Cozy River Valley
Provided by: Vault Learning Games|Published on: August 29, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Games
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography
Authors: Field Day Lab
Region: New Mexico
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This web-based game casts students as a farmer who must balance agricultural production with the water needs of the community and environment.
- Players make surface water and groundwater decisions, work with neighbors to replenish the aquifer, and respond to challenges like droughts, floods, shifting weather, market fluctuations, and land-use changes.
Teaching Materials
Classroom Implementation:
- An in-game almanac guide explains game elements so players can familiarize themselves during the first level.
- Assigning pairs of students to play together, followed by reflection and whole-group discussion, works well because each play-through yields different water, community, and climate events to compare.
- Use the game to introduce mitigation and adaptation as coupled responses to climate change through different planting strategies and technologies.
Differentiation:
- This game can be completed with either mouse/trackpad or keyboard commands and can be played without sound.
- Develop a playing guide where students capture key information they learn (e.g., what groundwater is, how crops differ, etc.).
Related Resources:
- Dive deeper into the strategy of agrivoltaics with this video.
- Use this video to introduce regenerative agriculture.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
