RULES:
GOAL:
In Weather or Not: Low-Tech Edition everyone plays a Red Cross Director of Operations. The goal of the game is to make good decisions (act or don’t act) on behalf of your village and remain in the game until the end.
MATERIALS:
One standard deck of playing cards. A facilitator runs the game, using a simple deck of playing cards or a ten sided die to act as a “roulette wheel” determining the outcomes (flood or no flood) of weather forecasts. Remove all the face cards (Kings, Queens, Jacks) from the deck of cards. Separate the remaining cards (Ace through 10) into a stack of red cards and a stack of black cards. The stack of red cards are the “forecast” with each number representing the percent chance that a flood will occur. For example an Ace represents a 10% chance of a flood, a 2 represents 20%, etc. The black stack represents the “outcome” of the actual event.
>back to topTIME:
The entire experience takes about 20 minutes, with actual game play at about 10 minutes, with 5 minutes for set up and 5 minutes for a closing discussion.
PLAYERS:
This game can be played with one facilitator and is best played with a group of about 25-50.
GAMEPLAY:
1. Take the first card off the top of the red “forecast” deck and reveal it to the audience. For example, let’s say it’s a “4″. This is equivalent to a 40% probability that there will be a flood.
2. Ask audience members to decide: Do they act, or do they not act? Audience members must visualize their choice by standing to act, or staying seated to not act. (Variation: ask audience members to move to different sides of the room.)
3. Explain to the audience that you will now pull a card from the black “outcome” deck.
For example, If the card pulled out of the deck is numbered 4 or less, there will be a flood. If it is higher than 4, there is no flood.
4. There are four possible outcomes to the game:
FLOOD
a. If they have decided to act and there is a flood, they have made a good decision, saved many lives and they get to stay in the game for the next round.
b. If they decided not to act and there is a flood they have failed to act and are out of the game.
>back to topNO FLOOD
c. If they have decided to act and there is no flood they have acted in vain and are out of the game (demoted from their position)
d. If they have decided not to act and there is no flood they remain in the game for the next round.
>back to top5. Play until there’s one person standing or time is up!
6. (optional but recommended) Have a discussion about the game. Question you might ask to prompt conversation include: Does this accurately model the challenges of disaster preparedness? What other factors might be included in the game to better simulate these situations?
7. Let us know how it went! Please email petlab[at]parsons[dot]edu with feedback and any documentation you might have so we can improve these games and share your results with others!
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