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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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December
2003
Volume 5
- Number 3 |
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Related Sites:
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Report on the
New Disaster Board game for Kids developed by FEMA By Uloaku
Echebiri The
Dept of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
has
created a new board game for kids. The game called Disaster Discovery
is
located on the agency’s website and can be played online or downloaded
and
played on a personal computer. It can also be printed out and played in
hard
copy. Macromedia’s Flash player is required to play the online version
of the
game. The
board game has four sections: Tornado Alley, Hurricane Season, Quake
Country
and Flood Plain. A Player is asked different disaster-related questions
where
answers are based on given options. Answering a question correctly
moves the
player forward and incorrect answers require the player to remain in
the same
position. However, Hazard cards are encountered in the course of the
game where
the player is not asked any question but is required to move a few
steps
forwards or backwards depending on different disaster scenarios. The
game is
over once you reach the end of board four. When playing
the printed out version, players must begin by selecting animal pieces
that
have been turned upside down. The order of the turn is Fox, Rabbit, Owl
and
Turtle. Player 1 then draws a card, if it is a question card and the
player
answers correctly, they can then roll a die and move forward by the
number
shown on the die. The die is rolled only for correct answers; an
incorrect
answer, as in the online version, requires the player to remain in the
same
position. It then becomes the turn of the next player to draw a card.
The
hazard cards are mixed with the question cards and once drawn, indicate
how
many steps the player should move forward or backwards. The first
player to
finish in board four wins the game. Disaster
Discovery is only one out of the numerous games found on FEMA’s
website. The
website debuted in 1997 and was one of the first government sites
created
specifically for children. On the site, kids can play games, read
stories,
learn what items are needed in a disaster supply kit, and how to
protect their
pets during a disaster. The site has been recognized for its large
contributions towards teaching children about disasters and how to
prevent
disaster damage. Among its awards is its selection as a showcase site
on the
911 Fire Police Medical website. Play the game: www.fema.gov/kids/board/boardgame.html References: www.fema.gov/kids/board |