Disaster
Planning
Title: Hurricane Disaster
Dependant Variable (y axis): This is the
variable that is measured to see if it changes in
response to the independent variable.
Independent Variable: This is the variable that
the experimenter changes or manipulates.
Purpose: It helps determine if the variable
being tested is actually causing the effect being
observed.
Control: A control is the group or variable that is kept
unchanged in an experiment to serve as a baseline for
comparison.
Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a tentative, testable
statement that predicts the relationship between
two variables
Purpose: It is a specific, falsifiable prediction
that guides the design of the experiment.
● Write a hypothesis
● (opens in a new tab)
● for Deepika’s study and share it
with a partner.
● Sunlight can help clean dirty water
when it shines on special materials,
making the water safe to drink.
Independent variable: The type of material or
method used to clean the water
Dependent variable: How clean the water
became after being treated
8/17/2 Rules for Engineering Notebook 1
024
Disaster Relief 1
Problem Statement:For days after a natural or man-made
disaster, disaster victims in the affected areas are often left
without access to power, water, medical supplies, or food
necessary to maintain health and well-being. Relief
organizations want a compact and durable survival kit that
can be assembled remotely, shipped to areas affected by
disaster, and distributed to disaster victims. The survival kits
should provide emergency supplies to sustain a single (adult
or child) disaster victim for three days until more permanent
supply chains are established.
Design statement: design a survival kit or disaster victims
that will help them for 3 days
Brainstorm
1) Storage Bin
2) Mini Kit
3) 5 Gallon Bucket
4) Go bag Backpack
5) Briefcase
Best idea: 1)
Nuredin Tahir
Abdiaziz
Isaac
Disaster Relief 2
Issuing Sending
emergency alert evacuation
teams
Performing Sending search
damage checks and rescue teams
post hurricane
Disaster Relief 2
8/20/2024 Rules for Engineering Notebooks 1
12/15 Day 1
Worksheet — Day 1
(5 Questions)
1. What is a machine, and how does it help people solve problems?
They are contraptions used to make hard tasks much easier.
2. List the six simple machines and give one real-world example for each.
Lever, pulley,inclined plane, wedge,screw, wheel and axle.
3. Which simple machine would be best for lifting a heavy object straight up?
Explain why. (Open-ended)
Pulley, it lifts heavy objects
4. Identify the simple machines used in a pair of scissors.
Lever and wedges
5. Why is an inclined plane helpful when moving heavy objects?
Reduces force needed to move the object.
12/16 Day 2
Worksheet — Day 2
(5 Questions)
1. What does it mean when a machine “changes force”?
Modify the machine to do more work
2. Define a compound machine in your own words.
A machine that uses multiple simple machines to make it more efficient.
3. Identify the simple machines found in a wheelbarrow.
Lever , wheel and axle.
4. How does using a compound machine make work easier than using no
machine at all? (Open-ended)
It has a greater mechanical advantage.
5. Give one example of a compound machine used in manufacturing or
construction.
Wheelbarrow to carry heavy items over long distances.
12/17 Day 3
Worksheet — Day 3
(5 Questions)
1. What is ideal mechanical advantage (IMA)?
The theoretical mechanical advantage a machine would have if
there were no friction.
2. What is actual mechanical advantage (AMA)?
The real-world mechanical advantage that accounts for energy
lost to friction and heat.
3. A ramp is 4 meters long and 1 meter high. What is its IMA?
4m
4. A machine outputs 200 N of force when 50 N of force is applied.
What is the AMA?
4N
5. Why is AMA usually lower than IMA in real machines?
(Open-ended)
In the real world, some of the input energy is always lost to friction
between moving parts and air resistance that turns useful work into
heat.
1/7
- Conceptual Models
Answer: Models that represent initial ideas as you generate concepts
- Graphical Models
Answer: Sketches, diagrams, or drawings that help more fully develop
one or two potential designs and to share your design ideas with others
Open-Ended Questions:
1. Explain how conceptual models differ from graphical models in the design process.
Answer: conceptual models work at a high level in the design process, while graphical models
show what the system is like
2. Describe how Autodesk Inventor supports simulation and prototyping.
Answer: Autodesk Inventor supports simulation and prototyping by allowing designers and
engineers to test, analyze, and refine designs digitally before building physical models.
3. Explain why rapid prototyping is valuable during early design stages.
Answer: Rapid prototyping is valuable in early design because it lets teams quickly test ideas,
uncover problems, and improve solutions with real feedback before investing significant time or
money.
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Answer: the use of computer software to create, modify, analyze, and optimize precise digital
drawings or models for design and engineering purposes.
- Simulations
Answer: computer based models that imitate real-world systems or processes to study their behavior
and predict outcomes.
- Prototype
Answer: an early sample or model of a product built to test, evaluate, and refine a design before final
production.
1/5
Conceptual models: Models that represent initial ideas as you generate
concepts
Graphical models: Sketches, diagrams, or drawings that help more fully
develop one or two potential designs and to share your design ideas
with others
Computer models: Models or simulations to help visualize and test some
aspects of your design.
Physical models: Prototypes for product testing or marketing
This lesson talks about different types of solid models. They are used in
the design process to incrementally develop more details about your
design solution and share your solutions. The 4 types are conceptual,
graphical, virtual, and physical. They are often made using software
applications to represent different types of solutions. CADs are also
used to create 3d models and simulations.
What is a concept sketch and what is it used for?
Concept sketches are when models are put to life, when these
sketches are made, they can represent ideas in real time.
1/27 2.1.5 Rapid Prototyping
Additive manufacturing a type of rapid prototyping to make 3d objects
By stacking layers of a material.
Filament: a thin strand of material that is used for additive manufacturing or 3d
printing.
Extruder: a piece of metal that is heated and created a shaped hole
Through plastic filament or another metal to make a ribbon of that material.
Prototypes: A working model used to test a design concept by making
observations and necessary adjustments
Rapid Prototyping: A process, abbreviated RP, for quickly constructing a scale
model of a physical part or system using three-dimensional computer-aided
design models
Ethical Consideration:
The increase in accessible rapid prototyping tools caused developers to print living
tissue and weapons, which are being shared to people. I think that its a bad idea to
be sharing that type of rapid prototyping tools as it could be very dangerous in the
hands of the wrong person and someone sharing a weapon to someone and the
person making a weapon that causes injuries.
Summary: What i learned is rapid prototyping this was the main summary of what i
learned i also learned there are different ways of using rapid prototyping alongside
different types of tools these tools help make it easier to create 3d models and etc.
Summary: What i learned is rapid prototyping this was the main summary of what
i learned i also learned there are different ways of using rapid prototyping
alongside different types of tools these tools help make it easier to create 3d
models and etc.
Summary: Mechanical advantage means how much a machine helps
make lifting easier and the bigger the mechanical advantage the less
effort you need. Weight is a force caused by gravity pulling on an
object. Mass is how much matter an object has and it stays the same
while weight can change depending on gravity.
Calculate Mechanical advantage
Mechanical Advantage: a measure of the change in force magnitude
achieved by using a machine
Resistance force divided by effort force
Formula Ma =m resistance force/effort force fr/fe
Ideal machines are used to calculate mechanical advantage. In an ideal
machine, the parts have no weight and operate perfectly, with no
bending and no friction between the components.
Ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) is the ratio of the distance over
which the effort is applied to the distance over which the resistance
moves (IMA = de / dr).
Mathematical models are used to predict how objects and systems will
behave these models use relationships between variables to represent
real world systems and help engineers make accurate predictions and
design decisions.
Resistance 39x98 m/s2
Resistance effort 26x9.8 m/s2
Calculate mechanical advantage ama or ima
Effort distance 5 inches resistance distance 3.5 inches 1.42 IMA
1.5 AMA
1. If you push down with an effort force to lift a box (the
resistance force), how does the distance of the effort force
from the fulcrum affect the magnitude of the effort force
needed to lift the box?
If the effort force is applied farther from the fulcrum, less force
will be needed to lift the box. If the effort force is closer to the
fulcrum, more force will be required.
2. What happens to MA as you move the effort force closer
to the fulcrum?
The mechanical advantage (MA) decreases as the effort force
moves closer to the fulcrum.
3. How can you increase the amount of load you can lift
(resistance force) but still maintain the same effort force?
You can move the effort farther from the fulcrum or move the
load closer to the fulcrum. Either change increases the
mechanical advantage, allowing you to lift more with the same
effort.
Calculation 1 – Solve for effort mass using torque
balance
22 g × 7 in = E × 7 in
154 = 7E
E = 22 g
Calculation 2 – Check
22 × 7 = 154
22 × 7 = 154
Since both sides are equal, the lever is balanced.
Lever 2 Calculations
Calculation 1 – Solve for effort mass using torque
balance
39 g × 3.5 in = E × 10.5 in
136.5 = 10.5E
E ≈ 13 g
Calculation 2 – Check
13 × 10.5 = 136.5
39 × 3.5 = 136.5
Since both sides are equal, the lever is balanced.
Do you expect MA and IMA to be the same?
For Lever 1, the MA and IMA should be close but not
exactly the same.
For Lever 2, they should also be close but may not be
perfect.
Conceptual Sketch:
First-Class Lever
● Fulcrum in the center
● Effort force applied downward on left end
● Resistance (load) on right end
● Distance from fulcrum to effort = DE
● Distance from fulcrum to resistance = DR
● Effort moves downward distance = dE = 3 in
● Load moves upward distance = dR = ?
Because the lever is rigid, similar triangles are formed
when it rotates.
Mathematical Representation:
dE / dR = DE / DR
IMA = DE / DR
Therefore:
dR = dE / IMA
If IMA = 2 and dE = 3 in:
dR = 3 / 2 = 1.5
Estimated vertical distance the load moves: 1.5
inches
Scenario 1 (First-Class Lever)
Given:
dE = 2 in
DE = 8 in
DR = 3 in
Mathematical Representation:
dE / dR = DE / DR
2 / dR = 8 / 3
Solve for dR:
dR = 2 × (3 / 8)
dR = 6 / 8
dR = 0.75 in
The resistance force moves 0.75 inches
upward.
Scenario 2 (Second-Class Lever)
Given:
dE = 1.5 ft
DE = 5 ft
DR = 3.5 ft
Mathematical Representation:
dE / dR = DE / DR
1.5 / dR = 5 / 3.5
Solve for dR:
dR = 1.5 × (3.5 / 5)
dR = 1.05 ft
The load moves 1.05 feet upward.
Reflection
The AMA of a machine is smaller than
the IMA
IMA assumes there is no friction or energy
loss.
In real-world machines, energy is lost due to
friction, heat, and slight deformation of
materials.
Because of these losses, the output force is
less than the ideal prediction, so AMA is
lower than IMA.
How will solid modeling help engineers communicate ideas?
Solid models could help by showing a visual representation, helping
others know your intent
Parametric modeling: uses dimensions and constraints so changes
update automatically
Why is parametric modeling essential for iterative design?
To be able to update your changes easily without having to put them in
manually.
Concept explanations: Design intent anticipates future changes and
ensures models behave predictably.
How does poor design intent increase redesign costs?
Because if you put money into that design, and it fails, it will cost more
money to redo.
How does rapid prototyping impact innovation speed?
If the rapid prototyping is efficient, the innovation speed will increase.
3/2 2.3.1 work assistant problem statement
Problem Statement: Create, construct, and evaluate an
anatomical device aimed at aiding an employee of a Part & Parcel
Delivery Company in fulfilling their daily tasks, while also offering
ergonomic advantages to reduce the risk of injuries.
4.1.1
4/7 4.1.1
I notice that the urban area around Las Vegas grows from a
smaller, clustered pattern in 2001 to a much larger and denser
spread by 2011, and is predicted to become almost completely
filled in by 2050, especially expanding toward Henderson and
North Las Vegas. I also notice that growth avoids natural areas like
Red Rock Canyon but pushes closer to Las Vegas Bay over time. I
wonder if this level of expansion is sustainable given water limits
and whether future growth will continue outward or shift toward
denser development.
I notice that the second image has many more lights than the first,
especially across India, showing an increase in brightness. The
lights are concentrated in cities and along roads, while some rural
or mountainous areas remain dark. I wonder if this change is due
to population growth, increased electrification, or development
over time.
I notice that Boilingbrook, IL in the first image in 1993 looks very
plain and uninhabited but in the second image in 2018 it looks like
a bustling city i wonder if this is due to expansion and plain land
used for farming or planting.
urban sprawl: Urban sprawl is when a city expands outward into
nearby areas, usually in an unplanned or uncontrolled way.
Urbanization: Urbanization is when people move from rural areas to
live in cities.
4/7 4.1.1
Exit ticket: what did you learn about population?
I learned that population can grow overtime and decrease
overtime over a lot of factors, I’ve also learned that population
can multiply, divide based of off patterns. When we can identify
population through maps, we can understand when and where
people were interested and lived during that time to make
conclusions.
comment : By 2050, about 68% of people will live in cities, so
engineers and leaders must plan carefully to make cities safe
and meet everyone’s needs.
Road traffic accidents cause around 1.35 million deaths each
year, so improving road safety through better design and
planning can help save lives.
4/8 4.1.2
evaporation
Water heats up from the sun, and the water molecules move fast
enough to escape into the air as invisible vapor.
condensation
Water vapor in the air cools down and turns back into liquid droplets (or
sometimes ice). This usually happens when warm, moist air rises and
loses heat.
precipitation
Any form of water that falls from clouds to the ground like rain, snow,
sleet, or hail.
evapotranspiration
Water moves from the land into the air through two ways:
evaporation from soil and surfaces
transpiration from plants releasing water vapor
infiltration
Water soaking down into the ground through the soil.
4/8 4.1.2
4/9 Plastics
Plastics
Research: Plastic pollution has wide ranging consequences
from killing marine animals to long term health risk to humans
and massive global economic losses.
Sources: Plastic enters waterways through a wide variety of land
based and marine sources. About 70% to 80% of plastic in the
ocean arrives from land while the remaining 20% to 30% comes
from activities at sea.
Impacts: Plastic pollution has widespread impacts ranging
from the death of marine animals to potential long term risks to
human health and massive global economic losses.
Policys: The city of Saint Paul uses a policy called “Green to
go”, this policy took effect in 2022. The policy mandates that
food to go must be packaged in a good manner.
4/10 4.1.2
Conclusion Questions
Question 1: Cities could require green infrastructure like rain gardens,
green roofs, and permeable pavement to absorb water instead of
letting it run off. They might also limit how much land can be covered by
impervious surfaces and require stormwater management systems in
new developments.
Question 2: Urban stormwater runoff carries pollution into rivers and
lakes that people outside cities use for drinking water and recreation. It
can also cause flooding and damage in downstream rural areas.
4/13 4.1.3
System definition: A system is made up of different parts called
components or subsystems, each with a specific role. These parts
interact with each other by exchanging energy, materials, or
information to work together and make the whole system function
properly.
Systems that cities need to function: Transportation system, Water
system, Energy system, Waste management system, Communication
system, Public safety system and Healthcare system.
Subsystems to the Systems: Transportation relies on energy and
supports emergency services, while water systems depend on
electricity and affect public health. Communication systems help
coordinate public safety and healthcare, and waste management
supports sanitation. Because they depend on each other, if one system
(like energy) fails, it can impact many others across the city.
Understanding how systems interact: It is important to understand
how systems interact because changes or failures in one system can
affect many others. This helps people plan, fix problems faster, and
prevent bigger issues. Understanding these connections also makes
cities safer and more efficient.
Conclusion question 1 : New engineering disciplines evolve because
new technologies and global challenges create problems that require
specialized knowledge. They develop to combine ideas and solve
modern, complex issues more effectively.
Conclusion question 2 : You can use your system map to identify how
different parts of your community are connected, helping you spot
problems and understand their causes and effects.
4/14 4.14
Case study 3 : The commission misled the public by
downplaying earthquake risks, spoke outside their expertise,
and failed to prioritize public safety. This violated key
engineering canons, especially being truthful, staying within
competence, and protecting the public.
4/15 Surface Runoff Experiment
Surface Runoff experiment
Time 44.34
31 mm
Observations: Once we poured the water, the soil
absorbed the water as it was going down
4/16 4.13
Boxplot:
A boxplot is a graph that shows how data is spread out. It helps
you see patterns, the middle value, and how the numbers are
grouped or spread.
Quartile:
A quartile is when a set of data is divided into four equal parts
after being put in order. The points that divide the data are called
Q1, Q2, and Q3.
4/17 Water on the move and Urban
systems
1. Explain the water cycle
The water cycle is how water moves through the environment:
evaporation → condensation → precipitation → collection.
2. Why is it an urban system?
Cities depend on the water cycle for drinking water, wastewater
treatment, stormwater drainage, and ecosystem health, so it
becomes part of how urban areas function.
3. Importance of understanding how urban systems are
interconnected
Knowing the connections helps cities solve problems, prevent
failures, plan better, and understand how one system affects
another.
4. Example of urban system connections (3 layers)
Rainfall (water system)
→ increases stormwater runoff (infrastructure system)
→ causes traffic delays and road damage (transportation
system)
→ leads to economic impacts from slower commutes
(economic system).
Storm water runoff activity
Title: Storm Water Runoff Data Investigation
Problem Statement:
How does storm water runoff vary across different surfaces, and what patterns can be
seen in the collected data?
Brief Description of Activity:
We measured how much water ran off different surfaces after water was poured on them.
Each group collected runoff amounts and recorded the data.
Data collection:
Surface Runoff experiment
Time 44.34
Collected: 31 mm
Observations: Once we poured the water, the soil absorbed the water as it
was going down
67 Surface types of storm water runoff
Box Plot:
Data Analysis:
The runoff measured from the soil surface was 31 mm after pouring water for
44.34 seconds. The soil absorbed a lot of the water as it moved across the
surface, which explains why the runoff amount was not very high. This shows
that soil allows water to soak in instead of letting most of it flow away,
meaning the type of surface clearly affects how much runoff is produced.
Conclusion:
From this activity, we can conclude that different surfaces create
different amounts of storm water runoff. In our test, the soil surface
produced only 31 mm of runoff because it absorbed much of the water.
This suggests that natural surfaces like soil help reduce runoff, while
harder surfaces would likely create more. Overall, the experiment shows
that surface type plays an important role in how water moves through an
environment.
4/20 4.1.5 summary infrastructure
Public parks got a C+ on the 2025 Report Card because even
though they are helpful and fun places for people to play, relax, and
enjoy nature, a lot of them are old, worn out, and don’t get enough
money to stay in good shape. Many parks have broken equipment,
cracked sidewalks, rusty bathrooms, and playgrounds that need
repairs, but cities don’t always have the money to fix them. Some
neighborhoods have great parks, but others barely have any parks
at all, which makes things unfair for kids and families who want a
safe place to go outside. More people are using parks now, but the
workers and budgets haven’t grown enough to keep up, so things
get messy or damaged faster. On top of that, storms, floods, and
heat waves are happening more often, and they can ruin trails,
fields, and trees, which costs even more money to repair. Because
of all these problems old equipment, not enough funding, too
much damage, and unfair access parks are doing okay, but not
great, so they only earned a C+.
4.1.5 Reflection questions
In my community, we have some of the same problems that
show up in the national report card, like old playgrounds that
need repairs, cracked sidewalks, and parks that don’t have
enough lighting or clean bathrooms. Some places don’t even
have a park close by, so kids have to walk really far just to find
a safe place to play. To fix these issues, we could use cool and
creative ideas like solar powered lights to save money,
community clean up days where everyone helps take care of
the parks, and smart sensors that tell workers when trash
cans are full or when equipment is broken. We could also
design parks that handle flooding better by using rain gardens
and plants that soak up water. If we combine technology,
teamwork, and better planning, our parks could become
cleaner, safer, and way more fun for everyone.
Answering class question
Why is understanding infrastructure from an
urban city plan view point important?
Understanding infrastructure from an urban city
planning point of view is important because it helps
us see how roads, parks, buildings, and utilities all
connect and affect each other. It also helps cities
make smarter decisions so people can live, travel,
and stay safe more easily.
4/23 Inter change
We chose this design becauseit fits all the criteria of the instant
challenge. This interchange is safer because it uses 2 levels to
separate ramps, allowing traffic to flow without crossing opposing
lanes. The curved ramps and multiple lanes also help reduce
congestion and give drivers more time to merge smoothly.
4/27 4.15 Autonoumous summary
Summary: Roadways will need a lot of upgrades to stay
safe once autonomous vehicles are everywhere
because the cars rely on super clear information from
the environment. They need roads with bright lane lines
smooth pavement and signs that are easy for sensors
to read so the cars don’t get confused. Cities will also
have to add smart tech like traffic lights and road
systems that can talk to the vehicles and help them
avoid crashes. On top of that everything will need
strong digital protection so no one can hack into the
systems and mess with the cars or the data they use.
5 things needed: Roadways and cars can be made safer
by adding clearer lane markings, brighter lighting,
stronger digital security, smarter traffic systems, and
better vehicle sensors. These improvements help cars
understand their surroundings more accurately and
reduce the chances of crashes.
4.1.6
Autonomous: able to operate on its own without someone
controlling it.
Commercial: connected to buying, selling, or trading goods and
services.
Residential: an area meant for people to live in, with homes
instead of offices or factories.
Zoning is when a community creates rules about how land can
be used and how much of it can be built on. Zoning areas can
include places for businesses like markets and offices, as well as
places for people to live, such as houses, apartments, and
condos.
4.3.1
Sustainability means meeting today’s needs without
harming the future, guided by principles like conserving
resources, reducing waste and protecting the
environment.
Target: 11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and
affordable housing and basic services.
Indicators: 11.1.1 Proportion of urban population living in informal
settlements or inadequate housing
1. What variable(s) are being measured to monitor the target?
Percentage of urban residents living in informal settlements
Percentage of urban residents living in inadequate or unsafe housing
Quality and safety conditions of housing in urban areas
Access to basic services (such as clean water, sanitation, electricity)
2. What potential sources of information or data could be collected
to assess progress?
National and local census data on housing conditions
City housing surveys that measure overcrowding, building safety, and access to services
Government housing department reports
Urban planning and zoning records
Satellite imagery or GIS data to identify informal settlements
Community surveys about living conditions and access to basic services
4/30 4.3.2 Population notes
Similarities: All 3 maps use colors to show dense populations
within the given areas.
Differences: The national map uses large counties so the
patterns look broad and less detailed. The city map of Los
Angeles shows more variation because it uses smaller census
tracts. The neighborhood map is the most detailed, highlighting
tiny areas where population density rises sharply.
We could use heat maps, population density maps, and tree
maps together to quickly spot where people are concentrated,
where resources are lacking, and how different areas compare
so cities can make smarter planning decisions.
It’s important for a city planner to understand earlier map data
because it shows how things have changed over time so they
can make smarter decisions about what the city needs now.
4.3.2 Conclusion questions
Question 1
How might high-density development impact systems such as food/water
supply, sanitation, health care, energy, or transportation? High-density
development can put both pressure and efficiency gains on urban systems. On
one hand, more people concentrated in a small area increases demand for
essentials like food, clean water, energy, and health care.
Question 2
Why is analyzing geospatial information important in solving problems
related to population growth? population growth doesn’t occur evenly across
space. Tools from Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allow planners to map
where people live, how populations are changing, and how resources are
distributed.
Question 3
Does a quantitative measure, such as population density, adequately
predict the sustainability of a city? Why or why not? No, a quantitative
measure like population density alone does not adequately predict a city’s
sustainability. While density provides useful information about how crowded an
area is, it doesn’t capture how resources are managed or distributed.
4.3.3
Estimated impervious cover: ~85%
Predevelopment runoff: ~10% of rainfall
Developed runoff: ~85% of rainfall
Increase in runoff:
● +75 percentage points, or
● About 750% more stormwater runoff than the natural area
Nuredin Tahir & Hamza Mohamed
4.3.3
Estimated impervious cover: ~92%
Predevelopment runoff: ~10% of rainfall
Industrial area runoff: ~92% of rainfall
Increase in runoff:
● +82 percentage points, or
● About 820% more stormwater runoff than the natural condition.
Nuredin Tahir & Hamza Mohamed
Exit Ticket
What problems does a high percentage of impervious
surfaces cause for urban communities?
High impervious surface areas cause more flooding, more
pollution, hotter temperatures, weaker ecosystems, and
more stress on city infrastructure because water can’t soak
into the ground like it naturally would.
Nuredin Tahir & Hamza Mohamed
Land Goal 1: Increase and maintain natural green infrastructure—urban
forest, shrub, and meadow habitats—to support wildlife, infiltrate and clean
water, improve air quality, reduce high temperatures, and provide scenic
beauty.
Use engineered systems where natural infiltration isn’t possible: Install
planters, green roofs, or permeable surfaces in areas with limited soil, tight
space, or contamination to capture and slow stormwater effectively.
- These systems hold, filter, and release runoff more slowly, reducing
flooding, easing pressure on pipes, and improving downstream water
conditions.
- Add vegetation, coordinated plant palettes, and thoughtful design
elements to create greener, more attractive streetscapes and public
spaces.
- Clear debris, check drainage structures, refresh soil or mulch, and
support plant health to keep the infrastructure functioning as designed.
- Track performance, observe plant growth, and update maintenance
practices to ensure long‑term effectiveness and resilience.
Nuredin Tahir & Hamza Mohamed
Water Goal 1: Protect and restore natural shorelines to support healthy
aquatic life, storm buffering, and water filtration
- Adding native plants and removing hard barriers creates better habitat
for fish and other wildlife, giving them the shade, food, and shelter they
need to thrive.
- Natural materials and vegetation absorb wave energy and reduce
erosion, helping protect nearby land during storms without relying on
hard structures.
- Native shoreline plants trap sediment and absorb nutrients, keeping
pollutants out of lakes and rivers and improving overall water quality.
- Logs, coir rolls, and native plant roots hold soil in place while allowing
the shoreline to shift and adapt, reducing erosion in a more sustainable
way.
- Regular monitoring and simple upkeep keep restored shorelines stable
and healthy, helping them withstand changing conditions over time.
Nuredin Tahir & Hamza Mohamed
5/6 Improving stormwater infiltration
Stormwater infiltration can be improved by helping more
rain soak into the ground instead of running off hard
surfaces. Cities can use rain gardens bioswales green
roofs and more trees to slow water down and let it sink into
the soil. They can also replace regular pavement with
surfaces that let water pass through like permeable pavers
porous asphalt or permeable concrete. Other systems like
infiltration trenches dry wells and basins hold water for a
short time and let it soak in slowly. Healthy soil also helps
so adding compost reducing soil compaction and using
mulch makes the ground absorb more water. Directing
street water into planted areas using detention ponds and
collecting rainwater in barrels keeps extra water out of
storm drains. All of these steps lower flooding protect
nature keep sewers from getting too full and stop
wastewater plants from being overloaded.
Nuredin Tahir & Hamza Mohamed
PLTW 4.3.3 Question 2 (Quiz)
Green infrastructure would affect several connected city
systems. The stormwater system would change because
natural areas and engineered planters slow, hold, and filter
runoff reducing flooding and pressure on pipes. The
ecosystem system would gain more habitat from trees,
shrubs and meadows that support wildlife and improve air
and water quality. The public space system would become
greener through added vegetation and coordinated plant
palettes. The maintenance system would need regular
debris clearing, soil refreshing and plant health checks to
keep everything working. The monitoring system would
track performance, plant growth and long term effectiveness
to make sure the infrastructure stays resilient.