CFR Education: U.S. Arctic Policy Simulation

Positives

• This provides enough information for students to take a position on the topic, but encourages them to learn more about each option.
• There is a wide range of discussion options to choose from.

Additional Prerequisites

• Students may need the terms icebreakers, infrastructure, fetter, diplomatic, and others defined, prior to reading the article.
• Consider including background or supporting reading assignments prior to using this article for discussion.
  

Differentiation

• Geography students can further discuss the advantages and drawbacks of an ice-free Arctic, then predict other changes and events that may occur as a result.
• Geography students can also create a map, demonstrating the tactical and trade advantages an ice-free Arctic provides.
• Students can research the types of resources that are becoming available for extraction in the Arctic and discuss the effects on global warming, wildlife habitat, water quality, and global ecosystems if they are used or extracted.
• Students may benefit from a graphic organizer as they read and determine what stance they side with in the decision point.