Emergency Preparedness!

Thursday's county wide blackout and Sunday's 10 year anniversary of September 11th are powerful reminders that large scale emergencies can happen without warning. As designers, we will consider ways that we can be better prepared for life's unexpected events. This activity serves as an opportunity to apply the PLTW 12-step design process that is part of our Engineering and Design curriculum.

Task:
Use the 12-step Design Process discussed in class to develop an Emergency Preparedness Plan. Define the problem, brainstorm solutions, create a prototype, generate user feedback and then readjust your solution.

Criteria:
Prepare a list of essential items your family would like to have on hand for an emergency situation.
You may collaborate with your classmates in developing your plan.
Each student will prepare their own list.

Constraints:
Items required for the plan/list must be affordable for your family.

Assignment: Emergency Preparedness Supply List (5pts)
Prepare and complete the following on a sheet of paper. Ensure your product is neat and legible:
Define the Problem (1pt) - What types of emergency situations might you and your family need supplies for? List at least 3.
Brainstorm Ideas (1pt) - List at least 20 ideas for supplies you could use for the given emergencies. Get input from at least one other student (list student next to any ideas they shared). Remember the rules of brainstorming is that there are no rules.
Generate a Solution (1pt) - Given the constraints listed above, generate a list of supplies for you and your family.
Solicit Feedback (1pt) - Get specific "+, delta, ? and !" feedback from your family. List who shared what input with you.
Refine your Solution (1pt) - Adjust your plan based on your feedback. Cite a specific change based on each category of feedback (+, delta, ? and !).

The Problem: A family may need emergency supplies in situations such as earthquakes, tsunamis, blackouts, or major storms. This supplies list would be for extreme situations, such that individuals must fend for themselves.

Brainstorming Supplies:

-Machete

-Flint

-Swiss Army Knife

-Nonperishable Food Items

-Water

-Pot/Pan

-Compass

-Map

-Pistol and Ammunition

-Clothing (ranging in ability to retain heat) (Joe Rodgers)

-Boots

-Binoculars

-Whistle

-Car

-Gasoline (Joe Rodgers)

-Hydrogen Peroxide

-Band-Aids

-Tape

-Rope

-Stress Ball

Affordable List:

-Machete

-Flint

-Swiss Army Knife

-Nonperishable Food Items

-Water

-Pot/Pan

-Compass

-Map

-Pistol and Ammunition

-Clothing (ranging in ability to retain heat)

-Boots

-Binoculars

-Whistle

-Car

-Gasoline

-Hydrogen Peroxide

-Band-Aids

-Tape

-Rope

-Stress Ball

Generate a Solution:

+ (positive)
-Thorough and specific list (Mom/Dad)

Δ (what to change)
ADD:
-Duct Tape (Mom)
-Batteries (Mom)
-Radio (Mom)
-Cooler (Mom)
-Blanket (Mom)
-Tarp (Mom)
-Small generator (Dad)
-Hunting knife(Dad)
-Matches(Dad)

? (questions presented during the discussion)
Mom - None
Dad - Is this too much to be able to carry? (functionality)
Dad - Are we trying to stay alive or move? (purpose)
Mom - How long do we have to acquire these supplies?
Mom - How long does this situation occur for? Indefinite?

! (ideas to add/take off supplies)
-Pistol and Ammunition take off (Mom)... Doesn't know enough about guns to want to use them
-Take the truck instead of the car (Mom & Dad)... 4x4 - Bigger and can carry more
-Substitute first aid kit for some individual first aid items (Dad)
-I would take the pistol and ammunition (Dad)

Refine the Solution:
-Flint
-Nonperishable Food Items
-Water
-Pot/Pan
-Compass
-Map

-Pistol and Ammunition

-Clothing (ranging in ability to retain heat)

-Boots

-Binoculars

-Whistle

-Truck

-Gasoline

-Tape

-Rope
-Duct Tape (Mom)
-Batteries (Mom)
-Radio (Mom)
-Cooler (Mom)
-Blanket (Mom)
-Tarp (Mom)
-Cocoa... Dog (Mom of course)
-Small generator (Dad)
-Hunting knife(Dad)
-Matches(Dad)
-First Aid Kit (Dad)