Partners on a Roller Coaster Ride with Kemnay Academy’s S1 IDL Project Pitches

First year pupils in Kemnay Academy pitched the roller coaster experiences that they have been working hard to develop this term to a panel of judges that consisted of local, national, and international partners of rollercoaster design, business, and marketing.  

This Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL) project was launched by Jack Codona of Codona’s Amusement Park Aberdeen, as he posed this driving question to pupils: “How do we as roller coaster creators design and promote an exciting roller coaster?” Throughout the projects, pupils worked with each other, their teachers and engaged with industry partners as they created their roller coaster ride track, theme, merchandise, and advertising material.

 In celebration of their hard work, they then faced a panel of judges who are specialists in rollercoaster design; amusement park theming; pitching; and marketing. As each excited group of pupils entered the pitching room, the atmosphere was electric. Our partners shared in their hard work and asked questions which encouraged our pupils to share their enthusiasm and knowledge of their target audience; their design; merchandise; and overall themed experience. Thank you to our fabulous judges: Elizabeth Pirrie, Iona Jost and Jimmy, Pamela Cumming and Sireen Adwan.

We are so grateful to our partners who have committed their time and shared their expertise and experience with our pupils in Kemnay Academy. This inspires our next generation of entrepreneurs, engineers, designers, and creators. It is wonderful to have high quality, meaningful engagement from those who really know the amusement park industry, the mysteries of marketing, and the power of a perfect pitch. Thank you.

Thanks also to our inspiring and committed teachers who design our IDL experiences, support and challenge our pupils to be the very best that they can be, and give pupils the freedom to express and explore their own ideas and make the project their own. Every pupil exited the judging room having pitched proudly and with passion. So, ‘As rollercoaster creators, how could you design and promote an exciting rollercoaster?' and what would your theme be?!