Students are assigned characters ranging from executive political leaders (including international influencers and North Yasric officials), business representatives, social activists, environmental experts, journalists, and concerned citizens. Ultimately, South Yasric’s “National District Representatives” will vote “on” to turn the Zelfia nuclear plant back on or “off” to keep it shut down.
This year, a nuclear energy expert provided a 30-minute student overview on nuclear technology, its benefits, and its risks. Experts came from Los Alamos National Laboratory and UNM’s Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM). After each presentation, students were able to ask questions and the speakers floated among groups throughout the simulation.
Students received their character card at check-in and able to learn about their character before and during the expert presentation. In addition to experts able to answer general questions about nuclear technology, students were encouraged to ask the experts questions related to their character.
There are four rounds in NextGenSim 2020:
- Introduction. Students are pre-assigned small-groups according to their character’s hometown or profession. Students should assume their character and begin initial discussions/deliberations within their small groups.
- “Insider Info” introduced. Each student will receive a second card that is unique to their character and reveals hidden motives or additional information designed to complicate negotiations. Students are also assigned new “working groups”. They will be grouped with students according to professions.
- This round gets heated. Students return to their initial student groups (hometowns) for a one last opportunity to sway their legislator’s vote.
- Final round. Legislators from each district vote, live. Students who are assigned the role of a legislator must justify their vote in front of the student audience.