Posted November 29, 2006
The big day came Wednesday for a group of Glen Ellyn School District 41 students, who presented their proposal for a Chicago Summer Olympics in 2016 to Chicago city officials. On the way to see Children and Youth Services Commissioner Mary Ellen Caron, the 20 Abraham Lincoln fourth and fifth graders practiced their presentations and tried to keep their 3-D models from getting banged around on the bus. They were nervous but confident. “We all know the city of Chicago is trying hard to win the 2016 Summer Olympics, and the students’ assignment was to take a look at the city’s proposal and see if they could do better,” said Gifted Services teacher Nancy McCaffrey. “They came up with some very good ideas.”
To develop their proposal the students worked in problem-solving teams to create a strategic approach complete with site maps, models and logistical details for managing the big event. Students used giant aerial maps to show where the 26 different venues would be, mostly along Lake Shore Drive, but also utilizing remote sites such as the Rosemont Horizon. They considered security measures, envisioning an innovative camera mounting with multiple arms and a watchtower topped by the Olympic Torch. They demonstrated financial responsibility, incorporating retail space into the plans and recommending a design for the Olympic Village that could be sold as housing after the event. And they made use of land, sea and air, laying out a grid of monorails, buses, trolleys, hydrofoils, water taxis and ferries to transport the multitudes efficiently. To figure out where the millions of visitors could stay, students first researched the existing hospitality capacity of the city, including dorm rooms available in area colleges. The final proposal envisioned a host city that maximizes its existing assets, uses innovation intelligently, meets the practical and inspirational requirements of the event, opens with a world-class ceremony that highlights Chicago culture and generally knows how to make a summer splash.
After presenting to Commissioner Caron, the group headed to Mayor Daley’s office with the hope of getting to meet with him. While the Mayor was not available, an aide assured the students that their proposal would be given to the Chicago Olympic Committee for consideration.
The effort was a practical exercise in solving real problems that aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards in Math, Social Science and Literacy, said McCaffrey, who noted it was a group effort, with support of the PTA, which donated materials, fellow staff members, and The Sidwell Company in St. Charles, which donated $1,000 of aerial maps.
