INTRODUCTION
The Civil War that is happening in Syria right now, has now become a global problem for all countries as people are now running away from this country looking for a save heaven in other countries all around the world. Refugees are going through life threaten challenges to find a place where they can feel and be safe from the now 5 year on going war, almost 6 this 2016.
In this project we were trying to raise awareness about this problem, and help people understand what is going on in their world right now.
Our learning goal was:
"By the end of this project each one of us will be an expert on the Syrian refugee crisis, to the extent that we could each handle being interviewed about it on the radio, for an hour, like it was no big deal".
WHY A SIMULATION?
At the beginning we had various different options for our final product, we even had the help of the IRC(International Rescue Committee). One of our options was to write an article that will raise awareness to anyone who read it, another one was to write a play and the other, to build an exhibition.
It turned out to be more difficult. The IRC article was soon discarded, but, the class was divided in either writing a play and leading an exhibition.
One day after school, a meeting took place, where a small group of students, me included, discussed what to do. We decided to find a way to combine both ideas and please everyone. After some talk, the idea of a simulation was offered. I had the idea of a simulation for awhile then, so then we started to discuss the idea and way to present the idea.
We thought that to give a better understanding and reach people in a deeper way, was to put them through the same experiences the refugees go through.
The Civil War that is happening in Syria right now, has now become a global problem for all countries as people are now running away from this country looking for a save heaven in other countries all around the world. Refugees are going through life threaten challenges to find a place where they can feel and be safe from the now 5 year on going war, almost 6 this 2016.
In this project we were trying to raise awareness about this problem, and help people understand what is going on in their world right now.
Our learning goal was:
"By the end of this project each one of us will be an expert on the Syrian refugee crisis, to the extent that we could each handle being interviewed about it on the radio, for an hour, like it was no big deal".
WHY A SIMULATION?
At the beginning we had various different options for our final product, we even had the help of the IRC(International Rescue Committee). One of our options was to write an article that will raise awareness to anyone who read it, another one was to write a play and the other, to build an exhibition.
It turned out to be more difficult. The IRC article was soon discarded, but, the class was divided in either writing a play and leading an exhibition.
One day after school, a meeting took place, where a small group of students, me included, discussed what to do. We decided to find a way to combine both ideas and please everyone. After some talk, the idea of a simulation was offered. I had the idea of a simulation for awhile then, so then we started to discuss the idea and way to present the idea.
We thought that to give a better understanding and reach people in a deeper way, was to put them through the same experiences the refugees go through.
EVENT SEQUENCE AND CHARACTER SHEET
The event sequence was based of a character sheet, which tells the story of a refugee, and the event sequence is like a map that leads you through this story
The event sequence was based of a character sheet, which tells the story of a refugee, and the event sequence is like a map that leads you through this story
ahmad_mahid.pdf |
ahmad_majid_part2.pdf |
How this event sequences and character sheets helped us create the simulation is simple, they helped us created a simulation with various options and endings, making it seem more realistic and put people in situations where they need to make a choice. Having a map is something, you follow it and you arrive at the ending, done. But, having a map with various endings you don't know of, just adds to the experience of not really knowing what to do and how your journey is going to end.
The event sequence was our layout to create our simulation, and the character sheet the game rules for every single player.
The event sequence was our layout to create our simulation, and the character sheet the game rules for every single player.
refugee_stories_-_unhcr_and_hony.pdf |
The character journey I mapped out was Ahmad Mahid.
HANDOUT
In this handout I wrote the journey of a refugee named Ahmad. In this I wrote all stages and happening in his journey, and what happened, who was involved and what happened to them.
I'm really proud of it because I'm basically writing a story, which is what I most love to do and how I was able to get so much information in such short descriptions.
This happenings is what shapes people, what happened in their life id mostly what made them who they are today. Their stories is one important part of the creation of a character, and writing out the story of our characters for our simulations, makes people believe that they are more real than anyone thinks.
I'm really proud of it because I'm basically writing a story, which is what I most love to do and how I was able to get so much information in such short descriptions.
This happenings is what shapes people, what happened in their life id mostly what made them who they are today. Their stories is one important part of the creation of a character, and writing out the story of our characters for our simulations, makes people believe that they are more real than anyone thinks.
MODELS
We did not only read about refugees lives, we also read about already existing simulations games and even played a few.
One that I really enjoy doing was "MissionUS: Flight to Freedom" because it did not only treated a real life subject with a fictional character, but the game has different options and makes you think on what should be done next, and has different endings.
One of the model simulation we went through was when we walked through the canyon behind the school, where we had to "run" from ISIS and find refuge in the other side of the border, Mexico. We had stations, where we were informed of what happened, whether we had to leave stuff of ours behind, or one of got hurt and needed help. Also how we planned on getting to the other side of the border(which in my situation was no problem as I was born in Mexico and had my identification).
That's mainly how we got the idea on having a simulation with different options, routes and endings.
We did not only read about refugees lives, we also read about already existing simulations games and even played a few.
One that I really enjoy doing was "MissionUS: Flight to Freedom" because it did not only treated a real life subject with a fictional character, but the game has different options and makes you think on what should be done next, and has different endings.
One of the model simulation we went through was when we walked through the canyon behind the school, where we had to "run" from ISIS and find refuge in the other side of the border, Mexico. We had stations, where we were informed of what happened, whether we had to leave stuff of ours behind, or one of got hurt and needed help. Also how we planned on getting to the other side of the border(which in my situation was no problem as I was born in Mexico and had my identification).
That's mainly how we got the idea on having a simulation with different options, routes and endings.
STATION DOCS
Research Station Doc
In this document, my team and I wrote all the information of our country. My part in this was researching all prominent religions in USA, which was information needed to see how easy it will be for refugees to find a place here in US. Also how certain types of religions are taken.
Something else I also researched was gender equality/human rights, which could effect refugees because of their own religion and beliefs in the way we treat gender equality in society, which could maybe go against their own beliefs.
Vision For Our Station Doc
On this document we wrote about what we wished our station to look like. We researched what is involved in embassies and the people involved.
We researched real life pictures, about the people involved, the places refugees go to and how it could work.
We included maps to show how our station would work and what is in it.
Station Design Doc
Here is the final, this the combination of our research doc and our vision doc. In here we wrote how the station is going work, what is going to be there, who are the character, how the characters look like, how they act; we design what is going to happen in the station, what you have to go through, and how your experience there can start, go, and end, various different ways for it to happen.
In this document I created all the characters, with the help of my team and classmates. I really proud of them because, as my wish to become a writer, creating characters is one of my favorite parts of writing a book or story, and this was kind of hard because I had to base all this characters in real life events or people that I, myself, don't personally know, so being able to write such compelling characters was something I really feel proud of.
Research Station Doc
In this document, my team and I wrote all the information of our country. My part in this was researching all prominent religions in USA, which was information needed to see how easy it will be for refugees to find a place here in US. Also how certain types of religions are taken.
Something else I also researched was gender equality/human rights, which could effect refugees because of their own religion and beliefs in the way we treat gender equality in society, which could maybe go against their own beliefs.
Vision For Our Station Doc
On this document we wrote about what we wished our station to look like. We researched what is involved in embassies and the people involved.
We researched real life pictures, about the people involved, the places refugees go to and how it could work.
We included maps to show how our station would work and what is in it.
Station Design Doc
Here is the final, this the combination of our research doc and our vision doc. In here we wrote how the station is going work, what is going to be there, who are the character, how the characters look like, how they act; we design what is going to happen in the station, what you have to go through, and how your experience there can start, go, and end, various different ways for it to happen.
In this document I created all the characters, with the help of my team and classmates. I really proud of them because, as my wish to become a writer, creating characters is one of my favorite parts of writing a book or story, and this was kind of hard because I had to base all this characters in real life events or people that I, myself, don't personally know, so being able to write such compelling characters was something I really feel proud of.
PLAY TEST 1
A play test is when you try out a game to look for bugs or problems, so we did one ourselves for our simulation.
The first play test took place in the archery field at our school, it was big, and the sun would always be high in the sky whenever we were outside. In this play test, the stations were spread out, and were smaller, not much but some tables or chairs, even some were made of card boxes. We, my station, was not much, made of two tables, some chairs, and small cast of characters with no story. It wasn't much, we got at least three people seeking asylum.
All of them were rejected.
No changes were made.
A play test is when you try out a game to look for bugs or problems, so we did one ourselves for our simulation.
The first play test took place in the archery field at our school, it was big, and the sun would always be high in the sky whenever we were outside. In this play test, the stations were spread out, and were smaller, not much but some tables or chairs, even some were made of card boxes. We, my station, was not much, made of two tables, some chairs, and small cast of characters with no story. It wasn't much, we got at least three people seeking asylum.
All of them were rejected.
No changes were made.
PLAY TEST 2
It was the same as play test 1, but it was after this that we decided to make changes.
We all agreed that our station wasn't completely realistic, so we had to dig deeper. We researched more about the screening process in United States; like this more came to be created, and that's what made us create a more complex station with more compelling characters. Our two table station, became a four table station with medical equipment, US banners, rejecting and accepting stamps, the checking of documents and medial tests. We also had security checking and interviewing. We also designed a false positive.
It was the same as play test 1, but it was after this that we decided to make changes.
We all agreed that our station wasn't completely realistic, so we had to dig deeper. We researched more about the screening process in United States; like this more came to be created, and that's what made us create a more complex station with more compelling characters. Our two table station, became a four table station with medical equipment, US banners, rejecting and accepting stamps, the checking of documents and medial tests. We also had security checking and interviewing. We also designed a false positive.
PLAY TEST 3
In this play test we actually had people to test it with, which were ninth graders. This was the first run of our newly changed station with props and screening process.
Students came in group of ten or more, some were denied in the Turkish refugee camp and were send to smugglers, while others were accepted and were allowed into the USA embassy if they wished to go to America. They would first be checked to have their documents and their stuff would also be checked, they would then go onto a small interview where they are allowed to look at their documents. After that they would have a medical check, to see is there any health problems that may be a danger to US. After being checked, they would go to the last part, which is another interview, but this time, they could not look at their documents and more stuff was searched then just name and history, but also small details that may look insignificant. Most people were rejected during this.
The station worked and not many changes were made.
In this play test we actually had people to test it with, which were ninth graders. This was the first run of our newly changed station with props and screening process.
Students came in group of ten or more, some were denied in the Turkish refugee camp and were send to smugglers, while others were accepted and were allowed into the USA embassy if they wished to go to America. They would first be checked to have their documents and their stuff would also be checked, they would then go onto a small interview where they are allowed to look at their documents. After that they would have a medical check, to see is there any health problems that may be a danger to US. After being checked, they would go to the last part, which is another interview, but this time, they could not look at their documents and more stuff was searched then just name and history, but also small details that may look insignificant. Most people were rejected during this.
The station worked and not many changes were made.
FINAL PLAY TEST
The final play test refugees were 10th graders.
In this play test was when we tested and came up with final refinements to our station and screening process of USA. During this play test was when we changed our station again. Our station changed to a two tale station with four chairs, smaller then expected. One detail that we didn't exactly like was that there were earwig bugs everywhere, dead and alive. Seeing them everywhere made shiver run up my spine, but I thought that they only made the simulation more realistic.
The tenth graders were more behaved than the 9th graders, but since they are closer to us, they would tend to joke with us and sometimes not even take things seriously, making it hard for to stay in character and take them seriously and the situation at hand.
But the group that made it to our embassy were mostly well behaved and were easy to interact with.
In the end we were sure that we were almost ready; the problem was terrain, we were cramped with the Turkish refugee camp and the Canadian embassy, and the place we were at blocked the entrance to the refugees.
The final play test refugees were 10th graders.
In this play test was when we tested and came up with final refinements to our station and screening process of USA. During this play test was when we changed our station again. Our station changed to a two tale station with four chairs, smaller then expected. One detail that we didn't exactly like was that there were earwig bugs everywhere, dead and alive. Seeing them everywhere made shiver run up my spine, but I thought that they only made the simulation more realistic.
The tenth graders were more behaved than the 9th graders, but since they are closer to us, they would tend to joke with us and sometimes not even take things seriously, making it hard for to stay in character and take them seriously and the situation at hand.
But the group that made it to our embassy were mostly well behaved and were easy to interact with.
In the end we were sure that we were almost ready; the problem was terrain, we were cramped with the Turkish refugee camp and the Canadian embassy, and the place we were at blocked the entrance to the refugees.
ESSAY
If you were about to be interviewed about the Civil War that is going on in Syria, you should know how the war started, who are involved, what is happening right now, and what is done to deal with it.
My essay was mostly about the refugee crisis, I wrote a fictional story about a refugee, which was based on real facts, and other refugees stories. I wrote about the reasoning of her leaving, what happened, how she escaped and how she made it to safety, all the time describing everything that was going on during the journey.
My essay was mostly about the refugee crisis, I wrote a fictional story about a refugee, which was based on real facts, and other refugees stories. I wrote about the reasoning of her leaving, what happened, how she escaped and how she made it to safety, all the time describing everything that was going on during the journey.
REAL SIMULATION
On the day of the simulation, I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. As soon as the time came to get ready everyone was rushing out and everywhere getting ready for the simulation. Our station was almost ready, the problem still being that we were cramped in one small space with the Turkish camp and the Canadian embassy.
After some time and discussion, we were able to finally find a solution, we just moved a little, and set up our station right beside the Turkish camp, Canada in front besides us.
This new formation worked better than before, the refugees leaving the camp could come directly to us, Canada, or go to he smugglers.
The way our stations were now positioned, we were able to avoid bottle necks between stations, making faster process with the screening, moving more swiftly than before.
Still, the screening process was so picky, searching for the smallest of details, making it almost impossible for anyone to be accepted into United States; 1/10 people were accepted in.
But in the end, the station was a success, people kept complementing us and congratulating us in our work, to the point when another teacher from another High Tech High asked us if we could run our simulation at their school. We agreed. Our simulation will happen again next month.
On the day of the simulation, I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. As soon as the time came to get ready everyone was rushing out and everywhere getting ready for the simulation. Our station was almost ready, the problem still being that we were cramped in one small space with the Turkish camp and the Canadian embassy.
After some time and discussion, we were able to finally find a solution, we just moved a little, and set up our station right beside the Turkish camp, Canada in front besides us.
This new formation worked better than before, the refugees leaving the camp could come directly to us, Canada, or go to he smugglers.
The way our stations were now positioned, we were able to avoid bottle necks between stations, making faster process with the screening, moving more swiftly than before.
Still, the screening process was so picky, searching for the smallest of details, making it almost impossible for anyone to be accepted into United States; 1/10 people were accepted in.
But in the end, the station was a success, people kept complementing us and congratulating us in our work, to the point when another teacher from another High Tech High asked us if we could run our simulation at their school. We agreed. Our simulation will happen again next month.