Now for something a little bit different:
Have a look at the activity "NASA Exercise - Lost on the Moon" (Chapter 10, page 430). I'd like you to complete the exercise, and then list your top five (i.e. most important) choices with an explanation as to why you chose them (keeping in mind the theory discussed in the chapter). Then consider what other group members have concluded. Do you agree with their choices?
I'll chime in later in the week with the "NASA Expert" answers, and we'll see what kind of congruence exists :o)
okay so here's my stab in the dark (no pun intended). Your most valuable asset would be oxygen so I would takethe two tanks as number 1. Water is number two for survival so the five gallons of water would be #2. #3 would be the food concentrate. These three items are necessary for survival and cannot be found on the moon. I would choose the stellar map as my number 4 because I have a hunch that is how I will know which direction to go in. My #5 choice would be the rope, because I will need it for climbing and for attaching all of these items to us, so they don't fly away
ReplyDeleteI am in a dilemma here though, because I would want to bring my pistol in case I had to defend myself against aliens :)
The four things I am pretty sure I wouldnt need would be the compass (magnetic pull), the matches (no oxygen) and the two solar powered items (we are on the dark side of the moon).
1. 200 pounds of oxygen
ReplyDelete2. five gallons of water
3. food concentrate
4. stellar map
5. solar powered FM radio transmitter (because the mother ship is on the lighted side of the moon- once you get in site, maybe you could use it)
I chose oxygen because it is a necessity for survival and we could not function without it. The same goes for water and food concentrate. These are the 3 most important items for survival. I chose the stellar map because this must be their means of navigation (I am assuming). I chose the radio transmitter because once the team reached the halfway point (sun in sight) they could communicate with the mother ship.
It was easy to eliminate a few items from the list automatically., i.e., matches, pistols, self-inflating life raft, heating unit, magnetic compass and signal flares (although I may be totally wrong with a few of these because maybe they can serve some sort of alternate purpose that I don't know about). I am not sure where the nylon rope, parachute silk, milk, and first aid kit would fit, or again if they serve some purpose I am not aware of.
Anyways, this is my best guess (:
My bad, I posted in the wrong group. Sorry (:
ReplyDeleteSo here are the top 5 choices I made:
ReplyDelete1) Two 100 pound tanks of oxygen.
• This was my first choice because I am pretty sure that you cannot survive in space without oxygen!
2) Five Gallons of Water.
• Water is even more important than food especially if you are trekking on a 200 mile journey through space.
3) Food Concentrate.
• The energy that the food would give would be crucial to make it to the mothership.
4) Box of Matches.
• I chose the matches because I felt like they have numerous purposes. They can keep you warm and they can be used to create a rescue sign.
5) Solar Powered FM Transmitter.
• I was torn between this and the compass. I figured that the mother ship would have the technology to communicate with the transmitter and even if you only were able to get in contact for a brief moment at least they would know that there were survivors from the wreck and they would search for you.
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ReplyDeleteHere we go - NASA's rankings of the items. Have a look at them (and the rationale for their inclusion) and then think about how your rankings compared. Why do you think your rankings were close / not so close to the experts? Do you think the results would have been different if you had made your decisions in a group, as opposed to as an individual? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteNASA's rankings in order:
1. Oxygen tanks (air - gotta have it on the moon :o)
2. 5 gal. water (replacement for liquid loss)
3. Stellar map (primary means of navigation)
4. Food concentrate (efficient means of energy)
5. Solar powered transceiver (communication, but FM does require line of sight to work)
6. Nylon rope (useful in scaling cliffs, etc.)
7. First aid kit (syringes for vitamins, medicine)
8. Parachute silk (protection from sun's rays)
9. Self-inflating life raft (CO2 bottle could be used for propulsion)
10. Signal flares (distress signal if ship is sighted)
11. .45 cal pistols (possible means of propulsion)
12. Dehydrated milk concentrate (bulkier duplicate of food)
13. Heating unit (not needed unless on dark side)
14. Magnetic compass (moon's magnetic field not polarized - useless)
15. Box of matches (no O2 on the moon 0 worthless)
Here I am posting my list after the results are listed....here is what I would have taken:
ReplyDelete1. Two 100 pound tanks of oxygen. Won't get far on the moon if you don't have oxygen.
2. Five gallons of water. Definately need water in order to survive.
3. Stellar map. To use to reach the mother ship.
4. 50 feet of nylon rope. To ensure everyone stays together.
5. Food concentrate. For energy.
The exercise does not indicate how many crew members have been stranded but I beleive that the items taken would have been different based on the group's decision as opposed to what I choose. In a crisis situation, decisions tend to be based on emotions rather than rationale. The group dynamics and cohesiveness also would play a role in the abitity of the crew to make the right choices. Does one person step forward as leader or does the group work as a team?
ReplyDelete1. oxygen..I think that is pretty self explanitory
ReplyDelete2. water..you cannot go very long without water
3. food..for energy
4. map..so you know where you are going
5. signal flares..indicate where you are if you are lost
I think they would differ for sure if the decision was made as a group. When I was making the decision, I was assuming that I would make it there quickly. Some people would probably think that we may run into problems, get hurt, or have to plan for a means of keeping warm. I agree with Shari, the group dynamic would play a huge role in what got chosen. It depends on each individual, and what that individual can do for the group.
ReplyDeleteI think typically, the answers would differ if the group discussed it. For this particular exercise, I made my own decision and then I asked my husband and he had me convinced of uses for some of the other items. This made me stop and question my original thoughts. For this scenario, however, I think the group would have probably been in agreeance. They would all be well trained experts on what to expect on the moon and I do not believe that there would have been much argument over what the top items would be.
ReplyDeleteTypically, depending on the personalities of the individuals and the dynamics of the group, people can be influenced quite easily (especially on a topic that one has very little knowledge of).
I personally cannot stand people that will argue with someone over a topic that they know very little about. I agree with Barb in saying that the personalities and skills of each team member may vary, therefore those with the most experience or know-how in this particular field, should lead the pack. And those without should follow along.
ReplyDeleteFrom Meg :o)
ReplyDeleteAs evidence of my fourth choice matches and them rendered useless in space clearly I do not have the proper education in the area of space travel to make the correct 5 choices in this scenario. I feel that if the 5 items were chosen by a group it would change things. If there were people who had experience in space I would want them to make the final decision. I would want to have input, but would be more comfortable putting such a large decision in the hands of someone with experience. A group scenario may also make the decision more difficult as the scenario is high pressure and people may react negatively under such circumstances.
This discussion is now closed! Thanks Everyone!
ReplyDelete