A Hands-On Learning Experience with a Lasting Impact: Maritime Academy Students Install Weather Instrument Shelters

The talented students in Hampton High School’s Maritime Academy gained practical experience tackling a real-world construction project while making a difference in the local community and beyond. Partnering with the National Institute of Aerospace’s Center for Integrative STEM Education (NIA-CISE), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE), the Maritime students installed weather instrument shelters at schools within the school division. Under the leadership of Connor Dunn (CTE teacher and Maritime Academy lead) and Tina Kerby (academy coach), the students have played a crucial role in supporting an international database of atmospheric information and increasing opportunities for relevant and engaging science instruction in Hampton City Schools (HCS). Maritime Academy students Sean Chikwendu, Kameron Corbin, Alexander Cruz, Sulejman Fejzulla, Remon Graham, Josiyah Granum, Ayanna Johnson, Sedric Jones, Breana Litmon, Kevin Ramos-Miller, Sakari Morgan, Aatiyanna Rankin, and Malik Richardson took on the challenge as their project-based learning experience for the 2024-2025 school year. Corbin and Fejzulla did a phenomenal job representing the team. Their presentation at the Hampton High School PBL Showcase earned the team second place and a coveted slot in the Community Showcase held on March 29.  

How did this innovative project come to life? It all began with a generous grant from the Coastal Virginia STEM Hub to the NIA-CISE. A portion of the grant funding paid for the construction of the instrument shelters and the purchase of weather equipment and installation materials for HCS (more than $12,000). The problem that arose was how to get the instrument shelters installed so that HCS teachers could begin integrating atmospheric data collection immediately after receiving training. HCS STEM teacher specialist and NIA-CISE educator in residence Betsy McAllister reached out to Dunn and Kerby and the rest is history.  

The Maritime Academy students withstood cold temperatures and weather-related delays over a period of three months, installing the last three shelters at Asbury Elementary School, Kilgore Gifted Center, and Aberdeen Elementary School on April 16.  The students’ efforts were not just about installing structures - they were about honing their skills while helping to grow scientifically literature HCS graduates. 

“Learning how to use a drill safely and properly to install [the shelters]” was impactful for Alexander Cruz. Sulejman Fejzulla appreciated the opportunity to learn outside the classroom while helping the community. Fejzulla articulated that he hopes his work, and that of his classmates, will have a lasting impact by “providing hands-on learning experiences for other HCS students.”

To learn more about the project, please take time to view the PEG TV produced video:  https://youtu.be/Cx9Gd4-KVCM?si=GlsQz3us8x9lb4oW.