Here's a comprehensive, creative, and engaging multi-lesson plan for an upper-level high school social studies project in which students design and develop their own city-state. This project is interdisciplinary, touching on government, economics, geography, diplomacy, sustainability, urban planning, and the arts, with strong STEAM integration.
Project Title: “The Sovereign Blueprint: Building Your City-State”
Grade Level: 11-12
Duration: 4-6 weeks (can be adjusted)
Disciplines: Social Studies, Civics, Economics, Geography, Art, Environmental Science, Engineering, Technology, Math, English
End Product: Comprehensive city-state dossier, visual blueprint/model, policy documents, economic plan, and diplomatic simulation
Project Overview
Students will collaboratively (in groups of 3-4) create an original city-state from the ground up. They must choose a system of governance, craft a functioning economy, determine domestic resources and needs, develop defense and safety strategies, and design systems for peace, growth, prosperity, opportunity, and education.
Each group will interact with others to form trade and diplomatic relations, simulate summits, and present their city-states via physical or digital models, written policy briefs, and a summit presentation.
Core Themes and Questions:
- What kind of government best serves your citizens - and why?
- How will your economy function? What industries are prioritized?
- What natural and human resources do you have, and what do you need?
- How do you promote safety, justice, equality, and opportunity?
- What are your environmental priorities? How sustainable is your growth?
- What does your city look like, and why?
Week 1: Foundations of a Civilization
Essential Questions:
- What makes a civilization thrive or collapse?
- How do geography and resources shape societies?
- Mini-Lecture & Discussion: Historical and modern city-states (Athens, Venice, Singapore, Vatican City, etc.)
- Geography Workshop (STEAM): Students randomly draw terrain types (coastal, mountainous, plains, archipelago, etc.) - these will affect access to trade, defense strategies, agriculture, etc.
- Map Creation (Art + Geography): Students sketch initial territorial map using topographic tools (digital or hand-drawn).
- How does geography limit or empower the development of a society?
Essential Questions:
- What does justice look like in your city-state?
- How is power distributed and checked?
- Government Stations: Students rotate around the room, each station highlighting a different system: constitutional republic, monarchy, technocracy, oligarchy, theocracy, direct democracy, socialist republic, etc.
- Group Decision: Each group picks a government type and writes a Constitutional Charter outlining:
- Power structure
- Law-making process
- Rights of citizens
- Law enforcement & justice system
- Civics & Coding: Use flowcharts or apps like Twine to create interactive representations of legal processes (e.g., how a law is passed).
- Why did you choose your system of governance? What are its strengths and potential pitfalls?
Week 3: Economics & Sustainability
Essential Questions:
- How will your people earn a living?
- How will your economy interact with the rest of the world?
- Resource Allocation Simulation: Groups receive a resource pack (randomized cards with minerals, crops, tech, etc.). They must categorize: Export, Import, Develop.
- Choose Economic System: Capitalism, socialism, mixed economy, etc. Develop:
- Industry focus (agriculture, tech, tourism, etc.)
- Currency design and exchange model
- Class structure (if any)
- Tax system
- Math & Tech: Budget planning spreadsheet + simulated GDP model using simple equations (teacher-guided).
- Eco-Engineering: Sketch plans for a sustainable energy system.
- How will your economic choices affect different classes of people over time?
Essential Questions:
- What defines your city-state’s identity?
- How do you nurture minds and communities?
- Education Blueprint: Design the structure of education in your city-state. Consider:
- Access
- Curriculum
- Public vs. private
- Role of arts, science, philosophy
- Culture Wall: Groups create visual “ads” or posters for holidays, festivals, public art, etc.
- Architecture + Urban Design: Using digital tools (SketchUp, Minecraft, City Skylines) or physical materials (cardboard, clay), build a basic layout of your city.
- Art + Engineering: Design a key public structure (museum, university, stadium, etc.) and explain form/function.
- Tech: Create a virtual tour or 3D flythrough.
- How does your city reflect the values you claim to uphold?
Week 5: Diplomacy, Trade, and Defense
Essential Questions:
- How do you maintain peace - and when do you protect yourself?
- How do you balance cooperation with competition?
- Diplomatic Simulation: A live negotiation between groups. Rules:
- Trade deals must be written and signed.
- Alliances may be formed.
- Conflicts must be resolved through structured debate (not warfare).
- Defense Strategy Plan:
- Internal (police, civil rights, surveillance?)
- External (military, defense budget, alliances?)
- Tech + Ethics: Debate use of AI, drones, surveillance in policing and warfare.
- Engineering: Design a defense or communication infrastructure.
- What are the ethical limits of your power? How will your city remain secure without becoming authoritarian?
Deliverables:
- City-State Dossier (PDF or booklet):
- Map
- Government structure
- Constitution excerpt
- Economic model + budget
- Education & culture plan
- Diplomatic agreements
- Trade summary
- Defense strategy
- Physical or Digital City Model
- Presentation at “Global City-State Summit”:
- 5-10 minute pitch
- Visuals encouraged
- Audience: classmates, invited teachers, possibly parents
- Optional: Panel judges can award titles (Best Diplomacy, Most Sustainable, Most Innovative, etc.)
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