Dr. Lou Returns

When Dr. Lou returned from the sailing adventure he helped the students to plot the actual coordinates he sailed in the race. Knowing the location of the Gulf Stream gained him an advantage in how quickly he and the rest of the crew were able to reach Isle de Las Mujeres. Because of engine problems they did not win the race, but he stated that he won because he got to sail on an adventure and find a better way to do it.Dr. Lou and the students compared their predicted route with his actual route. The students prediction was based on the first day of the race. The difference in the actual route was minor and it was because the Gulf Stream moved to the east during the race. Dr. Lou had a computer on his boat to get up to the minute data using the sites the students had given to him as well as receiving information from a few weather sites. 


The students learned so much in the project. The learned to locate and download data then to print it on transparencies. Each group was responsible for reporting their data to the class using the transparency they had made for that purpose. The new information was used to discuss what kind of day Dr. Lou was having. Each student kept a daily log of the data. When Dr. Lou returned he was greeted with great shouts and hugs. The students listened to his explanation of his trip with complete understanding. As a teacher I was so proud of what my students had learned! Their enthusiasm convinced me that this is how all learning should be.