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Overfishing – a Tragedy of the Commons Game for Students
Provided by: Science Journal for Kids |Published on: November 18, 2025
Games
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Synopsis
In this game from Science Journal for Kids, students will fish for candy to understand the importance of sustainable fishing practices.
Students will play 3 rounds of the game and discover how having rules in place can ensure that the fish populations will continue to grow, so everyone can have what they need.
This game provides opportunities to make connections to students' local realities, which will enrich the learning experience.
This game does a great job of helping students see how overfishing works and almost forces the "aha" moment, especially if using the method shown in the video.
Prerequisites
Students should understand the importance of having enough of a species to continue its population.
Differentiation & Implementation
Before playing, teachers of younger students can have a math activity where students are asked to rank the four candies that will be used to represent the fish species. The class can then compile and graph the data, using the results to determine which candy will represent which fish.
After playing the game, teachers can explain how climate change and ocean warming will impact ocean species, making sustainable fishing even more important.
This module is specifically about the Gulf of Maine and the impacts of climate change on its fish species, but it may also be useful for students outside of Maine.
Teachers can use this game to make connections to the Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting the connection between SDG 2, Zero Hunger, and SDG 14, Life Below Water.
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Science Journal for Kids
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