This is the scenario that our PBL was based on: Background to PBL 1 You were a passenger on an aircraft that has crash landed on a deserted island in the south Pacific Ocean. Only eight (8) of you have survived. The average temperature in the shade on the island is 90 defrees farenheight. You have scoured the wreckage of the plane and found that there appears to be no food and only water for eight (8) persons for 14 days. However, you did find two (2) inflatable dinghies with small sails but one boat can only safely fit four (4) people. Strangely, you find a chemistry set in a recovered suitcase. These were the materials found in the chemistry set. Careful analysis of the chemistry set shows the following laboratory equipment: 1 - 100 mL graduated cylinder 1 - 150 mL beaker 1 glass funnel 1 ring stand 1 iron ring 1 clay triangle 1 pinch clamp 1 styrofoam cup 500 filter papers 1 - 150 mL Erlenmeyer flask 500 g of fishtank gravel 2 ft of rubber tubing In addition, you have the following items at your disposal on the island: unlimited sand from the beach 2 Kg charcoal ash (leftover from your campfire)
fire and plenty of wood
Reconnaissance of the small island has determined that there is no fresh drinking water supply. Rather, there appears to be a swampy, foul-smelling pool of water near the middle of the island. A meeting of the survivors shows a clear distinction between those that believe the only chance for survival is to leave immediately on the dinghies with the limited water left and others who believe that they can purify the foul water using the chemistry equipment recovered. A compromise is reached and it is decided that four (4) people will attempt rescue by leaving the island on one of the dinghies. However, they will be taking three quarters (3/4) of the water left on their journey. Your group of four (4) will stay behind and await rescue. There is no time to waste. You have very little water and less time to figure out how to purify the water from the foul pool.
Will you survive?
Background to PBL 1
You were a passenger on an aircraft that has crash landed on a deserted island in the south
Pacific Ocean. Only eight (8) of you have survived. The average temperature in the shade on
the island is 90 defrees farenheight.
You have scoured the wreckage of the plane and found that there appears to be no food and only
water for eight (8) persons for 14 days. However, you did find two (2) inflatable dinghies with
small sails but one boat can only safely fit four (4) people.
Strangely, you find a chemistry set in a recovered suitcase.
These were the materials found in the chemistry set.
Careful analysis of the chemistry set shows the following laboratory equipment:
1 - 100 mL graduated cylinder
1 - 150 mL beaker
1 glass funnel
1 ring stand
1 iron ring
1 clay triangle
1 pinch clamp
1 styrofoam cup
500 filter papers
1 - 150 mL Erlenmeyer flask
500 g of fishtank gravel
2 ft of rubber tubing
In addition, you have the following items at your disposal on the island:
unlimited sand from the beach
2 Kg charcoal ash (leftover from your campfire)
fire and plenty of wood
Reconnaissance of the small island has determined that there is no fresh drinking water supply. Rather, there appears to be a swampy, foul-smelling pool of water near the middle of the
island. A meeting of the survivors shows a clear distinction between those that believe the only chance
for survival is to leave immediately on the dinghies with the limited water left and others who
believe that they can purify the foul water using the chemistry equipment recovered. A
compromise is reached and it is decided that four (4) people will attempt rescue by leaving the
island on one of the dinghies. However, they will be taking three quarters (3/4) of the water left
on their journey.
Your group of four (4) will stay behind and await rescue. There is no time to waste. You have
very little water and less time to figure out how to purify the water from the foul pool.
Will you survive?