Role Play Activity 2n23i

Role Play Activity Description This activity takes a contemporary or historical issue connected with the topic of study and allows students to play a variety of roles in a particular scenario. This activity takes one-half to one period to complete. Aims This activity seeks to demonstrate the variety of issues and personalities involved in the scientific enterprise to help them recognize that science is a social and socially-connected undertaking, allowing space for them to imagine themselves playing roles within the framework of science. Materials 1. Role Play Scenario Sheet, one for each student 2. Role Cards 3. Role Play Reflection Sheet, one for each student 4. Props, as necessary and available Procedure 1. Let your students know that they will be doing a role play about an issue or event that has to do with the topic they are studying. 2. Let them know that the overall question to keep in mind is, “What is my place in the larger narrative of scientific discoveries and scientific communities?” Remind your students of what they had discussed about this question previously, and lead a class-wide discussion on what the questions mean. You may wish to call out the following and ask students to discuss the individually: narrative, scientific discoveries, scientific communities. 3. Explain the rules of the Role Play to students: a. Students must play their role for at least one minute. b. After two minutes, they may “tag” a member of the audience to take on their role.

c. After three minutes, a student in the audience may “tag” a person playing a role to take on their role. d. Every five minutes, the students playing roles must “tag” a member of the audience to take on their role. e. The teacher may be “tagged.” 4. Hand out the Role Play Scenario Sheets to every student and read aloud as a class. Make connections with the content covered in class as appropriate. 5. Ask for volunteers or hand out Role Cards to students. 6. Allow students to play out the role play, abiding by the rules. 7. You may wish to ask students to play out the role play several times depending on time constraints, adding an additional piece of information about the scenario each time. 8. Hand out and ask students to complete the Role Play Reflection Sheet. 9. Bring the class back as a whole. Ask students to share what they wrote on the Role Play Reflection Sheet. 10. Ask your students if there was anything surprising they learned about the way science is done or how it interacts with other parts of society. 11. Ask your students how they could see themselves filling any of the roles played out. 12. Ask students how they would respond to the overarching question, “What is my place in the larger narrative of scientific discoveries and scientific communities?” based on their experience in the role play. 13. Ask students if there are any outstanding comments or questions.

Role Play Reflection Sheet What are three things that you learned about how science is done from doing the role play? 1. __________________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________________________

What role(s) did you enjoy or feel comfortable playing? Why?

Based on the role play, is doing science different than you thought? Why or why not?

Could you see yourself playing any of the roles in real life? Why or why not?