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The Fish Game

Provided by: The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education |Published on: March 1, 2023

Games Grades 6-8, 9-12

Synopsis

In this game, students will learn how fishing practices and the number of fishing boats in an area can affect fish populations.
Players can choose between four scenarios and decide if they will fish and how many fish they will take on each turn, which will impact the fish population.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Biology, Mathematics

Authors: Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education

Region: Global

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

This game is an interactive and engaging way to get students thinking about fishing methods and sustainability.
Students will learn about how different methods of fishing and cooperation between fishers can improve upon the problem of overfishing.
There is a trust factor measurement and a "broadcasting intentions" feature that can be used as an SEL topic to connect to this resource.

Additional Prerequisites

In order to play independently, students should be able to read and comprehend a list of game rules.
You may want to post the detailed content and rules for students so they have easier access to them while playing the game.

Differentiation

Younger students will need some guidance on the rules for the different scenarios and some pre-teaching about reproduction rates, population dynamics, and carrying capacities.
Have students work in groups and divide them up so that one group is doing each scenario and assign different strategies after they have tried it out a few times.
Cross-curricular connections can be made in social studies classes discussing cooperative practices in different cultures or how overfishing can crash fish populations that many people rely on for food.
This game will pair well with a reading-level appropriate article about fishing sustainability. After reading and discussing, students can play the game.
Biology classes can use this as a hook or exit ticket for lessons about ecosystem balance, trophic structures, population dynamics, predation, or overfishing.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education

The Cloud Institute prepares school systems and their communities to educate for a sustainable future through meaningful content and learner-centered instruction. We are committed to the roles that teaching, learning, and thinking play in contributing to the shift toward a sustainable future. Our work with schools revolves around professional learning, curriculum, instruction, and assessment aspects of Education for Sustainability (EfS). We also provide the strategic planning and leadership development support required for lasting school change.