Michael Scott, a freshman at Middletown High School, loves foreign politics and could one day see himself as a United States ambassador. That’s why on June 3, he was sitting in the Appoquinimink School District’s Parent/Teacher Training Center debating issues like the war in Afghanistan and renewable energy.
Scott was one of 50 middle and high school students participating in the Appoquinimink School District’s first Model United Nations Conference.
Fifteen countries were represented, as students took on the role of U.N. member nations and defended their positions on issues the U.N. General Assembly faces every day.
John Hoffman, Model U.N. coordinator for the district and social studies teacher at Appoquinimink High School, said Appoquinimink is the first public school system in the state to hold a conference.
He said the program allows students to gain a broad awareness about the global society.
“They really get a deeper understanding of what’s going on outside of Middletown, outside of Delaware and outside the U.S.,” Hoffman said. “I think opening their eyes to that is really going to be a benefit to them and the district.”
Michael, who represented the Swiss Confederation and debated on the topic of energy for a sustainable development, said many countries are dependent on oil, and other options like thermal or hydro energy should be investigated.
“We are very limited to oil,” he said. “There may not be enough, so we have to come up with a new strategy.”
Michael said the program has allowed him to understand more about other nations.
“I’ve learned that a lot of countries are willing to change and learn from their mistakes,” he said.
Carly Ewald, a sophomore at Appoquinimink High School, represented India during the conference, and said she learned a lot about the country’s laws and beliefs.
“This teaches us how much we may not know about other cultures, and how different they can be,” she said.
Hoffman said the district plans to continue the program next year and develop it even further.
“The kids are enthusiastic, and I think next year we’re going to see a big jump in interest and participation,” he said.
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Michael Scott, a freshman at Middletown High School, loves foreign politics and could one day see himself as a United States ambassador. That’s why on June 3, he was sitting in the Appoquinimink School District’s Parent/Teacher Training Center debating issues like the war in Afghanistan and renewable energy.
Scott was one of 50 middle and high school students participating in the Appoquinimink School District’s first Model United Nations Conference.
Fifteen countries were represented, as students took on the role of U.N. member nations and defended their positions on issues the U.N. General Assembly faces every day.
John Hoffman, Model U.N. coordinator for the district and social studies teacher at Appoquinimink High School, said Appoquinimink is the first public school system in the state to hold a conference.
He said the program allows students to gain a broad awareness about the global society.
“They really get a deeper understanding of what’s going on outside of Middletown, outside of Delaware and outside the U.S.,” Hoffman said. “I think opening their eyes to that is really going to be a benefit to them and the district.”
Michael, who represented the Swiss Confederation and debated on the topic of energy for a sustainable development, said many countries are dependent on oil, and other options like thermal or hydro energy should be investigated.
“We are very limited to oil,” he said. “There may not be enough, so we have to come up with a new strategy.”
Michael said the program has allowed him to understand more about other nations.
“I’ve learned that a lot of countries are willing to change and learn from their mistakes,” he said.
Carly Ewald, a sophomore at Appoquinimink High School, represented India during the conference, and said she learned a lot about the country’s laws and beliefs.
“This teaches us how much we may not know about other cultures, and how different they can be,” she said.
Hoffman said the district plans to continue the program next year and develop it even further.
“The kids are enthusiastic, and I think next year we’re going to see a big jump in interest and participation,” he said.
