Students become teachers

Joe Ferber and Robin Greig

Education manifests itself in a variety of formats here at Trident Academy. Yesterday, I was the student, and the Middle School Science students were the teacher.

Our Middle School scholars have been studying all about Earthquakes with Mrs. Greig, and I’ve learned that when you work with Mrs. Greig, well, all kinds of things can happen. During their studies, students became especially interested in what to do in case of an earthquake.  To capitalize on this interest, Mrs. Greig had students look at the school’s earthquake section of the “Crisis Management/Emergency Information” plan, which is under review by the faculty.  Students were asked to critique, advise, and make suggestions on the plan. Needless to say they had done their “homework." Working in study groups, they read other school plans, surveyed our faculty, and researched the latest documents on earthquake safety measures. Coupled with what they have learned about the cause and effects of earthquakes, they presented a well prepared learning opportunity for the headmaster.

Among their various recommendations was to add “Hold” to our Drop and Cover plan. In other words, we need to have students drop to the floor, get under a desk, and hold on to the desks legs. If you don’t hold, they explained, the desk can move away from you. So, the “Drop, Cover, and Hold” procedure will be added to our earthquake plan.  They also suggested the need to designate a pre-planned evacuation site for after an earthquake.  It was decided that site should be in the center of our large soccer field, where there are no trees or structures that would fall on you and you would not run into hazards, i.e. down power lines, in moving to another area.

The Middle schoolers volunteered to educate the Lower and Upper school students about earthquakes and what to do during an earthquake event.  Then, they recommended having an earthquake drill. I was also informed that the faculty needs to be reminded that “three short whistles followed by a Code Red” alerts you to an earthquake.

A study I’d come across many years ago came to mind during my session with the students. The research showed that when teaching you have a 90% long-term retention rate of the material covered as compared to a 50% rate when discussing and a 10% when being lectured to. In addition to their concern for their fellow classmates and helping the community, the Middle school students had come upon one of the best ways to learn!

Yesterday’s faculty meeting agenda included an update on our Earthquake emergency plans including the recommendations from our students. Thank you Middle school students!