Disaster Dynamics Five Year Plan 03-Dec-2003

Scientific Goals Disaster Dynamics transform descriptive case studies of natural hazard events into interactive learning tools for undergraduate and professional education integrate concepts of complexity, resilience, emergence, and adaptation in dynamic, computer-aided role-playing disaster simulations and games contribute to the design of hazard-resistant and resilient communities

Unique Attributes Disaster Dynamics targets FEMA higher education programs Focused on strategies for mitigation of hazard impacts Design approaches incorporate concepts from systems thinking and non-linear systems dynamics

NCAR Collaborators Education and Outreach (E&O) –Evaluate potential for K-12 adaptation of DD products Cooperative program for Operational Meteorology, Education, and Training (COMET) –Evaluate potential for use in professional distance education Unidata –Explore interfacing weather data with gaming tools Digital Library for Earth Systems Education (DLESE) –Knowledge resource NCAR Weather & Climate Assessment Initiative –Collaboration on extreme event theory and associated uncertainties NCAR Wildfire Initiative –Collaboration on content development for wildfire products USWRP –Connecting basic research to disaster management

University Collaborations University of Colorado, Boulder & Denver –College of Architecture and Planning - Alternative Growth Futures project –Center for Life-Long Learning & Design –Natural Hazards Center –Environmental Sociology Program University of Texas, Austin –Center for Space Research FEMA Higher-ed colleges and universities

DD Collaboration Figure

DD Deliverables Near-term –WFCA –Flow –(Freeway / Fishbanks) –DLUG Future –DD Toolkit –Integrated content system –Interface for instructors

The DD Toolkit Java library for development and customization of interactive network simulation games –Runs on Mac, Linux, PC Features –Zero configuration network - just double click –Instructor interface (future) –Reusable components (map, chat, voting) –Agent-based simulation framework –End-user customization without coding (with XML property files)

DD Architecture Agent-based Simulation Client/Server Networking Game Objects Game Turn Structure Visualization Toolkit Game User Interface