Reform efforts encourage teachers to engage students in critical thinking skills and research. They also encourage teachers to meet the needs of their diverse student population and support students in developing communication skills. One way to step outside of traditional teaching approaches and engage middle school students in critical thinking, communication skills, and learning communities is by using an integrated role-play and case studies approach. This teaching approach combines the narratives of case study with the simulation and gaming features of role-play. Through this integrated technique, students are provided the context of a scientific issue through a case study, allowed to take on the role of a case study character, and presented with multiple opportunities to research environmental science content. (Contains 2 tables.)