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The United States Colonization Commission is worried. In the past few years, our environment has continued to decline. The air is filthy and our water supplies are dirty and diminishing. There is a need for other planets to be colonized.
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THE TASK
Your team has been asked to make a proposal to create a new state of 6,000,000 humans somewhere in our solar system (sorry - not on Earth or our moon) as a test of whether it might be possible to someday do large scale colonization.
The state is to be self sufficient - you will only be allowed to bring enough materials to start your state. This means that, once your state is built and working, it must provide everything the settlers need. Other than what you brought, whatever is in the station must be made new, fixed easily, grown or recycled. It is a long way to Earth. Replacement parts, food, etc. cannot be shipped due to the high costs, $100,000 - $1,000,000 per pound, depending on your location. So - once your outpost is operational, you are on your own.
You will have limited ability to travel close to your new world in space (2,000,000 miles or 3,225,800 Km round trip) using shuttles, but remember you cannot supply your outpost from earth or any place more than 1,000,000 miles or 1,612,900 Km away. The state may be put on any other planet or moon, or may be put in orbit around the sun or a planet or moon in our solar system.
You will present your proposal to a United States Colonization Commission made of other teams who will then help the High Commissioner (the teacher) pick the best proposal by questioning your proposal.
PRODUCTS
THE PROCESS
ROLES
Everyone in the group will share the role of Interplanetary
Surveyor. After that, decide what responsibilities your group members
should have from the other roles below.
Some team members may have more
than one role.
INTERPLANETARY SURVEYOR
Make decisions on the site of your territory.
Remember that for this simulation your group is to assume that the territory location has an atmosphere like earth. Use the Crews Bibliography format
to cite the sources you use for information.
In particular consider:
1. Where will
your new state be located? Be specific!
What planet? (Again assume for this simulation that your planet has a similar environment to earth, plenty of water, forests, fertile land, etc.)
2. At a speed of 40,323 Km per hour (the speed needed for your space ship
to escape Earth's gravity), how long will it take to get to your state?
U. S. Government Officials
1. What will be the governing body of the
state? (Look at the State of Georgia)
What does the U.S./GA Constitutions say about states? Explain
2. Your new state must have a way for people to earn a living. (jobs) List parts of the U.S. Constitution that relate to the economy. Then explain how your group will set up an economy for your
state? Will your new economy be diverse? Explain
Parts of the U.S./GA Constitution that relate to the economy are:
Our state economy will be based on: (List specfic types of jobs)
3. List the duties of each “citizen” in the
state. (See the U.S./GA
Constitution for duties of
citizens)
4. Will the rights from the Bill of Rights be extended to your new
state? Will citizens of your state have all of the same rights as a person living in the continental U.S.? Explain. (Examine the Bill of Rights and decide if anything in it could stop your state from being successful.)
5. What protection, if any, will the U.S. need to extend to your
state? Under the constitution as a state of the U.S. are you entitled to
protection? Explain.
6. Will residents be forced to serve in the armed services of the U.S.?
Explain.
7. Can residents run for congress? Explain.
8. Your area is a state. What kind of representation will your new state have in congress? Explain.
Territorial Government Officials
1. Can settlers born in the new state become President of the U.S. in the future? Why or Why not?
2. Can citizens of the new state run for U.S.Congress? Can they run for the state legislature? Governor? If you form cities or counties can they run for commissioners/mayors? Why or Why not?
3. What rights will you give your citizens in the
new state? (See US/GA Constitutions)
Could these rights be a danger to the new state government? How?
4. Will you have an army for your state or rely on the U.S. Army? Explain.
5. What kind of justice system will you set up? (courts / penial system/police)
6. Will you set up schools for the children? Explain how you will do this equitable throughout the state.
7. Will your state have its own monetary system or us the currency of the U.S.? Explain.
8 Will separation of church and state still exist in your state? Explain.
9. Will the electoral process be the same in your state as it was in the U.S.? Explain.
10. Will your territory apply for statehood and become the 51st state? What are the advantages? Disadvantages?
11. Will you set up cities/counties within your new state? Explain.
Transportation Engineer
1. What energy source will you use for your transportation since your in space?
(Show research on futuristic energy sources.)
Explain why it is the best. Also explain why it will not pollute your new state.
2. What alternate energy source will you need if conditions make the first one not usable? Explain why is a good source to use.
3.What transportation system will your territory develop? (Will you depend on Earth transportation systems like cars, boats, planes or develop new systems? Show research on futuristic transportation systems.) How will it get needed raw materials/transport people from one part of your new state to the manufacturing areas of your state? Explain. (Make drawings or diagrams of your transportation system in your powerpoint.)
Postal Service/Water Engineer
How will your territory set up a post office for mail? Is a post office outdated? Should your
territory only use electronic mail? If so how will it work? (Research how electronic mail works and using the research
develop a system for your new state complete with diagrams.)
Also create a brochure describing why someone may wish to settle in your space state. Include descriptions and points of interests for them to tour.
Also tell how you'll set up an underground water/sewage system with diagrams.
Media Engineer
How will you set up all of the computers for your new state? Show
diagrams.
What kind of media will be allowed in your state? Your media services has to follow U.S. Federal regulations for the media? (TV, Radio, Internet) Research these regulations and tell how your system will be in compliance.
Also explain how you will control: computer hackers and enforce DVD/CD copyright laws.
PROGRESS CHECK:
After four days of research, give the High Commissioner a copy of the
results of your research, including the exact location of your state,
and a list of your decisions so far.
Units
Converter will tell you just how many miles or kilometers in an A.U.,
and much more.
GENERAL RESOURCES
Our Library! It is the fastest way to find background information. Someone once said that "The internet is a place where a person can find information in an hour when it would take ten minutes in a library." There is a great deal of truth to that statement.
Constitution of the United States of America
United States - Executive Branch
Images courtesy of NASA.
Thanks to Richard Levine, Cool Lessons, Educational Technology Consultant, at comments@coollessons.org for the idea for this activity.