LIBERTY, NY — History, mathematics and global learning were brought to life for fifth- and sixth-grade students at Liberty Middle School (LMS) recently, by continuing a classroom tradition introduced nearly three decades ago during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. 

When LMS math teacher Danielle Cummins was a fifth-grade student at Duggan Elementary School in the Monticello Central School District, her teacher, Michael Cordisco, created an engaging, project-based learning experience centered on the Winter Olympics. Each day, students predicted which countries would medal in upcoming events by placing a clip labeled with their chosen country onto a coffee can. The following day, the class tracked actual medal counts on a large bar graph and analyzed the results together.

The project not only strengthened students’ understanding of data, graphing and probability, but also deepened their knowledge of countries around the world—a key component of the social studies curriculum. The combination of real-world events, friendly competition and hands-on learning left a lasting impression on future math teacher Cummins.

This year, Cummins and social studies teacher Nicole Gabay recreated that same excitement in their classrooms. 

“This project was incredibly meaningful to me because it allowed me to share a lesson I loved as a fifth-grader with my own fifth- and sixth-grade students,” Cummins said.

During social studies, students researched participating countries and learned about Olympic events before making their medal predictions. In math, students independently tracked medal counts on their own bar graphs, applying grade-level skills in data collection, representation, and analysis.

“I enjoyed our Olympic project because I liked graphing the medal count,” fifth-grader Avianna Gibbs said.

The highlight of the experience was the opportunity for students to earn authentic Olympic pins for correct predictions, the students said. 

Cordisco, Cummins’ teacher, mailed a package containing more than 100 pins he had collected over many Winter Olympic years. Students selected pins, celebrated their successes, and even traded pins with classmates—fostering collaboration, sportsmanship and a strong sense of classroom community.

“It was cool that we got to learn the history of the Olympics in a fun way,” fifth-grader Brantley Olivo said. “Thank you, Mr. Cordisco!”

The cross-curricular project exemplifies the power of project-based learning. Gabay and Cummins, with their teacher assistants Lorraine Kelder and Jaqueline Gieger, respectively, said they are proud to continue a tradition that not only enhances academic learning but also connects generations of students through shared experiences.

“It’s a reminder of the lasting impact a great teacher can have—not just on academic growth, but on the future paths of their students,” Cummins said. “I offer a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Cordisco for instilling a love of learning in his students and for continuing to share his generosity and passion with future generations.”