Tragedy of the Commons Lab Activity for AP Environmental Science

Tragedy of the Commons Lab Activity for AP Environmental Science

The Tragedy of the Commons Lab Activity simulates resource management and environmental sustainability for AP Environmental Science students. Participants engage in a fishing simulation using goldfish crackers to understand the impact of shared resources on individual behavior and community outcomes. The activity emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices and collective responsibility in resource management. Students will analyze their fishing strategies and discuss the implications of overfishing and resource depletion. This lab is designed to foster critical thinking about global environmental issues and the challenges of managing common resources.

Key Points

  • Simulates resource management through a fishing activity using goldfish crackers.
  • Encourages discussion on sustainable practices and collective responsibility.
  • Analyzes individual behavior in the context of shared resources.
  • Explores the implications of overfishing and resource depletion.
  • Designed for AP Environmental Science students to understand global environmental issues.
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APES Tragedy of the Commons Lab Activity
Pay close attention to procedures & data collection. This activity will be your first
formal lab write up.
Purpose:
The purpose of this simulation is to explore how resources are used when they are
available to multiple parties.
Objective:
Harvest as many fish as you can without destroying the ocean.
Use your experience to understand the conditions leading to the “tragedy of the commons.”
Devise strategies to avoid depletion of a limited common resource.
Apply your experience in class to global environmental problems.
Materials:
• Goldfish crackers
• Plastic bowls (lakes) & sleeves of fabric to cover
• Straws
Procedure:
Divide into groups of 4. 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.
The fish represent resources that can be harvested from the lake. Each fish is worth $10.
The more fish you catch, the more money you will receive. You must fish by sucking up the
"fish" from the "lake" with straws.
You will get a chance to fish once a year (which lasts one minute) to determine your
income for the year.
You should rotate your fishing order every year so that everyone has a chance to go
first.
It is your choice of how many fish you take, however, you must catch at least
one fish to stay afloat.
Each fishing session represents one generation of fish.
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 one new
fish (4 fish become 8, i.e., to a maximum of 16, which is the carrying capacity of the
lake)].
Keep the fish that you "catch" in front of you.
When your group runs out of fish, the game is over for you.
APES: Tragedy of the Commons Lab Activity, page 1 of 3
A bonus will be given to the student in each group who has accumulated the most wealth at
the end of the entire simulation.
Fish Data Table: Round 1 Blind fishing. No talking allowed!
XXXX
XXXX
Total
3
2
1
Total fish
left at end
of year
# of fish
taken by 1st
fisher
# of fish
taken by 1st
fisher
# of fish
taken by 1st
fisher
# of fish
taken by 1st
fisher
# of Fish
at beginning
of year
Year #
Group Totals:
Total Income
Total Fish Harvest
Name
.
Fish Data Table: Round 2 Open fishing. Free exchange of information encouraged!
XXXX
XXXX
Total
3
2
1
Total fish
left at end
of year
# of fish
taken by 1st
fisher
# of fish
taken by 1st
fisher
# of fish
taken by 1st
fisher
# of fish
taken by 1st
fisher
# of Fish
at beginning
of year
Year #
Group Totals:
Total Income
Total Fish Harvest
Name
APES: Tragedy of the Commons Lab Activity, page 2 of 3
Analysis & Discussion Questions:
1. Did anyone in your group take too many fish? How did that make you feel? Did everyone
try to take as many as possible? Why or Why not? Does society reward those with the
"most"?
2. Did anyone sacrifice the # of fish, for the good of the community? Why or why not?
Does society ever reward that type of person?
3. During round 2, did your group discuss your actions and strategies before each harvest?
If so, briefly relate the discussion. Did each member carry out the plan that was
discussed?
4. In Game Two... how did your strategy change, if at all? Does it make a difference to
know what the rewards are?
!
5. Is it possible to maximize the number of fish caught/person AND the number of fish
remaining in the pond at the same time? Why or Why not?
6. Your fish harvest was worth money. Why would it be better to have money than fish (i.e.
what can you do with money that you can't do with fish?)?
7. Think of a local commons that you are familiar with. [parking lots, bathrooms,
Cafeteria,, etc.] Do similar situations arise? Explain. HOW might those problems be
solved?
8. What are some natural resources that are common resources?
9. What are the global commons? Are these being used wisely? Why or why not?
10. What can people do to use these resources most wisely?
Conclusion: What is the "Tragedy of the Commons"?
The "tragedy of the commons" is the situation in which individuals use a common resource
for their own personal gain and degradation of the common resources results, leading to a
decrease in yield for both the group and the individual. The use of common resources is a
tricky issue...who has rights to it? How are responsibilities shared?
APES: Tragedy of the Commons Lab Activity, page 3 of 3
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FAQs of Tragedy of the Commons Lab Activity for AP Environmental Science

What is the purpose of the Tragedy of the Commons Lab Activity?
The purpose of the Tragedy of the Commons Lab Activity is to explore how shared resources are managed and the consequences of individual actions on communal resources. By simulating a fishing scenario, students can see firsthand how overexploitation can lead to resource depletion. This activity aims to foster an understanding of sustainable practices and the importance of collective responsibility in environmental stewardship.
How does the fishing simulation work in this lab activity?
In the fishing simulation, participants use straws to 'catch' goldfish crackers representing fish in a lake. Each round represents a year, and students must decide how many fish to take while considering the sustainability of the resource. The simulation allows for blind fishing in the first round and open discussion in the second, highlighting the differences in strategies and outcomes based on communication and collaboration.
What are the main themes discussed in the Tragedy of the Commons Lab?
Main themes include resource management, sustainability, and the consequences of individual actions on communal resources. The activity illustrates the concept of the 'tragedy of the commons,' where individuals acting in their self-interest can lead to the depletion of shared resources. Discussions also focus on strategies to avoid overfishing and the importance of collective decision-making in managing common resources.
What lessons can be learned from the outcomes of the fishing rounds?
Outcomes from the fishing rounds provide insights into the impact of individual choices on resource sustainability. In the first round, without communication, many participants may overfish, leading to a rapid depletion of resources. In contrast, the second round, which allows for discussion, often results in more sustainable fishing practices, demonstrating the value of collaboration and shared responsibility in resource management.
How does this lab activity relate to global environmental issues?
The Tragedy of the Commons Lab Activity directly relates to global environmental issues such as overfishing, deforestation, and climate change. By simulating the challenges of managing shared resources, students gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in global resource management. The activity encourages critical thinking about how individual actions can contribute to larger environmental problems and the importance of sustainable practices.

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