Amusement Park Design

The Endocrine Amusement Park

Students will be creating, designing, and building an amusement park attraction as a metaphor for a part of the Endocrine system. All attractions will be put together to create a model of our Endocrine Amusement Park!

what is a metaphor?

A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn't literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison.

metaphor examples

I could eat a horse

Means that you are really hungry, not that you would actually eat a horse.

they have a heart of gold

They have a good heart, they are trustworthy and caring. Their heart is not actually made of gold.

don't cut corners

Don't do something poorly just to save time or money. It doesn't mean that you are cutting the corners off of something.

Metaphor for Endocrine System Example

If the Endocrine system were a Starbucks Coffee shop, these are some examples of metaphors we could use...

Hypothalamus is the manager

The hypothalamus tells the pineal and pituitary glands what to do, how much hormone to release, and when to stop. Just like a manager tells staff at Starbucks.

Pituitary is the barista

The pituitary gland needs to make a wide variety of hormones for many different body functions. Just like a barista has to make many different drinks for the customers based on what they want and need.

hormones are the drinks

Hormones provide the different parts of our body with the right information to help us get what we need, maintain balance in our bodies, and stay healthy. The drinks people order provide information and nutrients to different parts of their body.

what to do

After students put together their portfolios for Part I of their Inquiry Project, and write their reflections about the artifacts they chose, they can begin working on Part II, the Endocrine Amusement Park.

Students must choose one element of the Endocrine system; a gland, a hormone, etc. and think deeply about how they might relate it to an element at an amusement park.

Once students have their idea and can explain the metaphor, they can begin designing their amusement park attraction with materials in class, as well as things brought from home. The Park will be be built from a cardboard base and so will be constructed mostly with paper products. Recycled items are strongly encouraged.

Students then must write a reflection which explains their metaphor and why they chose to create this particular attraction and this part of the endocrine system. Their attraction and reflection will be on display in our amusement park model. All families will be able to see the creation at our Learning Showcase.