Goal: To learn the math needed in order for a fun, fictional world to operate as it progresses from a simple barter economy to a money-based economy with a centralized, tax-based government.
Skellig: A World of Islands
Each player gets an island, or skellig--using an Irish word. Each player names their island and designs the island to their liking through sketches and drawings.
Each player selects or creates an animal and a plant as their contribution to the barter economy. They will raise the animal either as livestock for food (e.g., goats) or as pets for sale (e.g., dogs). They will raise the plant as a crop to sell for either food (e.g., spinach) or decor (e.g., roses).
A central, larger island called Communio is used for gatherings and other functions: market, theater, post office, library (the Wisdomary), etc.
The island world of Skellig is inspired by The Wizard of Earthsea (see illustration).
Skellig: A World of Islands
Each player gets an island, or skellig--using an Irish word. Each player names their island and designs the island to their liking through sketches and drawings.
Each player selects or creates an animal and a plant as their contribution to the barter economy. They will raise the animal either as livestock for food (e.g., goats) or as pets for sale (e.g., dogs). They will raise the plant as a crop to sell for either food (e.g., spinach) or decor (e.g., roses).
A central, larger island called Communio is used for gatherings and other functions: market, theater, post office, library (the Wisdomary), etc.
The island world of Skellig is inspired by The Wizard of Earthsea (see illustration).
Health: The Driving Force of the Economy
Players must eat a balanced diet to maintain their health, as measured by health points. They barter their products at the market and quickly discover that mathematically they need to use ratios, as a goat is probably worth three chickens and a chicken is probably worth 20 tomatoes--for example.
Players must eat a balanced diet to maintain their health, as measured by health points. They barter their products at the market and quickly discover that mathematically they need to use ratios, as a goat is probably worth three chickens and a chicken is probably worth 20 tomatoes--for example.
Good Math Improves Lives. Bad Math Kills!
Problems arise on Skellig that math can solve. For example, what is the most efficient route for the mail-deliverer to take when traveling among all the islands? Good math can improve the mail-deliverer's life.
If someone does not eat a balanced diet, their health points could go to zero. Bad Math Skills Kill!
If a bridge built between two islands is not strong enough, residents can die. Bad Math Kills!
The Wisdomary (The Library)
In the Wisdomary resides five cherished books that a scribe regularly updates. Residents of Skellig can suggest additions to any of these books at any time.
Problems arise on Skellig that math can solve. For example, what is the most efficient route for the mail-deliverer to take when traveling among all the islands? Good math can improve the mail-deliverer's life.
If someone does not eat a balanced diet, their health points could go to zero. Bad Math Skills Kill!
If a bridge built between two islands is not strong enough, residents can die. Bad Math Kills!
The Wisdomary (The Library)
In the Wisdomary resides five cherished books that a scribe regularly updates. Residents of Skellig can suggest additions to any of these books at any time.
The Book of Questions: Interesting questions about math and problems of Skellig that math may improve are written in this book.
The Book of Hypotheses: If one of the questions from The Book of Questions is carefully examined by a player and an educated guess made, this question and educated guess are written in The Book of Hypotheses.
The Book of Conjectures: If one of the hypotheses from The Book of Hypotheses has been tested out with many cases and thus seems true, the hypothesis and tested cases are written in The Book of Conjectures.
The Book of Proofs: If one of the conjectures from The Book of Conjectures is proven to hold for all numbers or proven to be universally true, the conjecture and proof are written in The Book of Proofs.
The Book of Applications: If a new application is found for a conjecture in The Book of Conjectures or a proven truth in The Book of Proofs, the application is written in The Book of Applications.
Communal celebrations are held for additions to the last three books: The Book of Conjectures, The Book of Proofs, and The Book of Applications.
The Mayor of the Islands (the Skelligmeister)
The Skelligmeister prepares and organizes the game and guides the continuity of events. The Skelligmeister teaches the relevant math to the players so they can be productive citizens in Skellig. Players refer to the Skelligmeister by the title Meister.
The Book of Hypotheses: If one of the questions from The Book of Questions is carefully examined by a player and an educated guess made, this question and educated guess are written in The Book of Hypotheses.
The Book of Conjectures: If one of the hypotheses from The Book of Hypotheses has been tested out with many cases and thus seems true, the hypothesis and tested cases are written in The Book of Conjectures.
The Book of Proofs: If one of the conjectures from The Book of Conjectures is proven to hold for all numbers or proven to be universally true, the conjecture and proof are written in The Book of Proofs.
The Book of Applications: If a new application is found for a conjecture in The Book of Conjectures or a proven truth in The Book of Proofs, the application is written in The Book of Applications.
Communal celebrations are held for additions to the last three books: The Book of Conjectures, The Book of Proofs, and The Book of Applications.
The Mayor of the Islands (the Skelligmeister)
The Skelligmeister prepares and organizes the game and guides the continuity of events. The Skelligmeister teaches the relevant math to the players so they can be productive citizens in Skellig. Players refer to the Skelligmeister by the title Meister.