Search and Rescue Project (Kmz file)
Objectives
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•Plan and simulate a search and rescue operation
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•Choose and map a SAR search pattern
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•Compute time travelled using a rate
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•Justify problem solving decisions
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•Determine success of the SAR operation
Lesson Description
This lesson simulates a Search And Rescue (SAR) operation at sea in which the students are members of the Coast Guard. Working in teams, they must decide how to conduct their search using the equipment and data available to them. Lesson components include actual search patterns used in this kind of operation and vehicle specifications for a helicopter and cutter.
As a Project Based Learning exercise, the activity should last several days and the teacher should act as a facilitator to the students. Encourage plenty of discussion that leads students to the desired results. “Someone is missing. Where do you look first?”, “What kind of information do you need to know?”, “What equipment do you need?”, “Are there any limitations?” etc. Students could be asked to keep a journal of their decision making process. Copies of Google Docs I’ve used for this are included in the Helpful Links below.
A Powerpoint presentation is available below for download. The powerpoint includes search pattern information and search vehicle specifications. Students could be asked to research or design their own search patterns. Provide students with the SAR Google Earth file which includes the search region.
The students need to map their search patterns on Google Earth using the path tool. With the ruler tool and information on the speed of SAR vehicles, the students should calculate and include placemarks for the times of major turns or in 30 minute intervals. Successful SAR operations will consider spotting distance, environmental conditions, vehicle speed, and search pattern design.
The path of the missing person file should not be shared with the students until they have completed mapping their search patterns on Google Earth. The students will need to make more measurements and calculations to determine if the missing person was spotted and when. Success depends on the missing person being in sight of the SAR vehicles at the same time!
Downloads:
SAR Powerpoint presentation - SAR Project.ppt
SAR Assignment sheet - Word.doc
SAR Search Region - Google Earth kmz. file
SAR Project (complete folder) - Google Earth Kmz file
Sample student solution - Google Earth Kmz file
SAR grading rubric - Excel .xlsx
Helpful Links:
Search and Rescue - Google Doc Master (link)
Search and Rescue - Google Doc sample (link)
U.S. Coast Guard SAR (link)
Canadian Coast Guard SAR (link)
Search and Rescue Patterns from rockmoredave (link)
