In this Model Eliciting Activity, MEA, students will work together to problem solve. The students are presented with a problem in which they have to decide on a procedure for choosing the activity that should be done at a Move-a-Thon fundraiser. Students will organize data in a tally chart as well as a pictograph. In the “twist” students will be given combinations of bills representing the value of each of the activities. Students will work together to reevaluate their original procedure and determine if it should change, along with the rankings.

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 process. 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 MEA’s visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx