Da Vinci records local earthquake, featured on two Chicago news channels

Thanks to a seismograph in his classroom, Da Vinci Academy middle school science teacher Rod Allen is able to provide students with a first-hand understanding of earthquakes.  When an early morning earthquake hit the local suburban area on February 10th, Mr. Allen's classroom recorded it all.

Ed Curran of CBS 2 Chicago contacted Mr. Allen and asked for images of Da Vinci's earthquake reading.  Mr. Curran featured Da Vinci in a report during the 11:00 AM newscast, which can be viewed here.  Mr. Curran and a camerawoman named Lana visited Da Vinci in the afternoon to speak with Mr. Allen and the seventh grade class about how the first-hand data is used to educate students about earthquakes.  The students also jumped on the floor together to demonstrate how the instrument records ground vibrations.  A longer segment about the school aired during the 6:00 PM newscast, which can be viewed here.

Mr. Curran also posted more information on his CBS 2 Tech Blog.

ABC 7 also visited the school and interviewed Mr. Allen for a story that aired during the 10:00 PM news.  The piece can be viewed here, with Mr. Allen appearing between 1:08 and 1:30 of the video.

Mr. Allen also recorded the recent earthquake in Haiti, so the topic has been fresh on students's minds. Just last week, Da Vinci welcomed Dr. Mildred Olivier, who spoke to students about her Haitian heritage and experience helping earthquake victims.

Ed Curran of CBS 2 Chicago interviews Mr. Allen as the seventh grade class looks on



Mr. Allen and the seventh graders pose with Ed Curran and camerawoman Lana