How can we use shapes, measurement, and budget planning to design a fun and realistic theme park?

Project Description

In this math-focused PBL unit, students become theme park designers who use shapes, area, perimeter, and simple budgeting to plan a realistic park on grid paper. They manage the work with individual goal sheets and team task timelines, and use AI as a coach (not an answer machine) to help them brainstorm, plan, check reasoning, and improve their designs. The project is aligned with CCSS-M (area, perimeter, operations) and NGSS Engineering Design standards, and includes clear, student-friendly rubrics that assess mathematical thinking, research/AI use, and individual collaboration.

Why Use this Project?

This project weaves real project management (goals, roles, tasks, timelines) into everyday elementary math so students experience what it means to run a multi-day, collaborative design effort. By embedding CCSS and NGSS skills in a fun, authentic challenge, it transforms area, perimeter, and budgeting from isolated exercises into tools for solving a meaningful problem. The built-in AI coach prompts model healthy AI use—students must do the thinking while AI nudges them with questions, structure, and reflection. Teachers gain a ready-to-use structure with clear rubrics, templates, and routines that support differentiation and accountability. Students gain stronger mathematical reasoning, collaboration, and self-management skills, along with the confidence that they can use both human teammates and AI as partners in complex work.