Theme Park Engineering
About this free Theme Park Engineering course
Theme Park Engineering is a free 8-week STEM course that goes from blueprints to blockbusters, teaching engineering through the science of roller coasters, water rides, spinning rides, and animatronics. Students go from a blank sketch to a complete theme park design, learning the physics and creativity behind the world's most legendary attractions.
The course runs in three phases: foundations of the fairground (energy and structural stability), elements of the experience (safety and buoyancy), and the high-tech spectacle (animatronics and circular motion). Every week pairs a big idea with a hands-on challenge, such as a paper roller coaster, a tallest-tower contest, the Safety Inspector Game, or a foil boat test.
Who this course is for
This course is designed for students in grades 4 through 8 and requires no engineering background. It's a great fit for summer camps, STEM clubs, and classrooms looking for a fun, project-based unit.
Course outline
- Week 1: The engineering engine. What engineers do, the main engineering fields, and starting your own theme park design.
- Week 2: Roller coaster engineering. Gravity, potential and kinetic energy, and building a paper roller coaster.
- Week 3: Ride structure and stability. Why triangles and wide bases make strong supports, plus the tallest ride tower challenge.
- Week 4: Theme park safety. How engineers inspect tracks, supports, and restraints, and the Safety Inspector Game.
- Week 5: Water ride engineering. Buoyancy and the foil boat challenge.
- Week 6: Animatronics and technology. How motors, speakers, lights, and computers bring characters to life.
- Week 7: Spinning rides and motion. Circular motion and balance in carousels and Ferris wheels.
- Week 8: Theme park design project. Presenting your full park design, from energy calculations to safety systems.
What you'll learn
- Explain energy transformations in a roller coaster
- Design stable structures using triangles and wide bases
- Describe how engineers keep rides safe
- Explain buoyancy and circular motion
- Present a complete engineering design to an audience
How long it takes
The course runs eight weeks at about 75 minutes per session, around 10 hours in total, including hands-on challenges and the final presentation.
Frequently asked questions about Theme Park Engineering
Is Theme Park Engineering really free?
Yes. Theme Park Engineering is completely free, with no fees, subscriptions, or account required. STEM for Others is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and every course in our curriculum library is free for students, families, and teachers.
What engineering fields does this course cover?
Students see mechanical, electrical, structural, and safety engineering in action, plus the robotics and computer engineering behind animatronics, all through the lens of a theme park.
How do I start the course?
Click Begin Course at the top of this page to open the full slide deck in a new tab. You can also flip through the slides embedded above. Work through one unit at a time and try the practice questions before moving on.
Do I get a certificate?
The self-paced Theme Park Engineering materials don't include an official certificate. If you're taking the course through a STEM for Others chapter program, ask your chapter leader about recognizing your completion.
Can teachers and clubs use this curriculum?
Yes. Teachers, homeschool families, libraries, and after-school clubs are welcome to use the Theme Park Engineering materials with their students at no cost. STEM for Others volunteers also teach our curriculum in partner schools and libraries. You can find a chapter near you or start one at your school.
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