- A population density map will have areas with high population density shaded in darkly, along with areas of lower population density represented in lighter shades. After explaining the concept of population density, ask your students to prepare population maps. For younger grades, give them clearly labeled maps of a small area, such as their town, and provide them with the data needed to complete the map. Ask older students to research the data themselves and complete more complex maps in greater detail.
- Provide students with a sheet of paper with two squares drawn on it, one square half the size of the other. Provide students with 40 beans, and have them place 20 of the beans on each square. Have them calculate the population density of each square. Then have them remove the beans and determine how many beans each square would need to contain for all the squares to represent the same population density.
- Make the concept of population density more real to students by having them calculate the population density of their classroom and compare that number with the population density of other familiar areas. Students can either measure the classroom themselves or complete a worksheet that lists the classroom dimensions. After calculating the population density of the classroom, they can compare it with other areas of the school and other locations in the community.
- Students can consider the causes and effects of population density. Have them think about the reasons some areas are more heavily populated than others, such as climate, arable land and access to water, transportation or infrastructure, and how these factors have changed over time. Students should discuss the negative effects of population density, such as conflict, crime and competition for scare resources. Also discuss positive aspects, such as available workforce, increased consumer markets and scaling of public services.
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