A severe summer storm has damaged the local electricity network. The school has been told that there may be a 6-hour power outage on a very hot day.
Your team has $20,000 to design an emergency power and safety plan for the school. You cannot power everything. You must decide what is most important, use the data, and justify your choices.
| Area | Power Needed | Importance | Risk if Not Powered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical / First Aid Room | 1.0 kW | Very High | Medication fridge, first aid communication |
| Main Office + PA System | 1.5 kW | Very High | Cannot contact students, parents, emergency services |
| Science Freezer | 2.0 kW | High | Loss of biological samples / experiment materials |
| IT Server + Wi-Fi | 2.5 kW | High | No digital communication, attendance or learning systems |
| Cool Safe Zone | 3.5 kW | Very High | Heat-stress risk for students |
| Library Study Area | 2.5 kW | Medium | Reduced comfort and learning continuity |
| Cafeteria Fridges | 2.0 kW | Medium | Food spoilage |
| Time | Outdoor Temp. | Indoor Classrooms | Indoor Hall | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 am | 32°C | 27°C | 26°C | Moderate |
| 12:00 pm | 37°C | 30°C | 28°C | High |
| 2:00 pm | 41°C | 33°C | 30°C | Very High |
| 4:00 pm | 39°C | 34°C | 31°C | Very High |
Note: A powered “Cool Safe Zone” can keep one hall below 27°C for vulnerable students and staff.
| Option | Cost | Power Capacity | Runtime | Reliability | Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Bank | $8,000 | 5 kW | 6 hrs | High | Needs charging before outage |
| Portable Solar + Battery | $6,500 | 3 kW | 6 hrs | Medium | Less effective during storms/cloud |
| Diesel Generator | $7,000 | 8 kW | 6 hrs | High | Noise, fumes, fuel storage |
| Smart Load Controller | $3,000 | Saves 20% | N/A | High | Does not generate power |
| Emergency Cooling Fans | $2,500 | Uses 1 kW | 6 hrs | Medium | Needs power source |
| Satellite Communication Kit | $2,000 | 0.3 kW | 6 hrs | High | Limited data, emergency use only |
| Priority | Students | Parents | Teachers | Total Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student heat safety | 82% | 91% | 88% | 87% |
| Communication with families | 61% | 94% | 84% | 80% |
| Protect science equipment | 55% | 62% | 90% | 69% |
| Continue normal classes | 48% | 52% | 47% | 49% |
| Reduce emissions | 73% | 68% | 65% | 69% |
| Criteria | Excellent — 4 | Good — 3 | Developing — 2 | Beginning — 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use of Data | Uses several data tables accurately and compares options. | Uses data with minor gaps. | Mentions data but not clearly. | Mostly opinion-based. |
| Decision Quality | Plan is realistic, within budget and strongly prioritised. | Mostly realistic and within budget. | Some weak choices or unclear priorities. | Over budget or unrealistic. |
| Reasoning and Trade-offs | Explains benefits, risks and why alternatives were rejected. | Explains main reasons with some trade-offs. | Limited explanation. | No clear justification. |
| Teamwork | All members contribute and transitions are smooth. | Most members contribute. | Uneven contribution. | One person dominates or group is unclear. |
| Communication | Clear, confident, concise and well-structured. | Generally clear with minor issues. | Some confusion or weak structure. | Hard to follow. |