In a creative and inspiring project that brought mathematics to life, seventh-grade students at Richmond Avenue School discovered that numbers and equations aren’t confined to textbooks — they’re woven into the fabric of the Atlantic City skyline.
Mathematics teacher Shane Nugent led his students on an ambitious journey to build scale models of some of Atlantic City’s most iconic structures. The project, in part, pays tribute to former Richmond Avenue School mathematics teacher Gary Jerue, who died in 2019. It served not only as a lesson in geometry and proportional reasoning but also as a celebration of the architectural and cultural significance of local landmarks.
“The kids select what they want to do, and they get to invest as much as they want,” said Nugent. “They build it, and then they do a presentation.”
Among the structures recreated this year were the majestic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, the sleek Harrah’s Atlantic City, the Golden Nugget Atlantic City Hotel, Casino, and Marina, the towering Club Wyndham Skyline Tower, the vibrant Tropicana Atlantic City, and the solemn World War I Memorial.
From Left to Right: Lan Yin Nguyen, Pier Islam, Macy Burroughs
In previous years, students have built models of the Borgata, the Claridge, and other local landmarks.
“This project is more than just math — it’s a way for students to see how the concepts they learn in class apply to the real world,” Nugent said. “By building these models, they gain a hands-on understanding of scale, measurement, and design.”
For many students, the project opened their eyes to the presence of math in everyday life.
Seventh graders Rahul Bhatt and Thomas Sprouse built the Golden Nugget. “I really realized math is everywhere when we were doing the light show on the Golden Nugget,” Sprouse said. “It was tough getting that light show right, and if we hadn’t done the measurements correctly, the windows would have been very hard to do.”
From Left to Right: Rahul Bhatt and Thomas Sprouse
While building their models, students also explored the history and culture of Atlantic City — and learned about themselves, their classmates, and the collaborative process.
Sifa Samin, Weijie Chen and Tahmid Sajid built the South Jersey Gas building. “I can get really, really frustrated if people don’t do what I ask,” said Samin.
From Left to Right: Sifa Samin, Weijie Chen and Tahmid Sajid
Sprouse said the project was fun but required tremendous attention to detail. “We redid the sign five times,” he said. “You can’t rush any of the work.” Bhatt added that he learned an unexpected lesson. “I learned not to get sick, because I couldn’t do anything when I was sick,” he said.
Students worked from December through February. The process involved detailed research on each structure’s dimensions and architectural features. They used tools like Google Earth to take measurements, then calculated ratios and dimensions to build their models to scale — a task that required both precision and teamwork.
Naifa Ahad, Daisy (Hernandez) Nava, and Janissa Stokelin built a detailed model of Boardwalk Hall. Their key takeaway? “Use your time wisely,” said Nava.
From Left to Right: Naifa Ahad, Daisy (Hernandez) Nava, and Janissa Stokelin
From the intricate details of Boardwalk Hall’s façade to the sleek lines of the Club Wyndham Skyline Tower, the students demonstrated creativity and mathematical skill.
Peter-Tin Nguyen, Ayush Dasgupta, Caleb Morales, and Ishfaq Madiha worked together on the Wyndham Skyline Tower.
From Left to Right: Peter-Tin Nguyen, Ayush Dasgupta, Caleb Morales, and Ishfaq Madi
“You have to be patient,” said Madiha. “Don’t rush, and make sure the details are fine,” added Dasgupta. “The little details can make a big difference.”
Laikeisha Romelus, Camilia Ortiz-Perla, and Johanna Avila collaborated on the Tropicana model. “Work cautiously,” said Romelus. “Painting can be more complicated than expected.”
From Left to Right: Laikeisha Romelus, Camilia Ortiz-Perla, and Johanna Avila
Although every group did well, many students acknowledged they could have performed even better with more focus. Anika Arifa, Raita Jabin and Samina Kamal built the World War I Memorial. “You have to work together to make your project better,” Jabin said.
The completed models were first displayed in the school lobby and later moved to the media center, where they drew admiration from peers and teachers alike. The display stands as a testament to the students’ hard work and a vivid reminder that math is not just an abstract concept but a vital tool shaping the world around us.
That’s the message Jerue sought to convey when he first started the project in 2019 before passing away later that year, Richmond Avenue School Principal Shontai Harris said. “Math is all around us — even in the buildings,” Harris said. “Dr. Jerue started it. It keeps his memory alive.”
Richmond Avenue School’s seventh-grade modeling project has become a highlight of the academic year, blending education with creativity and community pride. This year’s focus on Atlantic City’s landmarks deepened students’ connection to their city while reinforcing their
understanding of mathematics. As Nugent’s students proved, math truly is everywhere — in familiar towers, bustling casinos, and even in the quiet dignity of a war memorial.
To see more photos from the scale model project, please click the link to enjoy our gallery: https://photos.app.goo.gl/1qVBodnAUbNXDbhS7
