Gold Medal Problem
By: Natasha Smith
BRONZE, SILVER, and GOLD… what place will you get?
As you can tell from the above picture, the U.S. takes home the gold when it comes to the Olympics. But have you ever wondered why they are able to take home so many medals?
In this lesson, students will discuss what effects how many medals a country receives at the Olympics. They will use data for the 2016 Olympics and calculate the percentage of medals each country received. Students will then compare and discuss the relationship between the percentage of medals each country received and its population and national wealth.
This lesson integrates Social Studies as students are looking at countries from all over the world and discussing how their different circumstances may affect their ability to receive Olympic medals. This lesson is culturally responsive as students will be critically thinking about how different countries may have advantages to winning Olympic medals and students may begin to realize that where you are from has a huge impact on your ability to medal. This lesson will also peak students interest as many of them follow the Olympics and idolize the athletes.
Extention: After comparing the data as a class, students will try and determine other factors that may have an impact on a country’s medal count. They will research and find their own data and decide whether or not they think the factor contributes to the amount of Olympic medals a country receives.
Math Standards:
Possible Social Studies Standard:
G.L.E.5.4.1: Analyzes multiple factors, compares two groups, generalizes, and connects past to present to formulate a thesis in a paper or presentation.