School: Shawnee Mission South High School
Class: AP Language and Composition
Instructor: Lindsey McFall
Client: Overland Park, Parks and Recreation
Problem: How can we help design a public space that tells the story of a global friendship and leaves a meaningful legacy for future generations?
Summary
Students partnered with the City of Overland Park’s Parks and Recreation Department to help design a new park that commemorates the city’s longstanding sister-city relationship with a German town. Building on Shawnee Mission South’s historic student exchange program, students researched effective park signage, international symbolism, and public space design. They proposed visual concepts and written copy for park signs as well as selected meaningful items for a time capsule to be buried at the park site. Their work aimed to celebrate cultural connection and provide historical context for future visitors. Final implementation will be determined upon park completion.
Takeaways
Students gained insight into the planning process that cities use, and they had to reflect on their personal experiences to identify important pieces to add to a time capsule. They also practiced effective persuasion skills since they had to convince their classmates and city planners to approve their object for the time capsule and their proposed signage for the park.
Advice
Just be flexible! Things won’t go as planned, which is FINE!
Standards/Learning Targets
The unit met a variety of research standards, along with writing and listening/speaking. The students also met with city planners and managers.