Elementary School Environment Simulations
Intro to Economics: Needs V. Wants
By Sarah Austin
An engaging way to begin a unit on economics! This fun and hands-on activity will have students explore the important concepts of human needs versus wants through an engaging rocket ship simulation. Students will be vicariously drawn into an emergency situation in which they must collaborate, and agree as to what items they consider as ‘essential’ for their survival on their rocket ship mission to live on a far away planet. An interactive Slide Presentation will help guide the groups on their journey… along with prompting students to delve deeper by examining the broader issues of sustainability, waste, and identifying the main differences between ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ countries.
Materials:
- Teacher Reference Guide
- Slide Presentation
- Handouts:
#1. Student Guided Notes & Student Reflection
#2. Rocket Ship Activity
If you liked this lesson see other related lessons here:
- Child Labor: Comparing Industrial Era to Today
- Analyzing Environmental Disasters Caused by Human Activity
- FDR & The New Deal Matching Game
- Mystery: What Caused the Great Depression?
- Post Zombie Apocalypse: What Form of Government Would YOU Create?