Maria Pazmino Research Proposal/Grant Application

Word Count: 1296 words

160 Convent Avenue
New York, New York 10031

National Council for the Social Studies

855 Sixteenth Street
Suite 500
Silver Spring Maryland 20910

Dear committee members,

Please find enclosed my proposal for the National Council for the Social Studies exemplary
research award. In the following pages, you will encounter a detailed research proposal on the study of
the Model United Nations program and its impact on the young leaders of tomorrow. As per the
qualifications of this grant, the study that will be conducted will significantly impact social studies
education research and practice by shedding light on a subject that few have undertaken on a higher level;
how international awareness shapes the future of teenagers, and why it should be encouraged to create a
better future.
The study will be conducted in a series of interviews and observations that will all be compiled in
a single, comprehensive paper. All the participants have been made aware of the risks and benefits of the
study, and have provided their consent (see attached consent forms and letter of information). The
funding of this project is of outmost importance for the social sciences community, and I believe will
create a huge impact on the future of high school and higher education.

Thank you for your time and consideration

Maria Pazmino

I.

Specific Aims/ Hypothesis

a. The aim of this field study is to question how international awareness and cooperation
through Model United Nations in high school education helps students become better
global citizens, and how it changes their perspective for the world and their own future.

II.

Background and Significance

a. Even though there isnt a formal study or paper on this topic that I could find, there are
many that discuss the advantages of Model UN in a global and on a personal level. In the
college setting it is used to motivate International Studies/International Relations
undergraduates; it puts what is learnt in class to practice and allows students to get the
first taste of what they signed up for. The topic on the high school level is geared towards
college admissions; how MUN helps a student impress a college admissions officer and
how the skills gained through debating can help in the long run. Organizations such as
Best Delegate, UNAUSA Global Classrooms and Change the World MUN stress the
importance of international awareness and personal benefit to delegates who attend their
conferences.

McIntosh, Daniel. "The Uses and Limits of the Model United Nations in an
International Relations Classroom." International Studies Perspective (2001): 269-80.
Print.

Ryan. "The Educational Benefits of Model UN." Best Delegate RSS. Best Delegate
and MUN Institute, 15 Mar. 2011. Web.

Feldman, Ross. "Model UN." United Nations Association of the USA. United
Nations Foundation, n.d. Web.

"Mission Statement - Change the World MUN." Change the World MUN. Permanent
Mission of Italy to the United Nations, n.d. Web

III.

Description of Subjects

a. Because the program is student-led I will be conducting every interview and observation
with the senior leadership in the Hillcrest High Schools Model UN program. The
Secretary General and Crisis Co-Director have both agreed to be interviewed on their
roles and how MUN has shaped their life. In case they are not available the Under
Secretary General and Class Adviser are my backups. The decision to keep the interviews
to only the senior leadership was made because they have been in the program the longest
(3 years for each is a requirement to be a senior staffer). Furthermore, the Crisis CoDirector holds my former position and responsibilities and provides a contrast with my
own experience. The option to use a pseudonym will be made available to everyone who
is interviewed. I am working under the assumption that this will not be needed because
the website for their conference has their name on it. Everyone will be asked to sign a
consent form before any interview and they will be made aware that the only person
reading their responses will be my English professor.
IV.

Method or Procedures
a. The field study will be composed of two interviews and one observation. The interviews
will be composed of a series of questions related to why the senior staff members joined
Model UN and how they think it has shaped their current views on the world and on
themselves. There will be around 10 questions in each interview. The observation will
take place in the 45 minutes that one class lasts. I expect that they will spend most of the
45 minutes on individual research or speech making, which makes the class much easier
to observe. All of this will be recorded on double entry notes to later be transcribed into
the general study.

V.

Data Analysis
a. All the interviews and observations will be the data used in this study. There will be a
transcript of the interview and a detailed description of the observation.

VI.

Risks and Benefits

a. There are no known or expected risks or benefits from conducting this study

VII.

Qualifications
a. I was part of the MUN program at Hillcrest High School for 3 years. During my senior
year in High School I was Class President and together with the Secretary General made
decisions for the future of the class. Furthermore, and as indicated above, I was Crisis
director and Technology Supervisor. I participated in about 15 conferences throughout all
3 years, winning a total of 5 awards including one on the international level at Change the
World MUN. While my experience is MUN is vast, I am currently the Education in
Motion Project Manager and Liaison to the Hillcrest High School MUN program, helping
the students hold their annual HillMUN conference; making me in a way my own insider
with this subgroup of students.

Questionnaire
1. Why did you join Model UN?
2. How long have you been part of the Hillcrest High Schools Model UN (MUNCH) Class?
3. How many conferences have you attended in that time?
4. What is your takeaway from the conferences you have attended thus far?
5. Would you recommend MUN to one of your underclassmen?
6. Do you think MUN has changed the way you see the world?
7. Has MUN influenced what you want to study in college?
8. Do you think MUN has made a difference in your life?
9. How aware are you of current international events now compared to before you joined MUN?
10. If you had a chance to do this all over again, would you still join MUN?

Maria Pazmino CCNY Field Study

Interview Consent Form
1. I agree to be interviewed for the purposes of the student assignment named above.
2. The purpose and nature of the interview has been explained to me, and I have read the assignment
and/or information sheet as provided by the student.
3. I agree that the interview may be electronically recorded.
4. Any questions that I asked about the purpose and nature of the interview and assignment have been
answered to my satisfaction.
5. Choose a), b) or c):
a) I agree that my name may be used for the purposes of the assignment only and not for publication. OR
b) I understand that the student may wish to pursue publication later and my name may be used. OR
c) I do not wish my name to be used or cited, or my identity otherwise disclosed, in the assignment.
Name of interviewee_______________________________________
Signature of interviewee____________________________________ Date______________________
6. I have explained the project and the implications of being interviewed to the interviewee and I believe
that the consent is informed and that he/she understands the implications of participation.
Name of interviewer________________________________________
Signature of interviewer_____________________________________ Date_____________________