Game rules

Game narrative: In this game, each player will be provided with a random quantity of food which gives them a certain amount of energy (noted on a number card), allowing them to take a certain number of steps to move forward toward the finish line. Inevitably, some players will not make it to the finish line, so they will learn that underprivileged children do not have the same opportunities as others to advance in life. Consequently, the players who have an abundance of energy resources (a higher number of allowed steps on their card) can share them with others to help them advance. The goal is to trace down the competition and cooperation strategies and see if children will work together to give way to everyone to make it to the finish line. Sharing and splitting points trains also algebra - addition and subtraction.

The players' ultimate goal is to get as many of them to the finish line and combine their total points in order to make a contribution to a cause (in this game this is world hunger, but there could be other examples: planting trees, animal protection, cancer research, art conservation, or any other cause relevant to the audience). The bigger the number of energy points collected at the finish line, the bigger their contribution will be.

This game can be personalized (by changing the goal, the steps, the cards into other categories, etc.).

This game can also be played in teams: instead of having the whole group play on one map, the players can be divided into two teams who play simultaneously and try to collect more points at the end. This way the two teams can represent two "worlds" that are trying to beat world hunger, and the team who gathers more points would be more successful.

How do the players earn energy points? The game is composed of 3 rounds: during each round, each player draws a card at random and gets a type of food with a nutritional value between 0 and 5 (For example, "Homemade spaghetti with a salad: 5 points", "A bowl of plain rice: 3 points", "Nothing: 0 points"). This nutritional value is the number of energy points the player receives i.e., the number of steps they can move forward.

Game setup: There are 10 steps between the start and the finish line (step 10 is the finish line). A basket/container is placed at the finish line for all the players who reach the finish line to put their cards in. The setup can look different according to available space and other preferences. The requirements are to have a total of 10 steps and to have enough space at each step for more than one player (in case several of them reach the same number of steps in the same round).

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Game rules:

• The game is composed of three rounds.

• During each round, each player picks one card at random and moves forward the number of steps indicated on the card.

• Whenever someone reaches the finish line, they put all their cards into the finish line basket (or the "potluck").

NOTE: Even if a player reaches the finish line before the third round, they still get to draw a third card and either put it into the basket or give them to someone else to reach for the finish line.

• Only the players who reach the finish line can add their points to the basket i.e., the total funds raised for the chosen cause.

• The points of the players who do not reach the finish line by the end of round 3 do not count.

• The option to share points is not introduced at the beginning of the game. Throughout the game (usually between the first and second round), either the players will ask if they have the option to do so, or the teacher can bring it up while discussing privilege with the students. Once it is discussed, an additional rule is added to the game: you can share your points with other players.

Point sharing rules:

• The player is only allowed to share the points from the current round, i.e., the player cannot share points that they have already used from another round. In other words, players can share only the points on the card they just drew.

• The player has the choice to share all or part of the points they have, e.g., if a player picks a card with 5 energy points, they can either take 5 steps for themselves, give away all 5 steps, or share some of them with others (e.g., keep 2 and give 3), even share with more than one player (e.g., give 1 step to a player, 3 steps to another player, and keep 1 step).

• Even if a player shares their points, they have to keep the card with them till the end.

Role of the teacher and game organisation:

• Set up the game

• Explain the rules

• Be the card dealer

• Moderate the discussion about privilege vs. merit

• Introduce the idea of sharing points in case the students do not get there on their own

• Personalize the game in different ways:

  • Change the food on the food cards (maybe introduce vegan options, local dishes, etc.) depending on the audience.

  • Change the game set up to represent different stages in life (or other ideas) instead of the number of steps.

  • Choose a cause that is relevant to the students for the virtual fund that the finish line basket represents.