Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/686133
C lose your eyes and think of Mexico. No, really, close them and think about Mexico," seventh grader Darius Nabers recently asked of his peers in social studies class as he described the beauty of Mexico, its culture, history and foods. Darius' partner, Pauline Paranikas, went on to outline the country's political and economic structures and talk about current events and recent crime-fighting initiatives. According to Darius and Pauline, these qualities, in addition to a countrywide devotion to the game of soccer, make Mexico the ideal location for the 2026 World Cup. e presentation is the first assignment in a class project led by history and social studies teacher Jeff Nichols each April and May, where students act out the World Cup bidding process. For the simulation, Nichols, who developed the project after a Fulbright Scholarship took him to Brazil during the World Cup, splits his class into teams that make a pitch to a panel of judges with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). "At first glance, it looks like a fun project about sports," said Nichols. "But students are required to show a real depth of knowledge. ey are asked to use analytical and collaborative skills so that they can advocate on behalf of their country." e project is multi-layered and complex, with assignments designed to develop students' understanding of the geopolitical, cultural, economic and environmental implications of hosting this major international sporting event. By working with Daniel Streicher '06, Latin's unofficial entrepreneur- in-residence and founder of React Learning, which provides teachers with an online platform for simulations, Nichols has been able to make the classroom experience as real as possible for his students. ey create marketing and social media campaigns (including posting on a "Fakebookstagram" page created by Streicher for the class), as well as commercials and video presentations, which they share through the online platform. Nichols has recruited friends and fellow educators from around the world to act as FIFA judges. ey provide input and vote on each assignment. Students know how well they are doing in class by keeping track of the number of votes for their country. Seventh graders Pauline Paranikas and Darius Nabers, representing Mexico, are confident that their bid for the World Cup will be successful. Latin Magazine » Spring 2016 23