Eight people spend a month in the Mojave desert without AC – and with only four gallons of water a day. This was the premise of Drylab, an “extreme experiential learning” experience directed by Senior Sustainability Scientists Marco Janssen and Adriene Jenik.

Drylab participants – ASU students from the arts and sciences – developed clever strategies for survival in this near-future scenario. They ate locally-grown, vegan meals and used baby wipes in lieu of showers. Most importantly, though, they learned the importance of working together.

“Trying to change behavior during scarcity can be difficult,” said participant Sarra Tekola, a PhD student in the School of Sustainability. “We don’t have to work together, except in times of crisis. ... I think our society needs to practice cooperation.”