Challenger's e-Mission: Operation Montserrat
Challenger's e-Mission: Operation Montserrat
On September 4, 1996, the island of Montserrat was the world's most dangerous place. Two potentially catastrophic events converged simultaneously upon this Caribbean paradise--an awakening volcano and a Category 3 hurricane.
Using the Internet, students in grades 5-10 connect to the Challenger Learning Center's Mission Control at Wheeling Jesuit University for a unique, interactive learning adventure. After completing an online application and resume, students form emergency response teams and prepare for their mission by collecting and analyzing relevant Earth science data.
On mission day, students join one of four crisis management teams--the Volcano Team, Hurricane Team, Evacuation Team or Communication Team--and use science knowledge and math skills to avert possible disaster. In a two-hour period, the Volcano and Hurricane teams rally to analyze real-time data and determine the risks to the people on the island. The analyses are then presented to the Evacuation Team to determine the rescue plan. Throughout the mission, the Communication Team is in live contact with Mission Control via video, audio and a "chat window."
For teachers, the mission and the pre-mission curriculum are a new way to introduce various science and math topics. Resources for teachers include training workshops, lesson plans, assessment materials and online support. The mission package also includes technology support to help teachers prepare their classrooms for mission day.
CONTACT: Jackie Shia, e-Mission Development Center, Challenger Learning Center at Wheeling Jesuit University, 316 Washington Ave., Wheeling, WV 26003, Phone: 304-243-4431, Email: jshia@cet.edu.