Learning About Careers
Theresa uses a cooperative-group jigsaw activity to give students an idea of careers in the amusement park industry. She used articles from the Thrill Ride curriculum.

On the Job

This activity provides an opportunity for career exploration while it introduces students to the idea of jobs on the design team: architect, engineer, researcher, and public relations.

1. Students are assigned to the heterogeneous groups they work in for Roller Coaster Design task.
2. Each person on the team chooses an "On the Job" article written by someone who works in the Amusement Park industry:
   
   Manager of an Amusement Park, Walt Davis
   Roller Coaster Engineer and Project Manager, Cynthia Emerick
   Ride Designer, Ron Toomer
   Physicist, Robert Speers
   
   
3. Each student reads the article, notes highlights, and meets in a small expert group (with those who read the same article.) They discuss the important aspects of the job and what skills are required for that job.
4. Students meet in their home groups of four and teach each other what they learned about the career.