Technology & Teamwork Assist Local Emergency Planners! (A Learn and Serve America Subgrantee)

Students from Laconia High School in New Hampshire are well on their way to the creation of a DVD that will contain blueprints and critical information to be used by emergency services. In addition to creating a new emergency brochure for parents, students are using state of the art Computer Aided Drafting software and laser measuring tools to create detailed floor-plans and 3-D views of each room within the high school. Information like room location, size, hazardous material present, amount of doors & windows, location of emergency exits, and a video clip of the room will be compiled and converted to a DVD that fire, police and other emergency officials can review prior to, or during an emergency event. The project is expected to expand to other schools within the district and then to other public buildings within the city.

Through several reflection activities, students have made note of definite connections to their math, science, English and technology classes and have enjoyed working with Sheriff Dan Collis of the Belknap County Sheriffs Department. Students have also started the creation of a web site that will document their progress and describe the detailed procedures used in the creation of a final product. The web site will also be used to post the new emergency brochure with web-links to all state and local emergency contacts.

For more information about Project Extra! at Laconia High School, contact Paul Robdau, 345 Union Ave, Laconia, NH 03246, at probdau@laconia.k12.nh.us - http://www.projectextra.org/.