Summary
Nature inclusive exersise about woldviews
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Author: Carlos Serrano Fajardo
Aim of the exercise
To help students reflect on the ethical responsibilities of biotechnologists and explore how their personal values and worldviews shape their decisions and impact on society and the environment. The game develops moral sensitivity, empathy, teamwork, and awareness of value diversity decision-making processes.
Target group
BSc and MSc Biotechnology students (or related life science/engineering programs). Suitable for classes of 12–40 students, ideally with some background in biotechnology or bioethics.
Step‑by‑step guidance
- Welcoming. Introduce the activity and explain its purpose and the motivation of why you are playing this game with the students.
- Making groups. Participants form groups of random 4 students; ask them to sit in a circle around a table if possible.
- Distribute the materials to each group. Give to each group: 4 Role Cards (one per color, per player), 1 Dilemma Card (per group), 1 Context Card (per group), 1 Rules Summary (per group), 1 Policy Template (per group).
- Reading your character. Each student reads their Role Card in silence. The card defines their character, values, hopes, and fears.
- Round of introduction. Each player introduces their character briefly (1 min/person), staying in character and being creative.
- The council starts. The team discusses the dilemma and drafts a short policy proposal that addresses it while respecting everyone’s values and fears
- Write the policy. Use the Policy Template to summarize the group’s proposal
- Peer evaluation. Pass your group’s policy to the group on your right. Each group scores the policy using the Planet Score rubric with values: “Nope” = –1, “Meh” = 0, “Okay” = +1.
- Calculate your score. Individual Score: +1 per fulfilled hope, –1 per transgressed fear, 0 if unclear. Team Score: Average of all individual scores. Total Score = Planet + Individual + Team.
- Declare winners. Group with Highest Planet Score Individual with Highest Total Score win
- Reflection and wrapping up. Close the session with a plenary short discussion on how worldviews influenced group dynamics and policy outcomes and how they experience this in daily life.
Preparation & materials needed
Printed sets of:
- Role Cards (4 per group, each with unique color/character)
- Dilemma Cards (1 per group)
- Context Cards (1 per group)
- Rules Summary + Scoring Rubric card
- Policy Template sheet
Pens for the participants (one per group)
Optional: projector and slides to explain activity and guide each step. Timer to show on the screen to set the pace.
Tips/considerations
- Emphasize respectful interaction and inclusivity: students should not stereotype roles or real-world groups.
- Encourage creativity and role immersion while keeping focus on ethical reasoning.
- Allow ~60 minutes for the full activity, plus 15 minutes for buffer and debriefing.
- Debrief discussion should link outcomes to real biotech challenges and ethical frameworks.
- This game can easily be adapted to other fields but changing the statements of the dilemmas.