Year 10 Club 9 Geographers tackle global trade
On Wednesday 2nd July Year 10 took part in an exciting activity called The Trading Game. As it’s name suggests students are divided into countries and they have to generate wealth which they then deposit in the World Bank. In order to reflect the real world the countries had different starter packs. They generated wealth by cutting out certain shapes on the paper provided (exact sizes only) using pencils, rulers, scissors and protractors, For example The USA had a lot of scissors etc but not a lot of paper, whereas Bangladesh had lots of paper but nothing else.
The idea of the game is for the countries to trade ‘resources’ for ‘technology’ so they can all make money. It soon becomes very clear that the rich countries can easily take advantage of the poorer ones, very much like real life.
It didn’t take long for some countries to start taking advantage of their powerful position (yes, you USA) and for the poorer ones to start feeling frustrated and dejected (Sorry Bangladesh!). We also threw in a few natural disasters just to make matters even worse.
I am also sorry to report that the Banker revealed himself to be open to corruption (Oh dear Mr Casimir!). Like I said a real reflection on how trade works in the world and how some countries have little power in how it works.
Year 10 were brilliant and fully engaged in the activity, we had a great time.
