Other Products

1. The Irrigation v. Wildlife Role-Playing Simulation Game: Ecosystem management problems in systems with both agricultural and natural environments (e.g., soil and water conservation, watershed health, human-wildlife conflict) can be perplexing for many decision-makers due to the feedback-driven dynamics across natural and social spheres. Much research has found deficiencies in people’s ability to reason about such complexity because their mental models tend to be simple, visual, or lack the interrelated characteristics needed to understand nonlinear change over time. To test how well disciplinary education prepares managers for complex problem-solving situations, we designed a role-playing simulation capable to evaluating participant’s performance in a complex system. The simulation involves three stakeholder groups: irrigators, local communities, and conservation NGOs, who must manage surface water allocations in an arid watershed over a 30-year period. The goal is to achieve above financial breakeven in the agricultural sector without collapsing a wildlife refigure dependent on the surface water source for survival.

Curriculum Integration/Experiential Student Learning Outcomes

1. Undergraduate course, AGBU 3330 Decision Support Tools, supported by CREST in Spring 2021 facilitated 16 undergraduate students to participant in human dimensions research by completing IRB training, background reading about the CREST project, and contacting and conducting interviews of one to three stakeholders throughout the three service regions of the CREST- Coastal Bend, Winter garden, and Lower Rio Grande Valley.
2. The Irrigation v. Wildlife Role-Playing Simulation Game Event: This is an experiential learning event which included students and faculty from both College and Agriculture and Natural Resources and College of Engineering. Students from across colleges were randomized into stakeholder roles of the game and challenged to the find sustainable water resource solutions. Faculty played the role of external consultants for particular groups. Reflection questions documented the key learning insights and lessons students internalized throughout the game.