The fourth graders tried a new approach when completing a research project for Social Studies. This current event project was influenced by Wheaties cereal boxes highlighting inspirational athletes. The task was updating an Olympic cereal box with athletes participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics. According to Mrs. Stauffer, “I wanted to try a new way into teaching, have a little more fun, and help the students engage and participate more.”
It began by having the students initially research events that occurred in the Winter Olympics and then selecting an event that grabbed their interest. One such athlete was Auston Matthews, an Olympic hockey player chosen by Mesa F. She selected him because she found him interesting and wanted to learn more about him. Mesa stated that she really enjoyed this assignment and had fun making it [the cereal box].
This research project was developed to strengthen students’ research and design skills. Mrs. Stauffer stated that she hopes the kids had a lot of fun thinking “outside of the box” with this unique project. Thanks to projects like this, students can connect to worldwide news in their lives, even if it is through a cereal box. – By Hayden Mathiason & Miss Bohac