In this group activity, students navigate a realistic, complex scenario involving a sustainability issue. They work in teams, make a decision under pressure, and justify it to the class. The challenge lies in dealing with uncertainty, time pressure, limited resources, and dilemmas.
- Activity goal
- Exchange knowledge | Get to know each other | Practice skills | Reflect
- When
- In class
- Where
- Offline
- Duration
- < 60 minutes| > 60 minutes
- Group size
- Small | Medium
Step-by-step plan
Step 1: Introduction of the assignment
Tell students that as a team they will receive a realistic scenario in which a difficult decision must be made. There is no ‘right’ answer, only a well-founded choice.
Step 2: Present the scenario
Give each team a realistic and complex sustainability dilemma in which different interests are at play and there is no clear solution. Explain that they must come to a decision together within limited time and with limited resources or information. This simulates real decision-making under pressure and promotes critical thinking and collaboration.
Step 3: Assign roles (optional)
Teams can optionally assign roles, such as:
- Chairperson (keeps structure and overview)
- Timekeeper
- Devil’s advocate (asks critical questions)
- Recorder or presenter
Step 4: Decision-making
Let teams explore the different options and reach a well-founded decision. Optionally, use a worksheet with guiding questions:
- What are the possible options?
- What are the risks for each option?
- What is the impact on people, planet, and economy?
- Which values do we consider important?
Step 5: Present and defend the choice
Each team presents their decision and motivation in 1–2 minutes. Afterwards, allow time for (critical) questions from the class or the teacher.
Step 6: Debrief & reflection
Facilitate a discussion in groups or plenary, for example using the following questions:
- What made this decision difficult?
- How did the teams handle disagreements?
- What felt uncomfortable or frustrating?
- How would you adjust your choice if you had more information?
- What does this say about real decision-making in sustainability?
Tip 1
- You can add an extra layer by giving teams new information halfway through the decision-making process. This disrupts previous choices and invites them to engage with the complexity of decision-making.
Tip 2
- Have students fill in a short one-minute paper at the end with their personal reflection or key takeaway.
At EUR, we are committed to engaging with (generative) AI responsibly. Refer to the usage guidelines via AI@EUR and the theme page about AI in education as well.
