A “Safari” playground sounds like the ultimate place of enjoyment for young school kids eager to step outside for recess. But for a team of students at Mill Creek Elementary, it meant tackling a design problem.

Young engineers from the school took home the state title in the Creative Pursuits program for their innovative playground design.

The Creative Pursuit program helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by having them create or invent a product that addresses a particular dilemma. This year’s theme is “Project Playground,” and each team had the challenge of designing a new playground for their school that is “safe and accessible.”

Check out the video below for the team’s presentation.

Safari Playground Team
Brandon Jones, Jillian Newman, Katie Graham, Quincy Higbee, Star Macri

Pirate Playground Team (won Superior Ribbon)
Kyle Bird, George Shipley, Eliza Tergevorkian, Audrey Farnsworth, Ehren Reichert

Coaches
Julie Reichert, Crystal Newman, Cindy Jones, and Collette Hayes