An avian flu pandemic has killed off the human population except for 13 survivors who take shelter in an underground bunker. However, the bunker can only support 4 people long-term. The group must decide which 4 individuals will stay based on their skills and which 8 will be sacrificed so that resources last 2 years until the virus passes. They consider the occupations and abilities of each person to argue for who has the best chance of ensuring survival.

1. Survival 101 ... Who Makes the Cut?
The Avian Flu has just wiped out the entire planet’s population, except for 13
people who find themselves to be the only people left on the earth. They
manage to all make it to a safe bunker. In order to outlive the virus, they need
to survive 2 years. Only 4 can be accommodated in the bunker. Eight will have to
be expelled because there are not enough resources for all of them to survive.
If all stay, resources will sustain them for a maximum period of six months.
In the

bunker, there are the following facilities:
sewage system water
seeds
some clothes
a few books
some medical facilities but no operating material a greenhouse
Explain who you think should live, and present your case to the rest of the
group. Argue for their life unless you want to sacrifice them for the others. Listen
to the arguments from the rest of your group as well, and challenge them to
define their positions.
1. scientist
2. priest
3. married couple who are hippies and drug addicts
4. a single pregnant woman with a 5 year old girl
5. a army officer who has mental instability of some sort but is useful
nonetheless
6. an elderly woman
7. a disabled person
8. lawyer
9. lazy welfare dependent
10.doctor
11.university professor
It is possible to make connections and describe dependencies between select
individual domains. There may not be clear links between all domains, but with

2. some deep and creative (aka “critical!”) thinking, one can draw several
connections.
WORKSHEET: Who Will Survive
Group Number:
Name: Name: Name: Name: Name:
Date:
Which four individuals should stay and survive, AND WHY:
Person: doctor
Reason for staying: medical experience
Person: scientist
Reason for staying: critical thinking expertise and knowledge
Person: military officer
Reason for staying: authority and survival expertise
Person: professor
Reason for staying: knowledge and critical think expertise
Why were the others left to die?
Person: priest
Reason for sacrificing: does not serve a survival purpose
Person: married couple who are addicted to drugs
Reason for sacrificing: their drug addiction may conflict with survival
Person: pregnant women with 5 year old
Reason for sacrificing: The pregnant women will take up more supplies and the child
serves no purpose
Person: elderly women
Reason for sacrificing: she will die soon
Person: disabled person
Reason for sacrificing: serves no purpose to survival and will be a burden
Person: lawyer
Reason for sacrificing: serves no survival purpose no need for law expertise

3. Person: lazy welfare dependent
Reason for sacrificing: they are lazy and serve no survival purpose
Person:
Reason for sacrificing:
Person:
Reason for sacrificing
Signature: Signature: Signature: Signature: Signature: