American Shad Run Simulation

The simulation game represents a part of the life cycle of anadromous American Shad species. Shad are anadromous which mean that they return from the ocean to freshwater streams in order to spawn. This game is to be used as a launching point for students to talk about ecology, life cycles and human impact on a species.


Standards: MS-LS1-4. Use argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants, respectively. MS-LS2-2. Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems

Use the link above to record down your results from the live simulation

Use the link above to record down your results from the electronic simulation

Game is based off of a lesson article "Let’s play that again! Engaging students in ecology by using instructional games" by Vanessa A. Klein.

There are follow- up questions in Schoology.

Want to learn more about American Shad in our local community? Check out the following websites.

Brandywine Shad 2020

Brandywine Shad Brochure, 2010

Article from 1915

(Wilmington, Del.), 31 May 1915. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85042354/1915-05-31/ed-1/seq-5/>

Article from 1906

(Wilmington, Del.), 14 May 1906. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87062237/1906-05-14/ed-1/seq-2/>