Something for Everyone

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In a simulation game, students desiring to draw renewable resources from a common pool determine short-term consumption strategies that will preserve a long-term supply of the resource for all.

Format:
» Whole class hands-on

Grade Levels:
» Intermediate
» Secondary

Materials:
» Poker chips
» Candy
» Lively music (optional)

Subjects:
» Science
» Social Studies

Time:
» Prep: 10 minutes
» Activity: 30 minutes

Facts and Background:

» Global Family Ties
A middle-grades appropriate reading that addresses the role of poverty and inequity in population issues.

» Human Population Growth: An S/T/S Issue
A brief description of how human population growth is an effective focus for science/technology/society education.

Activities:

» Timber!

In this role-playing simulation, students discover what happens to a forest when the demand for wood is greater than the supply and then graph their results.

» Who Polluted the Potomac?
Through an interactive story, students learn how our rivers have been affected by our growing population.

Standards:

» Civics (Grades 5-8): What are the roles of the citizen...

» Civics (Grades 9-12): What are the roles of the citizen...

» Economics: Standard 1: Limited resources...

» Geography: Standard 5: Environment and Society

» Health (Grades 5-8): Use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health...

» Health (Grades 9-11): Use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health...

» Science (Grades 5-8): Standard C: Life Science

» Science (Grades 5-8): Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives

» Science (Grades 9-12): Standard C: Life Science

» Science (Grades 9-12): Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspective