3 minute read
These Lawrence Kids / Model UN
These Lawrence Kids... West Middle School Model UN
Research policies of a foreign nation and form
comprehensive arguments defending those policies?
No problem.
photos contributed by Jessica Miescher-Lerner
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Nurturing the intellect and spirit of children
“These students, the work they put into Model UN and their passion to succeed are so admirable,” says West Middle School gifted teacher and Model UN advisor, Jessica Miescher-Lerner. “I’m just so proud of them.”
Model UN is an intense international relations / current events / public speaking extension which simulates the work of the actual United Nations. Students (7th & 8th graders) spent the academic year preparing for a two-day Topeka Model UN conference. The application process for the program is intensive. Students need to demonstrate leadership, ability to respectfully debate opponents with opposing views and are intense critical thinkers who can think on their feet.
“Students spend all year researching the positions of their county and the opposing viewpoints,” Miescher-Lerner explains. “This is intensive research into political policies of a foreign government. Sometimes they need to learn arguments that directly contradict their own personal beliefs. That’s certainly a learning experience for the students.”
When students begin the program, each is able to pick a country they would like to represent from a predetermined pool. Research and debate topics are selected by the competition board.
“Ireland was my first choice,” says Cayman Barnes, a 7th grader. “My great, great grandparents sailed to the United States from Ireland, so it’s a big deal for me and my dad.”
Cayman had to research and write position payments supporting Ireland’s stance on gay rights, Serbian refugees and climate change.
“I support the position Ireland has on all of those issues, so that wasn’t a challenge for me,” she says. “But finding news articles when I was in the research process was sometimes challenging.”
Like Cayman, Gillian Sellet got her first pick of countries.
“I was really drawn to Mongolia,” the 7th grader explains. “There’s not a lot of research, from an anthropological standpoint, on the country. My dad is an anthropologist, so it really interested me.”
Sellet, who received best affirmation speech in her council and also third place for best delegate at the Topeka UN event, says she was over prepared for her arguments.
“I was really, really nervous before it began,” she says. “But soon after it started I kind of realized I was over prepared. I had a lot of arguments prepared that I knew I wouldn’t use. I guess that helped me relax because I knew I was ready. I think researching my positions, and the opposition, might be the hardest I’ve ever worked on something, actually.”
Both Cayman and Gillian are enthusiastic about Model UN in 8th grade.
“It was a lot of fun,” Sellet says. “Now that I’ve done it, I know what I can do next year to better prepare my arguments and I know what I don’t need to worry about.”
Cayman says the entire process was memorable.
“I got to talk to my friends in class and during research,” she explains. “It was more fun than I thought it would be. Plus, I got to learn a lot about other countries and cultures. I think it’s really important to learn whats going on in the world.”
Miescher-Lerner heaps praise on the 6 students that attended the Topeka Model UN event. The entire process is daunting, she says.
“I challenge anyone, let alone 7th and 8th graders, to research complex political and cultural topics of a foreign country and then form comprehensive arguments for and against them,” she says. “These kids jumped in head first. I’m so proud of them and excited to see what they can do next year.” LK
