We are thrilled to announce the Negotiations Quest for our Elementary, Middle, and High School Studios, as well as the Trip Around The World Quest for our Spark Studio.

negotiations quest

Elementary through High School

Based on the popular Negotiations course from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, this real world Quest will cover six fundamental negotiation principles through six simulations in collaboration with six negotiation experts. After each negotiation simulation, learners’ scores will be tallied, displayed, and discussed, so that learners get practice at applying negotiations techniques and principles.

Over five weeks, learners will wrestle with questions like, how do you develop a game plan before negotiations start? Do you need this deal more than the other party, or do they need it more than you? Are you dealing from strength, or are you in a weaker position? Are the concessions you need to make not in your short- or long-term best interests? Every negotiation requires compromise and trade-offs. You are not going to win on every issue. Therefore, it is important to determine the issues that are deal-breakers for you. Over six simulations, learners will try to determine which issues are deal-breakers for the other side, and…can you live with agreeing to them?

THE SIX PRINCIPLES that learners will explore are…

Successful negotiation requires compromise from both sides. Both parties must gain something, and both parties must lose something. You must be prepared to give something up to which you believe you are entitled. You cannot expect to defeat your opponent or "win" a negotiation by either the power of your negotiating skills or the compelling force of your logic. This is not to say that good negotiating ability is irrelevant. In most cases, a range of possible outcomes exists. A skilled negotiator often can achieve a settlement near the top of the range.
Cultivate and maintain strategic alternatives.
Determine competitive strengths and weaknesses. Protect your weakness, utilize theirs.
Reevaluate measures of success.
Always be prepared to walk away from the negotiation table.
Study and understand your counterpart. Understand the negotiating style of the lead negotiator on the other side of the table. What is their reputation and track record in past negotiations with you and with others? Can they be trusted to meet their negotiating table commitments? Listen to the other party and ask questions to further understand what they want to accomplish. Communicate what you want to accomplish. Identify where your goals overlap and where they don’t so you can work to close the gaps.

TIMING of this Quest is as follows…

5 weeks
12 challenges (1st 4 weeks)
2 Exhibition prep days (5th week)
1 Exhibition day (5th week)
1 Reflection day (5th week)

ROLES that people will play include…

Guides are game makers, simulation designers, scorekeepers, and discussion facilitators
Visiting experts are negotiation coaches
Heroes are the negotiators

EXHIBITION for this Quest will be a live Negotiations Simulation involving experts, parents and caregivers, and visitors to the school.

May the odds be ever in your favor!

A Trip Around the World quest

Spark Studio (ages 4-6)

Imagine if you could live somewhere else? I wonder, where would it be? Would things be the same or different? During Sessions 3 & 4, we will be traveling around the world to discover the answers to the many questions we have. I wonder how we will get there? By plane, boat, car, or some other way? What if they don’t speak our language? Will there be compromises along the way? What will we share with others? It’s, for sure, going to be a ton of fun! See you when we get back!

At Exhibition we will take parents, caregivers, and visitors on a journey to show and share our discoveries from around the world.

Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Quests are real-world projects to master 21st-century skills.

Usually lasting four- to six-weeks, each Quest includes a series of challenges bound by a compelling narrative and is designed to deliver 21st century skills while simultaneously incorporating traditional topics like science, social studies, and history.

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Negotiations & World Travel: Let Session 3 Quests Begin!