(gr. 4-8)

A Project-Based Learning (PBL) course asking students to design a new country that balances the needs of its people, environment, and global connections, while solving real-world problems.

Essential Question
How can we design a new country that balances the needs of its people, environment, and global connections while solving real-world problems?

Entry Event

Students are presented with a scenario:

The world is facing overcrowding, climate change, and political unrest. A coalition of international leaders has chosen YOU to design a new country from the ground up. Your team must solve challenges of governance, economy, culture, and sustainability, and present a vision for a thriving new nation.

Driving Problem

What does it take to create and sustain a successful new country that meets the needs of its citizens and is recognized globally?

Student Tasks & Deliverables

1. Founding Rationale

   • Deliverable: Manifesto or Declaration of Independence stating why this new country is needed.

   • DOK 4 Question: What are the long-term global, social, or environmental consequences if this country is not established? How does your solution address those needs better than current nations?

2. Government & Constitution

   • Deliverable: Constitution or Bill of Rights outlining the system of government and guiding principles.

   • DOK 4 Question: How would you design a government that balances fairness, efficiency, and representation? How could this government evolve if challenges or crises arise?

3. Economy & Industry

   • Deliverable: Economic Plan including major industries, imports/exports, and employment opportunities.

   • DOK 4 Question: How will your economic model adapt if global markets shift, resources become scarce, or new technologies emerge?

4. Culture & Identity

   • Deliverables: National Flag, Anthem, Cultural Norms & Traditions.

   • DOK 4 Question: How can symbols and traditions unify a diverse population while avoiding cultural exclusion or conflict?

5. Infrastructure & Housing

   • Deliverable: City Plan & Housing Blueprint.

   • DOK 4 Question: How can housing and infrastructure design support sustainability, equity, and resilience against climate or disaster challenges?

6. Global Relations

   • Deliverable: Foreign Policy Brief including alliances, trade agreements, and peacekeeping stance.

   • DOK 4 Question: How will your nation respond to conflicts or global crises, and what role will it play in international cooperation?

7. Sustainability & Environment

   • Deliverable: Environmental Policy Plan.

   • DOK 4 Question: How can your policies balance the immediate needs of your population with long-term environmental stewardship?

8. Final Presentation

   • Deliverable: “UN Recognition Proposal” – a multimedia presentation where the team presents its nation to a panel (class, teachers, community members) for approval.

🌍 Student Project Guidebook: 

Designing a Nation: Welcome to the Challenge!

The world is looking to YOU! Overcrowding, climate change, and political unrest have left a need for a brand new country. Your mission: design a nation that works.

You and your team will:

• Decide why your country is needed.

• Create a government and constitution.

• Design an economy, industries, and trade plans.

• Build your nation’s identity with a flag, anthem, and traditions.

• Plan housing, employment, and infrastructure.

• Propose environmental and global policies.

• Present your country to the United Nations for approval.

Project Tasks & Checkpoints

1. Founding Rationale

• Deliverable: Declaration of Independence or Manifesto.

• Guiding Questions (DOK 4):

  • What problems exist today that require a new country?

  • How does your nation solve these issues in ways that other nations cannot?

Checkpoint: Submit your draft rationale for feedback.

2. Government & Constitution

• Deliverable: Written Constitution or Bill of Rights.

• Guiding Questions:

  • How will decisions be made fairly?

  • How will your system prevent corruption?

  • How might your government adapt during crises?

Checkpoint: Share your government structure diagram.

3. Economy & Industry

• Deliverable: Economic Plan (chart or infographic).

• Guiding Questions:

  • What industries will power your economy?

  • How will your nation trade with others?

  • What happens if resources or markets change?

Checkpoint: Turn in your economy draft with at least 2 trade partners listed.

4. Culture & Identity

• Deliverables: Flag, Anthem, Traditions.

• Guiding Questions:

  • What symbols represent your nation’s values?

  • How can you unify people of different cultures without excluding anyone?

Checkpoint: Show your draft flag and anthem lyrics/melody idea.

5. Infrastructure & Housing

• Deliverable: Blueprint or model of city/housing plan.

• Guiding Questions:

  • How will people live, work, and move around?

  • How will you design for fairness, sustainability, and safety?

Checkpoint: Share a sketch of your capital city.

6. Global Relations

• Deliverable: Foreign Policy Brief (1–2 pages).

• Guiding Questions:

  • Which nations will you ally with, and why?

  • How will you handle global crises or conflicts?

Checkpoint: Submit draft foreign policy stance.

7. Sustainability & Environment

• Deliverable: Environmental Policy Plan.

• Guiding Questions:

  • How will you protect natural resources?

  • What will your nation do if faced with climate threats?

Checkpoint: Provide 3–5 key environmental laws.

8. Final Presentation

• Deliverable: “UN Recognition Proposal” (multimedia presentation).

• Include:

  • Rationale for nation

  • Government system & constitution highlights

  • Economic & trade plan

  • Cultural identity

  • Housing/infrastructure design

  • Global & environmental policies

Goal: Convince the UN (class/judges) to recognize your nation as legitimate.

🎓 Teacher Facilitator’s Guide: 

Designing a Nation

Learning Goals

• Apply critical and creative thinking to real-world problem-solving.

• Synthesize knowledge from social studies, science, math, ELA, art, and technology.

• Practice collaboration, negotiation, and presentation skills.

• Develop an understanding of nation building and global citizenship.

Pacing Guide (Approx. 2–3 Weeks)

Day 1–2: Entry event, form teams, brainstorm rationale.

Day 3–4: Government structures, draft constitution.

Day 5–6: Economy and trade systems.

Day 7–8: Cultural identity (flag, anthem, traditions).

Day 9–10: Housing & infrastructure design.

Day 11–12: Foreign policy & environment.

Day 13–14: Prepare UN proposal presentations.

Day 15: Presentation day (with outside panel if possible).