can best communicate their understanding of the topic's complexities. Community members judge the Presentations based on content, creativity, and organization.

     •     A Global Awareness Quiz: This short, multiple-choice assessment tests students' knowledge of global geography, world events, and aspects of the annual theme. The Quiz heightens the sense of competition and is scored individually as well as averaged for the team.

     •     The Collaborative Question: For this event, students are organized into new teams with peers from other schools. Participants are presented with a real-world scenario, including support materials and data, for which they have about 30 minutes to come to consensus on a response. After this preparation time, judges join the teams to hear student ideas and engage in substantive dialogue with them regarding the scenario.

     •     The Discovery Poster: The Poster is a visual representation of each team's Formal Presentation. This component allows students to see each other's research, analysis, and findings. Judges score the posters based on their creativity and content.


Through these four diverse elements, the World Affairs Challenge allows students with a variety of skills and backgrounds to come together as representatives of their schools while increasing their awareness of fundamental issues facing the global community.

For more information, visit http://www.projectspera.org.

Thank you.


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