The 10th Grade Science Project

My son brought home a science project that he has two months to complete. The subject? Preparing for a disaster!

Finally the public school is teaching something that could possibly save lives. Unfortunately, the teacher modified the assignment half way through. If people can not get the supplies they may need for a 72 hour period then they may draw a picture or cut out pictures from a magazine. The teacher was probably contacted by people who thought they could not afford (money wise) any special supplies.

That's too bad. Too bad the teacher didn't modify the assignment in a different way. For instance, forget a backpack and use a plastic garbage bag. Throw in a blanket and pillow from your bed. Use two litter soda bottles for water storage or some other containers from the kitchen. If they can't have a couple dollar tarp for shelter how about learning to get out of the elements by going under a pine tree in the woods (this is rural area) or using the garbage bag to stay dry. Make the kids think- what can I do to put this stuff together? What would I do to survive? Make them think of necessities: water, food, shelter, light and heat (it's cold here 6 months of the year at least).

What will these kids do with drawn pictures if a disaster occurs?

The project was to have enough supplies for 72 hours for 3 people. The kids put together emergency plans for in the home and away, learned what disasters may happen, took pictures of their families and identifying marks and gathered important paperwork together.

My son was luckier than most. Over the years he has been given everything he would need to survive. And our own food storage helped him to fill out his backpack with the food and water. (A used backpack we paid a few dollars for at lawn sale.) The only thing we had to go to the store for was the photographs he needed to show his supplies and pictures of his family if we ever got separated. In doing this assignment, we as a family, became more prepared. We know what roads to take from school or from his dad's house if anything happens. We know where to meet outside if there is a fire. Blizzards, tornadoes, floods and the nuclear plant where all discussed.

Every family should go through this assignment. Learning to survive a disaster before it happens could save so much grief later. In a way I think my son thought I was a little crazy before with the food storage but now I think he respects us just a little bit more because we have it.