Begin the activity by telling the students they are miners in search of a non-renewable resource. They will explore three areas with varying amounts of the resource and are responsible to distribute the resource among their group. Place enough candy at the center of the table so each group member receives a piece of candy. At this time, the students will discuss how the candy should be distributed among the group. Take two pieces of candy from each group and tell the students that they have just found their second site containing the non-renewable resource.
Groups are to share their distribution solutions with the class.
Collect the gum. Explain that this problem is occurring in the Central United States as we speak with groundwater. Display a map of the Ogallala Aquifer. Nebraska's groundwater supply is represented by the first site. Groundwater is distributed equally in Nebraska.