2014:
THE CHALLENGE
WiSTEM Inc. has encountered a problem. One of it’s cargo ships has recently crashed, spilling oil into the Pacific Ocean and endangering the lives of many marine animals. This isn’t the first oil spill with such drastic consequences, however; in 2010, the Great Oil Spill leaked over 200 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico for 87 days, and affected around 16,000 miles of coastline. In order to prevent the spill from causing as great destruction as the oil spill before, WiSTEM Inc. researchers are attempting to find a way for the company to clean up the spill and take precautionary measures. These researchers have opened up the venture to the public, and now it is up to YOU to help find a solution.
Working in teams of two or three, draft a proposal to the following question: What are some ways that WiSTEM Inc. can fix its spill and/or prevent future ones? You may take any perspective you want (chemistry, engineering, marine biology, computer science models, etc). You are free to contact professionals and use any resources at your disposal to come up with a solution. However, the significant portion of the work needs to be done by the students. On the expo day, your group will be asked to present your idea on a tri-fold poster (detailing your introduction/background, procedure, predicted conclusions, etc). For guidelines, see here.
We wish you the best of luck, and remember that the future of WiSTEM Inc. and marine ecosystems everywhere are in your hands.
THE CHALLENGE
WiSTEM Inc. has encountered a problem. One of it’s cargo ships has recently crashed, spilling oil into the Pacific Ocean and endangering the lives of many marine animals. This isn’t the first oil spill with such drastic consequences, however; in 2010, the Great Oil Spill leaked over 200 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico for 87 days, and affected around 16,000 miles of coastline. In order to prevent the spill from causing as great destruction as the oil spill before, WiSTEM Inc. researchers are attempting to find a way for the company to clean up the spill and take precautionary measures. These researchers have opened up the venture to the public, and now it is up to YOU to help find a solution.
Working in teams of two or three, draft a proposal to the following question: What are some ways that WiSTEM Inc. can fix its spill and/or prevent future ones? You may take any perspective you want (chemistry, engineering, marine biology, computer science models, etc). You are free to contact professionals and use any resources at your disposal to come up with a solution. However, the significant portion of the work needs to be done by the students. On the expo day, your group will be asked to present your idea on a tri-fold poster (detailing your introduction/background, procedure, predicted conclusions, etc). For guidelines, see here.
We wish you the best of luck, and remember that the future of WiSTEM Inc. and marine ecosystems everywhere are in your hands.