Ward's® Engage Under Pressure, IBL Case

In this inquiry-based learning case, students are on a high mountain climbing adventure and need to know what weather is in store for them, building a simple device in the process to help them predict the weather.

Students are part of a team that will send a small group of climbers up a tall mountain. Isolated from modern technology, they must devise ways to predict the weather themselves, to make sure the climb will be as safe as possible. In the process, they also learn about the effects of pressure changes on the human body.

This inquiry-based learning (IBL) case is part of a series of lab activities developed in partnership with the Center of Excellence for Research, Teaching and Learning at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. It includes free access to a comprehensive professional development module available through Ward's to learn how to teach IBL cases. Cases can be tailored to your needs: cover from 2 to 3 class periods up to 7 to 10 class periods. Cases can also be customized to include all scenarios and deliverables, or jump straight to the hands-on activities; it's up to you!