In this Model-Eliciting Activity (MEA), students are asked to label the properties of different balls that could be used to replace the dodge ball, in order to make the game safer. They are also given cost and profit information, and instructed to rank the balls in order from best replacement to worst. They are then provided with new information, the weight of each ball, as well as three new replacement options. They must then revise their ranking and provide reasoning.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought processes. MEAs follow a problem-based, student-centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEAs visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx