In MIT course 12.000, also known as Mission 2008 and Solving Complex Problems, it is my goal to find a way to approach the problematic situation arising in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. As one of the last remaing pristine environments on the planet, the islands are in danger of irreversible harm due to high tourism traffic, over-use of resources, and political struggle. The class is given three objectives to focus on in order to find a solution to the complex problems in the Galapagos.
Objective 1: Develop a preservation system that builds on the strategies used by the Galapagos National Park and Galapagos Marine Reserve and acts as an internationally funded and managed biopreserve.
Objective 2: Establish a network of sensors around the islands and surrounding waters to monitor ecosystem processes.
Objective 3: Design and implement a "village" for inhabitants and visitors that will have little impact on the island's ecosystem.
My team, Iguanas 4 is trying to solve these problems by following the plan outlined below:
Step 1: Research - Research general information about the islands and issues affecting our island, San Cristobal.
Step 2: Compile - Using the research done by individuals, the team will compile our knowledge with the goal of building a comprehensive picture of what the situation in the Galapagos is and what we will need to overcome in order to achieve our goals.
Step 3: Problem Solving - With all of our information on San Cristobal and the rest of the Galapagos, we can begin to formulate solutions as prescribed by our assigned objectives.
Step 4: Final Plan - Our final plan will be posted on the team website, a plan that can be built upon by other teams and experts who may use the information.
MIT
Course 12.000
Created 10/13/04