This MEA allows students to explore the creation of a model to rank cruise ships. Students are presented with the first part of the problem and the data which includes cost, meals served, child care, and airfare. They will determine which ship will receive their highest recommendation. The second part of the task adds two ships and additional data related to time of the year. Students need to apply and test their model and make modifications as needed. All findings are submitted to the client in writing. Students may use this information to plan a family vacation researching which cruise ship they might stay in as they travel

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. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.