Initial ideas
create a Mesoamerican theme park, students create theme park layout and design reflection mayan aztec and incan cultures where rides and monuments depict leaders and landmarks and local food---students will host a carnival, with games like Lotería reflecting mayan characters, temples and astronomy, a cacao or history of chocolate station
A "Mesoamerica amusement park" project for a 7th-grade class could involve creating a theme park based on ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, with different "zones" or rides inspired by cultures like the Maya, Aztec, or Inca. Projects can integrate various subjects, such as designing rides based on historical sites, creating "social class" dining experiences reflecting society's structure, or even a STEM challenge to build a "chinampa" (floating garden).
Project ideas
Theme zones and rides:
Design specific areas or rides based on the architecture, mythology, and daily life of civilizations like the Maya, Aztec, or Inca.
Create a roller coaster with seats colored to represent the social hierarchy, like the Aztec social classes (slaves, farmers, warriors, nobles, etc.).
Cultural and social experiences:
Develop a restaurant with different dining "class" deals, where the price of the meal determines the level of service and seating, mirroring the social structure of a chosen civilization.
STEM and technology challenges:
Floating Gardens: Use STEM skills to design and build a model of an Aztec "chinampa" (floating garden) that can support weight in water.
Mesoamerican Calendar: Design a Mesoamerican calendar with your own symbols to code a message about the future, which can then be exchanged with other groups to decipher.
Business and marketing:
Develop a name and a detailed plan for the park, including the hours, dates of operation, and policies, and then use this information to answer probability questions (e.g., "What is the probability that the park will be open on a Tuesday in May?").
What to include in your project
A map of the park: Show the different zones and the locations of rides, restaurants, and other attractions.
Details on each attraction: Describe the theme, how it works, and how it relates to Mesoamerican history or culture.
Historical accuracy: Research and incorporate accurate details about the civilizations you are featuring.
Creative and engaging elements: Make it fun! Use colors, music, and interactive elements to bring your theme park to life.