6504 – Take The Broadway Subway!

Submitted by: Todd Ritter
School: Henrico High School

Summary

With the goal to increase tourism to the Broadway District, students took on the role of “entrepreneurs” competing for a lucrative development contract for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of city of New York. To compete for the contract, students were tasked with creating a detailed proposal including a new dedicated, luxury transportation line for the subway system that would be desirable to various income brackets and profitable to the city. The students were also required to produce information regarding estimated costs, a detailed explanation of services and amenities to consumers, a map of the line suitable for advertising, and a marketing and advertising plan . To accomplish this task, students performed research in collaborative groups to create an understanding of the current geographic boundaries of “Broadway,” the most current productions, the subway routes that serve these locations, and costs associated with all of this. Students formulated their questions regarding what particular consumer groups would desire researching and analyzing the possible resources available along prospective routes. They synthesized the information and designed new themed transportation routes and trains. They assembled all of the information into a creative proposal to present to the Authority. Presentations were made in class and the wining proposal was selected.

TIPC Ratings

This lesson falls in the approaching level of Research and information Fluency
Collaborative Groups of students performed digital research with instructor support to locate resources that would provide information about the Broadway Theatre District and surrounding areas. Students examined the resources available and used the information gathered to generate questions about what consumers would like in a tour package. Students developed a proposal containing item so of their choice to present to city officials and the transportation authority

This lesson falls in the approaching level of communication and collaboration.
Posing as entrepreneur development groups, students selected their own collaborators and created proposals for a new luxury subway line routes and performance packages. Development groups presented proposals to city officials and responded to questions during the process. Collaborative groups assigned roles according to students’ desires and strengths though the research, creation and presentation phases. Student -created groups worked to divide the assignment giving each student a different role for the research, creative process, and the presentation. Student groups collaborated in the delivery of the presentation and in fielding questions from the panel acting as the New York Transportation Authority.

This lesson falls into the approaching level of critical thinking and problem solving.
In collaborative groups, students formulated questions to guide research and analyzed information to create proposals for a new Broadway Subway line and advertising plan that would offer theatre goers an exclusive upscale luxury transit line and increase tourism in the theater district. Students presented these proposals for acceptance to a panel representing the Mayor’s Office and Transportation Authority and responded to questions during the evaluation process. A winning proposal was decided on during the group reflection process.

This lesson falls into the target level of Creativity and Innovation.
With this simulation, students responded to a call for proposals from the New York City Mayor’s office to increase tourism in the Broadway theatre district by creating a new idea for a luxury subway line, theatre package and corresponding advertising plan. Students formed their own development companies, analyzed current resources and costs, and considered the needs of consumers. Using their choice of digital tools, they constructed an original travel package, advertising plan and a formal proposal and participated in a formal presentation to a group acting as the mayor’s office. Students reflected on all of the proposals submitted and selected a winner.