Using technology in multidisciplinary project-based learning with a focus on science and math
Whirling Winds introduces students to hurricane structure, history, and to the weather phenomena and conditions that underlie the formation of a hurricane. This is achieved through classroom discussions, projected Internet videos, virtual field trips, presentations and student-led online research.
Through hands-on laboratory experiments, students perform a hurricane simulation and electronically record findings, make barometers to study and analyze pressure, writing research reports in electronic form, and take an online tour with hurricane hunters who fly into hurricanes using the projector and the Internet.
During the hurricane season, actual storms are studied in real time (including the recording of latitude, longitude, pressure, temperature, wind strength and eye movement in spreadsheets and projecting the data in the classroom). Storm tracks are analyzed and projected into the future using the tablet PC and projector, and results are contrasted with follow-on actual information. Any necessary paper document image or data is incorporated to the project using the scanner.
All numerical data obtained are recorded and charted in spreadsheets, and digital cameras are used to record images of each step. Both students and teachers maintain digital journals. Project work culminates in persuasive student presentations and the development of this class website.