A global negotiation, run from the classroom
GlobalEd 2 is a multiplayer, problem-based learning (PBL) simulation that connected classrooms across the country and used the multidisciplinary nature of social studies as an expanded space to teach science literacy and argumentation skills, while strengthening the core goals of the social studies classroom itself.
What GlobalEd 2 was
Implemented in 7th and 8th grade social studies classrooms and facilitated by the classroom teacher, GlobalEd 2 was designed to cultivate a scientifically literate citizenry by grounding science education in meaningful socio-scientific contexts related to the world students live in. Each simulation season connected approximately 12–16 classrooms nationwide in a live, multiplayer online simulation, with each classroom assigned to represent the interests of a specific country focused on an issue of global importance — such as water scarcity, climate change, or alternative energy.
From a decision-making standpoint, the goal for each country was to reach an agreement with at least one other country. Doing that well required students to understand core social studies concepts — geography, culture, political systems, economics — while also grasping the underlying science of the issue, and communicating it persuasively across classrooms using an argument-based writing model.
Three phases, one semester
Research
Classrooms studied their assigned country and the global issue at stake, building the geographic, political, economic, and scientific background needed to negotiate credibly.
Online Interaction
Students negotiated in real time with other classroom-countries across the country through the GlobalEd 2 multiplayer platform, exchanging argument-based written proposals in pursuit of an agreement.
Debriefing
Classrooms reflected on outcomes, strategies, and what they learned — reinforcing the content and skills built across the 14-week simulation.
Proven benefits, measured over a decade
GlobalEd 2 was used with over 6,000 middle grade students and their social studies teachers. Studies repeatedly showed significant pre-to-post gains — and the positive changes held across diverse student groups, including African-American, Hispanic, and female students, helping close achievement gaps in traditionally underserved populations.
- Increased interest in science-related education, careers, and global issues
- Stronger persuasive and argumentative writing skills
- Deeper science topic knowledge tied to real-world issues
- Greater quantity and depth of science topics discussed by students
- Larger achievement gains for students in urban and under-resourced schools
- Reduced achievement gaps across gender, racial, ethnic, and urban/suburban groups
- Increases in self-efficacy and confidence tackling STEM and social studies content
- Robust online professional development tools that helped teachers implement the curriculum
Built on two decades of simulation research
GlobalEd 2 drew on prior generations of educational simulation research and refinement, repeatedly demonstrating benefits for socio-scientific literacy, written argumentation, inquiry skills, and social studies and scientific content knowledge — plus gains in student self-efficacy and interest in STEM-related careers.