Population Game

In this outdoor game, learners simulate a herd of deer trying to survive in an area called the "home range." Learners explore the concept of "carrying capacity"—what size population of an organism can be supported by the food supply in the organism's home range. The game simulates five years in the life of a deer herd, with changing factors such as the addition of new young deer, the reduction of food sources, and dispersal of the herd to new feeding areas. Learners consider similarities and differences between deer and human populations over time, and the impact of humans feeding wild herds. A white board or large sheet of paper can serve as the data board.