It's Oil In The Game...

Slick is an interactive computer simulation based on the conservation game of the same name. It is designed to enable students of various ages and abilities to investigate the methods of dealing with oil pollution around the fictional coastal town of Inverlochen.

For advanced students it could form the basis of an examination into deci sion making in the modern world, or an introduction to logical thinking. For top juniors it could be the centrepiece of a project on oil and pollution, giving an introduction to simple map reading.

Initially a map appears with the title of the program. Then the map reappears together with a key of the various features. The whole of the gra phics are produced in Mode 7 (teletext mode) and are excellent.

This is followed by a brief introduction and details of the methods available to combat an oil spillage from a tanker, such as booms and dispersants, with different costs for each. Further details are provided on data sheets which can be copied for class use.

A total of £5,000 can be allocated between the methods. The pupil is then presented with a 100 tonne oil spillage which has to be dealt with.

The initial map co-ordinates of the slick are given on the screen, together with windspeed and direction. The student has to estimate the new posi tion of the oil slick before any other choices can be made.

If the estimate is correct, then various options are open depending upon the methods of dispersal chosen. For example, a tug may be loaded with dispersant units, or booms may be moved to protect sections of the coast.

There are various conditions attached to the options. For example, only two dispersant units can be loaded at a time before the next slick position has to be estimated.

To make things a little more difficult, a clock is displayed on the screen and unless moves are made within a certain time limit the message "Time-up" is given.

The slick moves slowly towards the coastline and each method takes a certain time to implement (times are given in the data sheets).

It is impossible to deal with all of the oil and eventually the message "Oil Ashore" is displayed, followed by a detailed breakdown of the score achieved.

After discussion of the score the pupils can then select from the menu one of several options and repeat the game, leave the program, or make a copy of the program.

The program is supplied on tape with copies at 1200 and 300 baud. A teachers' guide and copies of the brief ing sheet, data sheets and map are also provided.

All written materials and the program may be copied for use by a class of students and a sheet of program notes is also provided with instructions on how to use the pro gram with a Model A machine or with a disc based system.

Mike Shaw