What does brushing your teeth, having a bank account, and saving the endangered Northern Goshawk have in common? They’re all affected by public policy! In this unit, students learn what public policy is and who creates, implements, and influences it. Through case studies, scenarios, and possible role-playing, students discover how difficult it is to create a public policy that meets the needs of the majority and the level of compromise needed for its adoption.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Defense Education Program (NDEP) for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education, Outreach, and Workforce Initiative Programs under Grant No. HQ0034-21-S-F001. The views expressed in written materials or publications, and/or made by speakers, moderators, and presenters, do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Defense nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.