Year 7
Extended
Learning
Project
Thoresby Thunder
Theme Park
The Project Challenge
Imagine that the playing fields next to Ralph Thoresby School have been sold
to be developed into a small, but exciting new theme park. You have been
asked to plan, design, and promote every aspect of the theme park. The
name has already been decided: Thoresby Thunder Theme Park, but the rest
is down to you.
Guidelines
 You have 12 weeks to complete the
project. You will then present your
projects to a panel of judges in
December.
 You can work on your own, or part of a
team (maximum of 3 people).
 You are allowed to use whatever you
like to produce your work. Think about
exciting and creative ways to complete
each task
 To improve your chances of winning
make sure you follow the instructions throughout this pack.
Scoring
 You will receive up to 10 points per subject task. 20 extra points are
available for handing work in early. 30 extra points available for:
excellent organisation, communication, creativity, originality.
 Total = 170 points
 Winners receive free theme park tickets on trips day.
Thoresby Thunder
Theme Park
The Tasks
Task 1 – Market Research – Geography
The proposed theme park will bring benefits and problems for the area both to the
environment and local people. There will be some people who are for the development
and others who are against it.
Task:
Your task is to write a letter of concern from a local resident explaining WHY they are against
the proposal. Remember to expand on the ideas that are given in the table below…
Benefits
Jobs for local people
Money for local businesses
Locals can use the theme park
Problems
Litter
Noise
Spoils the scenery
Traffic congestion
Loss of wildlife
Seasonal unemployment
(See Ms Hume if you have any queries about this task)
Task 2 – Design Research – History
Roller coasters are a key attraction in any theme park. Over the years they have become
larger, faster and scarier to appeal to adrenalin junkies from all over the world. Before
designing your own rides it is always worthwhile to look at what has been done before.
Task:
Your challenge is to research the history of roller coasters. You need to find out when the first
ride was opened, which theme park it was in and a few facts about the roller coaster (e.g.
speed, height, length, number of visitors etc.)
The following theme parks may help…
Disneyland
Alton Towers
Flamingo Land
Lightwater Valley
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
(See Mr Ward if you have any queries about this task)
Thoresby Thunder
Theme Park
Task 3 – Roller Coaster Design Research – Science
The science behind theme park rides includes ENERGY and FORCES. Without an
understanding of these key topics no theme park could exist today.
Task:
1. Use the following website to lead you through the process of creating an exciting but
safe rollercoaster – you can use your final design to help with part 4 – design ideas.
http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster/
2. List all the types of ENERGY that are involved in a roller coaster and where they are
found
3. Explain the ENERGY CHANGES (e.g. electrical energy to kinetic energy when the car
starts to move) that are involved as you go up and down the first hill.
4. The forces of GRAVITY and FRICTION are involved in rollercoasters. Explain what
gravity and friction are and where they act on rollercoasters. Label your model
(See Dr Morrell or Mr Brown if you have any queries about this task)
Thoresby Thunder
Theme Park
Task 4 – Design Ideas – Design Technology
Now that you understand a little bit more about structures, force and energy you can come
up with your own designs for a theme park ride.
Task:
Food Tech – Design a healthy snack that visitors could consume during their visit to the park
Textiles – Design a Theme Park bag that could hold prizes, memorabilia, drinks etc.
Product Design – Design the main theme park ride. Use sketches, models or both. Think
about the thrill factor, shape, colour, size, theme, structure. Don’t forget to give your ride a
name and a logo.
Remember to be creative!
Check out www.ultimaterollercoaster.com for links to some exciting new rides.
(See Mr Smith or Ms Mooney if you have any queries about this task)
Thoresby Thunder
Theme Park
Task 5 – Design Ideas – Art
The theme park will need designs for the main entrance to the park along with park logos
and posters to make the park stand out to potential customers.
Task:
1. Design a logo for your theme park – remember it is called Thoresby Thunder Theme
Park
2. Design the entrance to the park to suit your chosen theme
3. Design a poster advertising the theme park to the local community and beyond.
(See Mrs Goodrum if you have any queries about this task)
Task 6 – Promotional Leaflet – English
Now that you have designs in places and an understanding about theme parks, it’s time to
start advertising your theme park.
Task:
Design and create a leaflet or flier that focuses on persuading potential customers to visit
the park. The flier should be A5 in size and features lots of exciting things that will promote
the park to those who read it.
Use persuasive writing techniques in your writing…
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Be positive
Use repetition
Be personal
Use questions, and maybe some rhetorical questions as well.
Use feelings to push ideas
(See Mrs White if you have any queries about this task)
Thoresby Thunder
Theme Park
Task 7 – Spatial Planning – Maths
Once all the rides and facilities have been agreed the layout of the theme park needs to
be decided.
Task:
Design and plan the layout of the Theme Park using the plan on the following page. The
park should include the following…
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5-10 rides: with attention-grabbing names
Play area for small children
Petting zoo
Toilets
Cafes/Restaurants
Shops
Picnic area
Car Park
First aid area.
(See Mr McGill or Mrs Myers if you have any queries about this task)
Thoresby Thunder
Theme Park
Area Plan for the Maths Task
300m
Thoresby Thunder
Theme Park
Task 8 – Design Ethics – RE
From the previous task you will notice that there is to be a petting zoo. The council are keen
to include animals in the park in this area and also for live entertainment. The council have
asked for…
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A petting zoo with domestic animals such as rabbits and goats.
A live animal act including elephants and lions – jumping through hoops etc.
Task:
Write a report to either accept or reject the council’s requests. Use the following questions
to help you…
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Do animals have rights?
How do you think animals should be treated?
What would a religious response to animals used for entertainment be?
What are your opinions of zoos? Are there good and bad examples of zoos?
Is there a link to education and conservation?
(See Mrs O’Malley if you have any queries about this task)
Task 9 – Welcoming visitors from France – MFL
The council are keen to make this an international park and would like to support visitors
from France.
Task:
Complete one of the following…
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Create a welcome message to visitors from France. Either write a paragraph or
record a welcome message as audio in French.
Create a short tour guide for visitors from France that helps them to understand
where things like cafes/toilets etc. are located.
You can write down on paper as a leaflet or record your French pieces and then play them
back during the judging.
Mrs Cribb has a small vocab sheet available for those requiring extra help with language.
(See Mrs Cribb if you have any queries about this task)
Thoresby Thunder
Theme Park
Task 10 – Live Entertainment – Drama
The park will employ actors and dancers to provide live entertainment for the park guests as
they travel around the park.
Task:
Devise and rehearse a performance piece based on your park theme that will provide
entertainment for the park guests. Use the following bullet points to help you
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Provide a short 30 second piece
Use different, exciting characters – think about the characters used at Disneyland
What sort of a story will you tell?
What will the piece be about?
Can you make it link in with the park theme?
What costumes will the performers need to wear?
You will need to perform your work to the judges and you might also like to include costume
designs, or make your own and wear them during the performance
(See Mr Milnes if you have any queries about this task)
Task 11 – Park Info Screens - ICT
The theme park will be fitted out with large HD screens that will provide important
information across the park. These screens will be really important in setting the tone for the
theme and helping visitors find important information.
Task:
Complete as many of the following as you wish…
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Create a PowerPoint that will show important health & safety information. Think about
what needs to be considered when petting the animals? How should visitors behave
around the theme park? Specific restrictions on park rides.
Create a video or PowerPoint that uses images to scare people as they enter one of
the horror rides. What might make people jump? Can you add sound effects?
Design a phone app – what might you include? Design ideas? Present your work in
any way that you want.
(See Mr Gill if you have any queries about this task)
Thoresby Thunder
Theme Park
Task 12 – Atmospheric sounds – Music
The theme park will require music for the rides and for the queues to the rides so that the
park guests will get into the mood of each ride.
Task:
Complete one of the following…
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Compose a song using your own lyrics that will play as the park guests arrive at the
main gates. It needs to be exciting and creative. What could you say in the song that
will get the guests excited about the day ahead?
Compose some music for the queues and the rides themselves. Can you create a
soundscape that will excite the adventure riders, or scare the horror seekers? You
might like to use sound effects in your work.
You can either record your music and then play during the piece the judging stage, or you
might like to perform your piece live - it’s up to you.
(See Mr Hackshaw if you have any queries about this task)
Final tips
 Remember to follow all the instructions carefully
 You can complete as many tasks as you wish in any order, but
remember that the more tasks you successfully complete – the more
points you will be able to get.
 The ILZ will be open for year 7 to work on their projects and to ask for
help and support every _______________ after school for 1 hour. Please
see Mr Hackshaw if you would like more information.
 Remember to clearly mark your work with all of your names
Thoresby Thunder
Theme Park