Tasked with thinking big, fifth graders at Forest Lake Elementary School designed their own amusement parks. It was a culminating project in a geography unit, which put their newfound knowledge into practice.

Students in Katina Sullivan’s class learned about the essential components of maps, then had to incorporate those elements into their amusement park plans. Features they needed included a compass rose, a key with symbols and clearly labeled attractions. Their parks had to have at least six rides, as well as other common amenities like bathrooms, restaurants and a parking lot.

Each amusement park had a theme. The young architects were told to design as if they had unlimited resources and stretch the limits of their imaginations. Creating the “wildest and craziest” rides was encouraged, as Ms. Sullivan said, as the purpose of the assignment was to demonstrate their knowledge of geography and maps in a fun way.