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Tragedy of the Commons (continued)
Expected Results:
• 1st round—students will empty their ocean/pond fairly quickly, then they will realize they do not have any fish left that are
able to reproduce
• 2nd round—Students will set ground rules and limitations for the fisherman (hence, the tragedy of the commons)
Teaching Notes:
• You will find that half the groups have depleted their ocean. I say, "now I will come and add babies to your ocean. Two babies
for each two of the same color that's left in the ocean".
• This is when the groups who depleted their ocean go "oops". I say, "for this round only, you may choose to throw some back
into the ocean". They will, but many will have a hard time deciding who gets to throw back fish and they usually won't throw
back very many.
