ISP 205, Section 3, Prof. Stein, Spring 2003
Problem Solving Activity

FOUR to FIVE Students Work Together in a Group
But Each Submit their OWN Activity Sheet
                                      Name: __________________________


                                      Student Number: ________________
Other group members:

                                 
Name: __________________________


Name: __________________________


Name: __________________________


Name: __________________________
Hand in one sheet for each person. Work with the students nearest you in your row or adjacent rows. You must have four or five students per group to get credit.

Winter Survival

The Situation

You have just crash landed in the woods of Northern Minnesota and Southern Manitoba. It is 11:32 a.m. in mid-January. The small plane in which you were traveling is completely destroyed except for the frame. The pilot and co-pilot have have been killed, but no one else is seriously injured.

The crash came suddenly, before the pilot had time to radio for help or inform anyone of your position. Since your pilot was trying to avoid a storm you know the plane was seriously off course. The pilot announced shortly before the crash that you were 80 miles northwest of a small town that is the nearest known habitation.

You are in a wilderness area made up of thick woods broken by many lakes and rivers. The last weather report indicated that the temperature would reach -25 F in the daytime and -40 F at night. You are dressed in winter clothing appropriate for city wear -- suits, pantsuits, street shoes and overcoats.

While escaping from the plane your group salvaged the 15 items listed below. Your TASK is to rank these items according to their importance to your survival.

You may assume that the number is the same as the number in your group and that the group has agreed to stick together.

Winter Survival Decision Form

Rank the following items according to their importance to your survival, starting with " 1 " for the most important and proceeding to " 15 " for the least important. This is an exercise in group decision making. Try to arrive at a consensus ranking. Consensus is difficult to reach. Therefore, not every ranking will meet with everyone's complete approval. Try, as a group, to obtain at least partial agreement about each ranking. Present your position clearly and logically and listen carefully to other group members reactions and positions. Encourage everyone to participate in the decision process. Seek out differences of opinion. More options improves the chances for an adequate solution. Discuss underlying assumptions, why members make certain choices. Observe yourselves and how you reach a decision. 

___ Compress kit                      ___ Sectional air map
    (with 28 ft, 2 in. gauze)             (made of plastic)
___ Ball of steel wool                ___ 30 ft or rope

___ Cigarette lighter (without fuel)  ___ Large chocolate bar
                                          (1 per person)
___ Loaded .45-caliber pistol         ___ Flashlight with batteries

___ Newspaper (1 per person)          ___ Quart of 85-proof whiskey

___ Compass                           ___ Extra shirt and pants
                                          for each survivor
___ Two Ski Poles                     ___ Can of shortening

___ Knife

Updated: 2003.03.31 (Monday) 14:20:54 EST
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Visions of the Universe

Bob Stein's home page, email: steinr@msu.edu