Experience a Cascadia megaquake with this video game

Portland Public Schools Lose Students

Enrollment in Portland Public Schools has dropped 9.5% since the fall of 2019 — compared with a 6% decline for the state’s public schools overall. Fewer students means less funding, which adds to PPS’s budget problems for next fall. Declining birth rates, families moving out of state, an increase in homeschooling and private school enrollment, have all contributed.

• Related: In contrast, North Clackamas and David Douglas had more students this year, and Tigard-Tualatin, West Linn-Wilsonville, and Centennial stayed about the same. [Oregonian]

A Video Game to Prep for the ‘Big One’

A Lewis & Clark College professor has developed a free online video game to prepare for a massive Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. It’s like a modern version of “Oregon Trail”: easy to die and fun for learning survival skills. In “Cascadia 9.0.,” you have to drain your water heater and unplug your gas lines to avoid dehydration and death by explosion. Dad jokes and hipster characters keep it light, with the aim of educating people not already prepped for disaster. [Portland Monthly]

• Related: Learn how to prepare for the big one. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
• Or just play the game. [Cascadia 9.0]

Columbia Sportswear Material on Moon

The first U.S. lunar landing in 50 years included material developed by Oregon-based Columbia Sportswear. Columbia lines its jackets to keep heat in, and that same material proved useful for insulating the lunar lander. [KGW]

Where To Throw Your Next Birthday Party

Planning a birthday celebration can feel like a lot of work: it can be hard to pin down a “what” and “where.” Resident fun expert (and “The Portland Book of Dates” author / "We Can't Print This” podcast co-host) Eden Dawn lays out incredible birthday options for everyone, whether you’re looking for a chill gathering or a giant blowout.