UN/ISDR - Stop Disasters!

Stop Disasters is the brainchild of the UN and the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. It is a disaster-prevention simulation game - participants are called upon to upgrade and re-design an urban environment in order to minimise human risk in the event of a natural disaster. 

The site currently offers the following scenarios: flood, wildfire, tsunami, earthquake, and hurricane. Players can choose different levels of difficulty, reflected in the area that has to be covered. The player is given a budget, some goals, costs (for new infrastructure and buildings, demolishing existing structures, building defences, etc) and has to do their best using these to 'harden' the area and reduce risks. At the end of the game, the player is given a report that identifies their outcome (human cost, damage) and the goals that were met. Players receive points for useful actions - the higher the better - and can opt to have their score posted. 

I love this game, because it forces students to use their knowledge to consider how best to manage funds in order to maximise benefit. Players have to consider the terrain and make decisions - a great way to role-play these scenarios. The games are also well-scaffolded, with risk information available for each square of land, which helps players to identify the most at-risk areas. 

Of course, this game helps to tick the boxes for those ICT and critical thinking requirements, as well as being engaging. The use of graphics, sound, information and the time limit component (after which the disaster is enacted) work together to make this a truly enjoyable game (I'm having trouble stopping myself from playing them). 

My one issue is that the movement back and forth around the map can be a little fiddly and is accomplished using the up-down-left-right arrows. However, given that these are free games, one can hardly complain! I would also test the games on your school's computers to ensure that they a) aren't blocked, and b) that the internet is fast enough to be able to play the game reasonably well. They can't be downloaded and have to be played online. 

I'm really looking forward to trialling this in a classroom - if you do use it, I'd love to hear how it went. 

The UN/ISDR are hoping to be able to develop more scenarios, so fingers crossed that they succeed.