Quick thinking and a playful attitude were in order when freshmen enrolled in the tech-prep program at Lincoln-Way High School recently staged their own olympics with an academic twist.
Modeling contests after the ancient Greek games they studied in history classes, students designed competitions to encompass the curriculum and threw in a couple of games just for fun.
The tech-prep program is a college preparatory curriculum with an emphasis on career-oriented mentoring and technology.
Carrying flags from make-believe countries with names such as Tekbat, Yurfka and Fruitopia, teams competed in a series of events. There was everything from a “Jeopardy”-style contest in which students had to ring bells to answer questions on mathematics, science, history, technology and English, to group problem solving to pie-eating and egg-rolling contests.
A fast modem was essential in the technology competition. Students surfed the Internet to find answers to questions, such as the name of William Shakespeare’s theater and the date the transistor was invented.
A physical fitness competition called for agility and athleticism, especially on the obstacle course.
“You had to have a lot of coordination to do that,” said Charlie Morzuch, 14, of New Lenox.
Students had to seek donations for prizes and take a vote on what kind of prizes to offer, Morzuch said.
“This is pretty much a project of their own,” said English teacher Sherri Kurzczewski. “They did the research.”
The kids outlined the rules and topics in English class and drew up a budget in math class, she said. Letters requesting permission to hold the olympics and the use of various rooms were written in business classes.
Math teacher Nancy Lagger said the variety of subject matter and activity emphasized the goals of the tech-prep curriculum, such as a well-rounded viewpoint and teamwork.
Bethaney Graf, 14, of New Lenox, her face covered in chocolate following a pie-eating bout, learned a lot about good sportsmanship as well.
“It’s a noble thing to do,” she said, wiping the sweet stuff from her chin.