Our Own Winter Olympics

The official 2018 Winter Olympics have long been over but not so in the minds of students at The Learning Center Charter School. That’s because students studied, crafted, planned and participated in their own Olympic Games back in February.

Over the course of three weeks, students studied the history of the Olympics, studied Geography when choosing countries to represent, and got up close and personal with the science behind bobsleds as they engineered and constructed their own. The brainchild of PE teacher, Shelley Dockery, the Olympic Games engaged students so much so that many teams participated in after school work sessions.

The Olympic Games began with the running and lighting of the torch followed by a parade of athletes around the school.  Second graders took turns relaying the torch and two kids from the class that consistently display exemplary character and sportsmanship had the honor of placing the torch in the cauldron. Third graders created an Olympic ring banner that was carried behind the torch. Fourth through eighth graders divided into teams representing nine countries that proudly displayed their flags and native costumes during the parade. Kindergarten and first graders cheered and waved flags during the parade. As the parade approached the gym, each country was announced to a panel of Learning Center alumni judges who decided “Best in Show.” The entire school was present to watch the bobsled and curling competitions while iceless dancing, biathlon and speed skating competitions were performed the following day during PE classes.

“Students took real ownership of the Olympic Games,” said Dockery. “This has been the best, most productive, 100% participation STEAM PE project yet!”

The acronym, STEAM, stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Agriculture, and Math.