Creative Dad CompanyCreative Dad Company
MathHistoryStorytelling

Space Colony Election

Log in to save
Grades 6-860-75 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Teams design a voting system for a fictional space colony choosing how to allocate scarce resources, then stress-test it for fairness when factions disagree.

Choose your version

Every level teaches the same core idea — pick the one that fits your time, budget, and energy today.

Prep: 10 minActivity: 30 min1 session~$0/groupOne table or a clear section of floorBeginner-friendly

Setup

Print or hand-copy the essential prompt for Space Colony Election, then set out only paper, pencils, and the common or recycled items needed for one test. Use a tabletop representation whenever the original version mentions a room, specialized device, or digital tool; the learning comes from the decisions and evidence, not elaborate scenery.

Activity

  1. Read the colony's resource scenario and predict which voting system — majority rule, ranked choice, or weighted votes — will feel fairest to the most colonists.
  2. Design the chosen voting system's rules and ballots for the colony's resource-allocation decision.
  3. Run the vote with classmates role-playing colony factions, find a faction feels the outcome is unfair, and adjust the system's rules to address it.
  4. Debate the final resource allocation as a colony council, explaining how the voting system shaped the outcome.

Done when: The group has completed Space Colony Election when it can debate the final resource allocation as a colony council, explaining how the voting system shaped the outcome and point to the observation, measurement, comparison, or trial that supports its conclusion.

Materials

ballots or index cards, voting box, poster board, markers, poker chips as resource tokens

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Disclosure: Materials links below go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Steps

  1. Read the colony's resource scenario and predict which voting system — majority rule, ranked choice, or weighted votes — will feel fairest to the most colonists.
  2. Design the chosen voting system's rules and ballots for the colony's resource-allocation decision.
  3. Run the vote with classmates role-playing colony factions, find a faction feels the outcome is unfair, and adjust the system's rules to address it.
  4. Debate the final resource allocation as a colony council, explaining how the voting system shaped the outcome.