Design the School's Cross-Country Course
In committees, students design, measure and test the school's cross-country course using the outdoor spaces. It must meet safety, accessibility and environmental criteria and offer distances for different grade levels.
How to play
- Present the challenge and the requirements: a 500–1,000 meter loop, a wide start area and a funnel finish, no dangerous crossings and no stepping on protected planted areas (3 min).
- Each group of five walks the area, sketches a proposed route on the worksheet and measures it with a measuring tape or a phone app (10 min).
- Mark each group's chosen route with cones in its area and record the final distance (6 min).
- Cross-test: each group jogs another group's course and notes strengths, hazards and whether the start allows running without pushing (10 min).
- Reasoned vote on the final course, or a combination of several, and assignment of laps by category (6 min).
Rules
- Respect plants, trees and fixtures: the course can't cross planted or protected areas.
- No section passes next to high curbs, ditches or parking areas.
- Groups work inside the school grounds and in the teacher's sight.
- During the cross-test, jog; don't race.
Variations
Easier
The teacher provides two base routes and groups pick and adjust one.
Standard
Free design with measurement and cross-test.
Harder
The group also makes a spectator map with a cheering zone, a water station and a first aid point.
Adaptations
- Wheelchair user: their group must make sure there's an accessible version of the course, and they check it by going around it.
- Visual impairment: checks with their guide whether the course markings and turns can be announced clearly.
- Autism: is in charge of measuring with the tape, a precise and structured task.
Learning goals
- Cooperatively organize a space for an endurance race.
- Apply safety, accessibility and sustainability criteria when designing a course.
- Evaluate other groups' work with reasoned arguments.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 40
- measuring tape: 3
- worksheets: 6
- tablets or phones: 6
Teacher tip
The winning course can be used for the school's real cross-country race or for an elementary school event. Take photos of the routes for students' portfolios.
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