Teams of high school students are challenged to develop an innovative mitigation concept. The mitigation concepts are tested by the NHERI WOW on the day of the live competition.
The high school students are inspired to pursue STEM education and careers in wind engineering and be the next generation to address natural hazards and extreme weather.
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The NHERI Wall of Wind Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program engages 2 local high school teachers in learning wind engineering concepts that can be applied to middle and high school STEM curricula. The teachers spend 5-weeks during the summer at FIU engaged in research and then co-teach the Wind Engineering for STEM Teachers (WEST) workshop for 30 (6th-12th) teachers. Themes related to hurricane wind engineering and mitigation are explored, lesson plans are created, and the teachers build a fully functional wind tunnel to use in their classroom. Teachers receive Master Plan Points (MPP) and a stipend.
The NHERI Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Summer Program (10-weeks) provides research opportunities at the NHERI Wall of Wind for undergraduate college students. The NHERI REU program helps undergraduate college students experience multi-hazard engineering, hands-on, research-based projects, and are mentored by Wall of Wind researchers. The students learn about mitigating natural hazards and understanding the impact of natural hazards on society.
The Eye of the Storm (Science, Mitigation & Preparedness) free admission public education event is hosted at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery & Science (MODS). It brings together many organizations and weather experts and showcases special hands-on, interactive activities and demonstrations teaching hurricane science, mitigation, and preparedness through informal education in a public friendly science-museum environment. The NHERI Wall of Wind exhibit is prominently displayed in the museum illustrating the effects of wind on different roof shapes and showed the importance of mitigating wind damage to homes. Families learn wind engineering by experimenting with different roof shapes in the exhibit.
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More than 600 K-12 students come to the annual FIU College of Engineering and Computing to learn about the endless possibilities of pursuing a degree in engineering. Multiple schools tour the various Engineering Labs including the NHERI Wall of Wind.
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The NHERI Wall of Wind has been re-created as a museum exhibit. Exhibits have been on display at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, the Frost Science Museum in Miami, and the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS). The exhibit showcases wind engineering research and illustrates the effects of wind on different roof shapes and the importance of mitigating wind damage to homes. Families learn wind engineering by experimenting with different roof shapes in the exhibit. The exhibit brings FIU into the community and spotlights its role as a national leader in hurricane mitigation research.
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The NHERI Wall of Wind (WOW) did a media demonstration showing the effectiveness and importance of wind mitigation. WOW researchers built a small model house that on one side was fortified with hurricane shutters and a reinforced roof, and the other side was not. First, the fortified side was exposed to hurricane-wind speeds, and the structure held up as expected. Next, the structure was rotated to expose the unfortified side, and then hurricane-force winds were introduced again. The house blew apart and became flying debris, further demonstrating the importance of hurricane wind mitigation and strong building codes.
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Student-visit to WOW facilities.
Students visiting WOW during the Engineering Expo 2018.
Active Learning Class – Student Groups Solving Real World Hurricane Engineering Problems by Working in Teams and Getting Support from Undergraduate LAs
Small-scale wind tunnel that was used in Engineers on Wheels ECO Program. Left: Dr. Rolando Espinosa K-8 Center (05/17/2017) STEM Club 5th – 7th Grade. Right: St Hugh Catholic School (05/30/2017) 6th – 7 Grade
NHERI WOW EF exhibit at the Museum of Discovery & Science (MODS)
Summer Camp
Active Learning Class – Student Groups Solving Real World Hurricane Engineering Problems by Working in Teams and Getting Support from LAs
Presentation to school class and small-scale wind tunnel that was used in Engineers on Wheels ECO Program
NHERI WOW EF exhibit at the Museum of Discovery & Science (MODS)
STEM Education workshop at NHERI WOW EF
2017 FIU Engineering Expo student tour at NHERI WOW EF