Aliens, Planets and Nebulae! Mission 4: Diplomacy – Mediation for a Currency Dispute

Mission: Diplomacy – Mediation for a Currency Dispute

Level(1-5): Level 2 (War is a risk with this dispute)

Location: P146 Trading System

Description: MASS has assigned the crew to the P146 Trading System. Planet George is on the brink of war with Planet Fred over their currency practices. Planet George wants Planet Fred to adapt their currency, which is called the Georgian Pound. Planet Fred is insulted by the proposed exchange rate and has frozen imports and exports.

The P146 System has provided the following table for your crew:

Assignment: The crew will need to figure out what a fair exchange rate is for the P146 Trading System. The crew will be extra helpful if they write a computer program (either block programming, python, scratch, or a function). If programming isn’t an option, then a demonstration of exchange with crafted currency will work too. If the crew decides to develop a new currency, then they would need to create exchange rates for Fredians and Georgian Pounds.

Note: This is a good time for the facilitator to add conditions for solutions to incorporate other subjects (science, history, writing, etc.). With this assignment, exchange rates of various currency can be used to investigate the topic. The Facilitator can change the table into non-linear functions for more advanced classes or tweak the points to get a best-fit curve scenario.

Ability Point Potential (rough rubric):

• 2 ability points will be awarded for developing a function for the exchange rate.
• 3 ability points will be awarded for a fully implemented computer program.
• Additional points for project-based rubric that facilitator adds.

Facilitator Notes:

• This mission tends to run slightly less time than other missions and is more abstract for some learners.
• Some students may propose a new currency – this can be a fun design/tinker activity.

Mission 4 Wrap-up

Once learners are ready, have them present their solutions. If there are key pieces missing then ask questions. Discussion is key here – encourage problem-solving even during their presentation. The facilitator and learners may opt for iterations of their solutions.

Once solutions are finalized, award ability points.

Here is an example of some class code:

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