The Tragedy of the Commons

8-10 yrs old

11-13 yrs old

Climate & Environment

Math & Economics

Students are tasked to solve the problem for this small town. They have a common area for sharing livestock but the numbers have started to dwindle...

Submitted By: Jung Koo

June 14, 2018

Lesson Plan
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Skills

Citizenship
Critical Thinking

External References

TED-Ed : The Tragedy of the Commons

A video and lesson plan on the topic. Also can provide hints for the students.

Candy Fishing Lab

A hands on activity that can be done before or after by students to experience the Tragedy of the Commons themselves.

The Tragedy of the Commons MEE World File

Google Drive link for the World File (It was over the 20MB upload limit for the site) You will need to extract it after downloading it.

The Tragedy of the Commons - Video walkthrough

Video giving an overview of the map and its features.

Supporting Files

Screenshot 1

Screenshot of an NPC

Screenshot 2

Overview of the town

Screenshot 3

Example of the book students receive upon entering the Inn.

Learning Objectives

NSW National Curriculum - Mathematics MA2-1WM : uses appropriate terminology to describe, and symbols to represent, mathematical ideas.
NSW National Curriculum - Mathematics MA2-2WM : selects and uses appropriate mental or written strategies, or technology, to solve problems.
NSW National Curriculum - Mathematics MA2-3WM : checks the accuracy of a statement and explains the reasoning used.
NSW National Curriculum - Geography GE2-2 : describes the ways people, places and environments interact
NSW National Curriculum - English EN2-10C : thinks imaginatively, creatively and interpretively about information, ideas and texts when responding to and composing texts.
NOTE: Whilst the World file attached to this Lesson Plan is aimed at Stage 2 (grades 3-4) students, it can be modified for higher and/or lower stages.

Guiding Ideas

What is the Tragedy of the Commons?

Is it possible/sustainable?

Why didn't this work?

What are some examples of this type of shared-space/resources in your world? (school/home) - How effective are those systems? Why is this?

Mathematically, the idea for a communal/shared space and resource can definitely work. However, the variable that makes this very difficult/near-impossible to execute effectively is us, humans. Due to humans naturally looking after themselves out of self-interest, they come to logical conclusions to take more than their share and make this method unsustainable.

Student Activities

Students are to be in groups of 2-3.

Each running map should have 3 groups maximum.

Students speak to the Non-player characters (NPCs) in game and follow the instructions.

Students play the game, take notes on their observations and submit their responses using their in-game tools (writable book, portfolio and camera).

Everything in the game can be changed with world builder rights (/wb) including number of livestock, animal food, NPC dialogue and links.

(In the game, it tells students to export their writable book after they have finalised it and send it to their teacher - this can also be changed.)

- For a more detailed guide on the map, please check the video that's also attached.

Performance Expectations

Students should know how to use the writable book, portfolio and camera in game. They also should know how to finalise a book and export it to share/post/send it to their teacher. Some of the NPCs have links to websites/videos relevant either to the task or Minecraft mechanics (such as the aforementioned) required to complete the task. No external resources will be required besides an internet browser if they wish to visit the links provided by the NPCs.