Theme Park Makes Tech (and Other) Careers Fun!

Any chance you'll be stopping near Sunrise, Florida with the kids anytime this summer? Just outside of Fort Lauderdale, it's the site of Wannado City, billed as the first role-playing indoor theme park where kids can explore all kinds of grown-up careers.

Motorola has announced the opening of its M-Lab in the 140,000 square-foot park at Sawgrass Mills (think three football fields). Designed mainly for kids ages 8-12, the M-Lab is a simulated scientific laboratory, where "M-Ventors" solve problems using technology, teamwork, and innovation.

Inventors in the M-Lab are one of about 120 roles kids can play in the theme park, where they try out all kinds of jobs, from actors, firefighters, archaeologists, doctors, and news reporters.

All this role playing better be fun because it's not cheap. Tickets are $29.95 for kids ages 2 - 14, though discounts are offered for group sales for school groups, birthday parties, etc. It's an interesting concept, but I'm sure my kids would opt for lots of roller coasters over role playing if a theme park makes it into our summer lineup.