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Tragedy of the Commons
Submitted by: Alison H.
Recommended Grade Level(s):
Appropriate for: AP Environmental Science
Time Requirements:
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Activity Time: 45 minutes
Teaching Topics & Concepts:
This activity explores how resources are used and exploited between several individuals. This is a good introduction to the
"Tragedy of the Commons".
National Science Standards Alignment
Unit 5 of APES.
Materials:
• M & M's
• Straws
• Bowls
Background Information, Activity Setup:
• 1 Straw per person
• 1 Bowl per group
• Keep up with how many M & M's you give each group (it can vary)
Procedure:
1. Divide into groups of 4–6. Each group should sit in a circle around the "lake". The goal of this activity is to see how each of you
will behave when resources are not privately owned.
2. Each one of you represents the head of a family that is starving. In order for your family to survive, you must catch enough
fish for them to eat. The only food source is a small local lake which can accommodate 16 fish. You must fish by sucking up the
"fish" from the "lake" with straws.
3. You will get a chance to fish once a year (which lasts one 15 seconds) and each time you fish you may take 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 fish from the
lake. It is your choice of how many fish you take, however, if you only take one fish, your family will starve. If you take more than 2
fish, you can sell them for a profit. The fish in your lake will reproduce once a year. [See your teacher at the end of each year—each
remaining fish is able to spontaneously reproduce and make two new fish (4 fish become 12, i.e., to a maximum of 20)]. Keep the fish
that you "catch" in front of you.
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