Board Game Bonanza: Fronterizos Economics Adventure!
Jennifer J
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Purpose
This 8-week project immerses high school students in the dynamic economic landscape of the San Diego-Tijuana border region, known as the Fronterizos. By designing a board game, students will explore the complexities of global trade and the maquiladora industry, examining their effects on local economies and societies. Through hands-on collaboration with community partners and experts, students will apply economic concepts and historical insights, fostering a deeper understanding of cross-border interactions and their real-world implications.
Learning goals
Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of global trade dynamics and the maquiladora industry's impact on the Fronterizos region. They will apply economic concepts such as supply and demand, trade balance, and tariffs to real-world scenarios. Through the creation of a board game, students will enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative skills. They will also gain insights into the cultural and economic landscape of Tijuana and San Diego, fostering an appreciation for cross-border interactions and their societal implications.
Standards
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
NGSS - HS-ETS1-1: Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
Products
Students will collaboratively design and build a board game that simulates the economic interactions between San Diego and Tijuana, incorporating elements of trade, tariffs, and local industries. The game will feature visual elements created in partnership with local artists, representing Tijuana's cultural and economic landscape. Students will also host a board game tournament, inviting community partners and local residents to play, providing feedback, and fostering discussions on the economic concepts and societal impacts depicted in the game.
Launch
Kick off the project with a dynamic 'Trade Routes Adventure' scavenger hunt at the Port of San Diego, where students gather clues about global trade's impact on the Fronterizos. This hands-on experience sets the stage for the project by immersing students in real-world trade dynamics. Additionally, host a 'Cross-Border Connections Panel' featuring guest speakers from San Diego and Tijuana industries affected by global trade, offering firsthand insights and sparking curiosity about the essential question.
Exhibition
Host a dynamic board game exhibition where students showcase their completed games to community partners, local residents, and guest economists. Students will facilitate gameplay sessions, guiding guests through the economic scenarios and strategies embedded in their games. The event will include interactive discussions where students articulate the economic concepts and societal impacts represented, encouraging feedback and dialogue. This exhibition will serve as a culmination of the students' learning journey, highlighting their creativity, collaboration, and understanding of global economics in the Fronterizos region.
