Team: 123
School: SOCORRO HIGH
Area of Science: Environment
Interim:
Problem: If New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (Tech) were to be subjected to a really bad fire, what could be done most efficiently to control the burn? Fire and the weather systems both work together to create an unpredictable, chaotic, system. As such, it can't be perfect, but it is possible to make very educated guesses as to the path of distruction. If fire fighers had more of that knowledge at their disposal, possibly more coul be done for the home and belongings of people who could possibly be effecte by a fire.
Solution: We propose to use various programming languages (see which one works best) to create an envirnment with certian rules and boundaries to simulate the actual Tech campus. We can then set a fire loose and judge what happens in the visual simulation as well as various numeric outputs, the end result being a program that, given the proper information, can predict the spread of fire.
Progress: Using Star Logo, we are using various methods to create a virtual version of the Tech campus. As soon as we think we have a decent model, fires will be started with basic controls in mind (though semi-random movement at first).
Expected Results: We think we'll find an algorithm for the movement of fire itself, depending on the materials present to be consumed and other conditions in which the fire exists.
References:
TerraServer - USA. 2005. Microsoft Corporation. 16 Dec. 2005
Adams, Cecil. "What Exactly Is Fire?" The Straight Dope. 22 Nov. 2002. Chicago Reader. 16 Dec. 2005
"Home Page of http://www.moebuildingcontrol.co.uk/." 2005. Moe Building Control Company. 16 Dec. 2005
Grimwood, Paul. Tactical Firefighting - CFTB. 2005. 16 Dec. 2005
BFRL: Fire.gov. 2005. Homeland Security. 16 Dec. 2005
Team Members:
Rudi Salazar
Sam Winn
Sponsoring Teacher: Hanh Nguyen