Now that we've figured out how tsunami waves occur, we agreed that we needed to think about solutions. Using an engineering firm's wave tank demonstration video, we saw firsthand the differences between three categories of "break/stop the wave" solutions: walls, breakwaters, and natural vegetation (not shown below). We saw benefits and limitations to each one, focusing on the criteria and constraints we developed as a class.
After sitting in a scientists circle, we couldn't really come to an agreement in any of our classes. While the recurved wall is indeed the best at breaking the wave, we saw that the cost constraint was really challenging to meet, as this design is the most expensive. However, some students suggested that putting the cost upfront would possibly prevent future damage, something tsunami-impacted communities would need to consider.
We also agreed that we could do all the recommending we wanted, but we didn't really know what the people of tsunami-effected communities would want. Mrs. Brinza was able to get her hands on some survivor stories from Japan's devastating 2011 tsunami. Along with better understanding how the detection of a tsunami works, we are seeing how multiple solutions, along with the first-hand account of stakeholders, can impact a community's decision.
We also agreed that we could do all the recommending we wanted, but we didn't really know what the people of tsunami-effected communities would want. Mrs. Brinza was able to get her hands on some survivor stories from Japan's devastating 2011 tsunami. Along with better understanding how the detection of a tsunami works, we are seeing how multiple solutions, along with the first-hand account of stakeholders, can impact a community's decision.
We're really putting all these pieces together, thinking about the final piece of this system. We've thought about:
1. Solutions to break the tsunami wave.
2. Solutions to detect the wave, using technology, data, and scientists.
3. Solutions to warn the people most likely to be impacted by the tsunami.
Should the warning be scary? Loud? Informative? Assertive? What happens with people who aren't able to hear? Would lights do the trick? What about people who are more remote? Who don't have access to technology that might send out a warning signal? What about kids? Elderly people? People with disabilities?
How do communities consider all types of people in preparing for and responding to a natural disaster like a tsunami?
1. Solutions to break the tsunami wave.
2. Solutions to detect the wave, using technology, data, and scientists.
3. Solutions to warn the people most likely to be impacted by the tsunami.
Should the warning be scary? Loud? Informative? Assertive? What happens with people who aren't able to hear? Would lights do the trick? What about people who are more remote? Who don't have access to technology that might send out a warning signal? What about kids? Elderly people? People with disabilities?
How do communities consider all types of people in preparing for and responding to a natural disaster like a tsunami?