The Mock Trial Project
Randy Scherer's class was divided into two team: the "pro" team and the "anti" team. There was different positions including two lawyers, three witnesses and four legal staff. The essential question, for one class, that each team was trying to answer/prove was: To what extend should the United States government advocate against the over consumption of salt in the American diet? This answer to this question was decided by a majority vote from the nine justices. This was a fully functional two day court and came with many challenges and rewards.
Below is my lawyer opening statement.
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Let me begin today by reiterating a fact that every single person in this room knows, that is that humans love food. By a show of hands in this room, who likes salt? So today I am going to tell you that I love salt as well, however over the past few years, the salt consumption in the United States has gotten out of control. To show you why this tasty condiment is harmful, my team and I have established three simple ways that government advocacy will decrease the number of negative consequences and deaths in the United States due to excessive salt consumption. Our three focus points for today are salt addiction, salt accessibility and salt advertisement. My lawyer partner will conclude this case by telling you specific solutions to these problems.
First I am going to bring Paula R. Trumbo, the division head of nutrition and labeling of food and drug administration, to the stand to share some shocking facts about how addictive salt is. I want to ask you all another question. We know that drugs are addictive. Now, raise your hand if you think salt is addicting. She will be asked five questions about how she thinks we should go about reducing the salt consumption in the United States and the similar addiction properties in cocaine and salt.
Next, I am going to bring Dan Bane, the chief executive officer at Trader Joe’s as my witness to the stand. Dan will present a very clear image of a map of the United States with locations of McDonald store versus Trader Joe’s store. The anti team will try to argue that these are just two examples but he will go into more detail of the unfairness. He will be addressing the topic of over accessibility to salt due to location and financial circumstances. He will be asked five questions about his stores as well as his opinion on a proposed tax on salt in the United States.
Lastly, I am going to bring Michael Jacobson, the co-founder and executive director at the center for science of public interest, to the stand. He will share why he also thinks the government should be involved in this catastrophe. He will prove that less advertising for fast food restaurants and more government run commercials about making healthy decisions will alert our nation and will bring attention to the problem. Michael Jacobson will answer his questions with mind blowing statistics about advertisement for example, only 7% of shoppers looked at the sodium content of foods when reading nutrition or ingredient labels in 2004.
The other team will try to explain that we need salt to live and that is a true statement. However, our evidence will show you today that this epidemic has gotten out of hand and requires the United States government to step in and protect the American people.
Below is my mock trial reflection.
Describe the significance of the Mock Trial in one sentence.
The Mock Trial served as an imitation court case to practice teamwork, dedication and to educate us on the salt regulations in the United States.
I completed 100% of my work, on time or ahead of schedule.
5/5 (Strongly agree)
I helped other team members complete their work.
5/5 (Strongly agree)
I wrote ideas, notes, questions, concerns down and gave them (legally) to my team during the trial.
5/5 (Strongly agree)
I understand the basics of this debate more as a result of the previous two weeks of work.
4/4
What did you learn as a result of the Mock Trial?
I learned a lot about how to work with different personalities (eager and on task versus slacking and unproductive) and about the justice system.
What questions do you have about the concepts in the Mock Trial?
I still have some remaining questions about the concepts in the Mock Trial. I know the definition of a free market but who usually believes in them? Also, I am still confused on the topic of Keynesianism. I can learn more about these topic by asking my peers and my teacher.
What did you do well as an individual during the past two weeks?
As an individual during the past two weeks I am very proud of my work. My task as the lawyer of the pro team was to shape overall strategy and to write and perform the opening statement. I went through rounds of critique to make sure my opening statement was simple, professional and persuasive. I also communicated with my team very well. I sent emails to my team keeping everyone updated and on track. I think I stepped up to the plate for my position and am glad the trial went as smooth as it did.
What could you have done better as an individual during the past two weeks?
As an individual, during the past two weeks I could have done better when waiting for others to complete their task I should have given them more time in class to work. When we walked into Humanities I wanted to have a group meeting however we should have used most of our class time to work rather than talking about what we were going to do.
What did you do well as a team member during the past two weeks?
As a team member during the past two weeks, I think I was motivating, clear and on task. I found myself having a good balance of leading and following and teaching and learning. Overall, I think my participation as a group member was extremely involved and organized to help support my team.
What could you have done better as a team member during the past two weeks?
As a team member during the past two weeks I could have done better by allowing my lawyer partner, Nick, to take charge more. He was busy finding questions to cross examine so I usually spoke for my team rather than contacting Nick before making decisions. However, overall I think my team worked well together and got the job done on time and in a healthy environment.
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Let me begin today by reiterating a fact that every single person in this room knows, that is that humans love food. By a show of hands in this room, who likes salt? So today I am going to tell you that I love salt as well, however over the past few years, the salt consumption in the United States has gotten out of control. To show you why this tasty condiment is harmful, my team and I have established three simple ways that government advocacy will decrease the number of negative consequences and deaths in the United States due to excessive salt consumption. Our three focus points for today are salt addiction, salt accessibility and salt advertisement. My lawyer partner will conclude this case by telling you specific solutions to these problems.
First I am going to bring Paula R. Trumbo, the division head of nutrition and labeling of food and drug administration, to the stand to share some shocking facts about how addictive salt is. I want to ask you all another question. We know that drugs are addictive. Now, raise your hand if you think salt is addicting. She will be asked five questions about how she thinks we should go about reducing the salt consumption in the United States and the similar addiction properties in cocaine and salt.
Next, I am going to bring Dan Bane, the chief executive officer at Trader Joe’s as my witness to the stand. Dan will present a very clear image of a map of the United States with locations of McDonald store versus Trader Joe’s store. The anti team will try to argue that these are just two examples but he will go into more detail of the unfairness. He will be addressing the topic of over accessibility to salt due to location and financial circumstances. He will be asked five questions about his stores as well as his opinion on a proposed tax on salt in the United States.
Lastly, I am going to bring Michael Jacobson, the co-founder and executive director at the center for science of public interest, to the stand. He will share why he also thinks the government should be involved in this catastrophe. He will prove that less advertising for fast food restaurants and more government run commercials about making healthy decisions will alert our nation and will bring attention to the problem. Michael Jacobson will answer his questions with mind blowing statistics about advertisement for example, only 7% of shoppers looked at the sodium content of foods when reading nutrition or ingredient labels in 2004.
The other team will try to explain that we need salt to live and that is a true statement. However, our evidence will show you today that this epidemic has gotten out of hand and requires the United States government to step in and protect the American people.
Below is my mock trial reflection.
Describe the significance of the Mock Trial in one sentence.
The Mock Trial served as an imitation court case to practice teamwork, dedication and to educate us on the salt regulations in the United States.
I completed 100% of my work, on time or ahead of schedule.
5/5 (Strongly agree)
I helped other team members complete their work.
5/5 (Strongly agree)
I wrote ideas, notes, questions, concerns down and gave them (legally) to my team during the trial.
5/5 (Strongly agree)
I understand the basics of this debate more as a result of the previous two weeks of work.
4/4
What did you learn as a result of the Mock Trial?
I learned a lot about how to work with different personalities (eager and on task versus slacking and unproductive) and about the justice system.
What questions do you have about the concepts in the Mock Trial?
I still have some remaining questions about the concepts in the Mock Trial. I know the definition of a free market but who usually believes in them? Also, I am still confused on the topic of Keynesianism. I can learn more about these topic by asking my peers and my teacher.
What did you do well as an individual during the past two weeks?
As an individual during the past two weeks I am very proud of my work. My task as the lawyer of the pro team was to shape overall strategy and to write and perform the opening statement. I went through rounds of critique to make sure my opening statement was simple, professional and persuasive. I also communicated with my team very well. I sent emails to my team keeping everyone updated and on track. I think I stepped up to the plate for my position and am glad the trial went as smooth as it did.
What could you have done better as an individual during the past two weeks?
As an individual, during the past two weeks I could have done better when waiting for others to complete their task I should have given them more time in class to work. When we walked into Humanities I wanted to have a group meeting however we should have used most of our class time to work rather than talking about what we were going to do.
What did you do well as a team member during the past two weeks?
As a team member during the past two weeks, I think I was motivating, clear and on task. I found myself having a good balance of leading and following and teaching and learning. Overall, I think my participation as a group member was extremely involved and organized to help support my team.
What could you have done better as a team member during the past two weeks?
As a team member during the past two weeks I could have done better by allowing my lawyer partner, Nick, to take charge more. He was busy finding questions to cross examine so I usually spoke for my team rather than contacting Nick before making decisions. However, overall I think my team worked well together and got the job done on time and in a healthy environment.