Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________
The Island Project
The Scenario: You have finally had enough of all the negativity and direction of our country. You and
your group decide to embark on your own journey to establish a new country. You arrive at the new
island, as far as you know, you are the only inhabitants and it is up to you to develop the new society.
This society should meet your needs, as you define them, and it should avoid the mistakes of "the old
one”. This is a beautiful island. It is tropical (average temperature 80°F), it has many sources of food
(fruit trees, fish, land for agriculture), and it has a steady wind from the West of about 15 m.p.h..
Remember, this is not a vacation, you have work to do . . so get to it!
Directions: Use the questions provided to guide your discussion of how you will set up this new society.
Present your answers on Google Slides, Prezi, or a video (shared with me and all of your group members
– ty.forehand@vbschools.com) headed by the name you have given to the island. Use pictures where
possible and be creative while also answering the questions and designing a sustainable, successful (up
to your group how you define successful) society
Roles: Each group member must have a role! The maximum number per group is 4 and at minimum 2.
1) Captain: Go through the questions with your group one at a time. Keep group moving along and
on schedule.
2) Recorder: Record any group response to each question.
3) Group Conscience: Make sure answers do not conflict with one another and that they are
consistent with economic plan. Ask questions to help group develop more specific responses.
4) Map Specialist: Keep others aware of geography and natural resources of island to help group
develop a realistic economy.
SETTING UP YOUR ISLAND SOCIETY:
1) Economic Plan
● What will be your economic and/or socio-economic goals? Choose only most important
ones, recognizing trade-offs.
● Overall, what will be produced? How will it be produced? For whom will it be produced?
Who will make those decisions (government, individuals or a mix)?
● How will your island government be involved in the economy? (economic systems:
traditional, command, or market?)
Directions: Use answers to "Economic Plan" to determine the following. Make sure your responses are
consistent with your overall plan.
2) Land/Distribution/Location
● Will the land be privately owned? If so, who gets it and how?
● Should the land be owned by everyone together?
● Should you divide it up and distribute it? If so, should it be divided equally? What
constitutes equal?
● Where on the island should you live? (Draw this on map.)
● Should you consider the needs of the environment? How?
● Who has rights to the water? How will these be provided for?
3) Labor
● What work must be done? List the kinds of jobs required to sustain the lifestyle you
desire.
● Who should do these jobs? (Based on your qualifications/human capital from your
profile)
● What about the jobs that nobody likes?
● Does each person just have one job or many?
4) Land
● What natural resources will be used to produce goods?
● Will there be rules governing use of natural resources? Why or why not? If yes, which?
5) Capital
● mmmmm,xxxxxxxxx
6) Basic Needs
● Are there some basic needs that you believe should be guaranteed for all?
● If so, what are they? Or do you think that individuals should secure their needs by
themselves?
● Create a name for your team that reflects the type of system you have developed.
Complete this checklist to make sure you have included all elements.
Society named ________
Map drawn ________
Categories labeled ________
Economic plan – all questions answered ________
Land – all questions answered ________
Land – required elements drawn on map ________
Labor – all questions answered ________
Capital – all questions answered ________
Capital – required elements drawn on map ________
Trade – all questions answered ________
1st problem solving question answered ________
2nd problem solving question answered ________
