National Geography Standards: 1, 3

Show-Me Content Standards: SS 5, SS 6, CA 3, CA 6

Show-Me Performance Goals: 1.2, 1.8, 1.10, 4.1, 4.5

Preview of Main Ideas
This project features geography as a decision making tool. Students serve as geographic consultants to locate the best location for a net theme park celebrating the Caribbean's colorful history. Students must consider interactions between environment, culture, politics, and economic factors. The only way to keep it in perspective is spatial thinking.

Connection With the Curriculum
Teachers can use this small group lesson to teach Caribbean regional geography, how physical systems affect the human activities in different locations, and how geography can serve as an important decision making aid.

Teaching Level: Grades 6 -12

Geographic Themes: Place, Region, Human/Environmental Interactions

Materials
-Research materials such as encyclopedias, atlases, wall maps, almanacs, books, and on-line resources with information about the Caribbean region
- Copies of student handout for each group

Objectives
Students are expected to:
- Discover and collect information relevant to selecting a profitable site for a theme park
- Cooperatively contribute to the efforts of their groups
- Present findings to an imaginary board of directors responsible for making a final location decision

Suggestions for Teaching the Lesson

OPENING THE LESSON
Ask students to tell about some things they have purchased or have been given that turned out to be less than they had expected. Why were they disappointed? Could better research beforehand have helped avoid the disappointment?

Now imagine the problem on a grand sale. Suppose you were investing millions! Draw a crude Mickey Mouse outline on the board. Relate how the Disney corporation sank millions into EuroDisney in France, only to be met with record losses. But this time they aren't taking any chances. They're hiring you to find all the things that could go wrong on their next project beforehand!

DEVELOPING THE LESSON
Divide students into small groups appropriate to the dynamics of your class and the research material available. Give each group a different island in the Caribbean to research, along with a student instruction sheet. Their job is to find the most practical site on the island for a theme park, then present an honest appraisal of its strengths and weaknesses to the board of directors. Visual aids such as maps, flags, charts, etc. may be used. Stress that their goal is NOT to "sell" their island, but rather to be realistic about its practicality. If it is less than ideal, the directors need to know about it. They will be much more thankful to a group that helps them avoid foolishly losing money than a group which persuades them to invest in a location which will be unsuccessful.

CONCLUDING THE LESSON
Allow students to have a period of time which, for your class, is reasonable to locate information, plan a presentation, and construct all needed props and audio-visuals. Then have students present their recommendations. Enlist students in deciding which locations are most promising. Try to arrive at a group consensus.

EXTENDING THE LESSON
You may want to consider a more detailed examination of the top contenders. The exact location within a specific island or chain may be decided using similar methods. Students could role play competing islanders presenting "pitches" for their islands. A multimedia version of any of these presentations could also be considered.

ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING
In assessing student work, the following should be considered:

Depth and thoroughness of research
Accuracy of research
Quality and effectiveness of presentation
Awareness of geographic principles underlying recommendations

Site Selection Associates Inc.

We'll Tell You Where To Go!
1122 S. Foresight
Orlando, FL 32820-0000

To All Consultants:

This could be our biggest account ever! The Big Mouser has hired our firm to assist in the selection of its latest theme park, "Pirates of the Caribbean." We will need the research and creative talents of all our staff to find the most suitable location. Each work group will be asked to thoroughly research the advantages and disadvantages of a Caribbean country. Be professional; this is not a contest to have "your" island selected. Our job is to analyze, using our geographic, economic, scientific, historical, and cultural backgrounds to give investors sound advice. Spot the opportunities and foresee the problems. Remember, our reputation for accuracy and wisdom is our most valuable asset!

Each project group will present its findings to the Board of Directors at the next meeting. Gather all the information available and use it to decide your island's suitability. Make sure you consider the following points, among your many others:

Are the natives friendly toward tourists in general or Americans in particular?
What language and cultural difficulties need to be anticipated?
Can food for concession stands be grown locally, or must it be imported?
What are the risks of natural disasters on this island?
Are the local economy and the local government stable?
Are roads, airports, banks, hospitals, water, and sewer lines already in place?
How will distance from the United States affect transportation costs?
Is there a history of piracy or other "colorful" events in the area?
Is the climate suitable for tourism year-round, or just during certain seasons?
Will the government be friendly toward our government and our company?
Will local labor wages be cheaper than other locations in the region?
Is there a ready pool of trainable labor?
Are the locally produced foods agreeable to American tastes?
Is crime bad enough to scare off tourists or increase security expenses?
How expensive will the land be? (Huge amounts will be needed)
Will our project cause any ecological damage?