Boldparkia is a CHESSmaster's collaborative project, the materialization of an approach to literacy that used mentor texts as the inspiration for a group of young authors and illustrators. Reading Deborah Abela's Grimsdon and New City challenged students to think about a dystopian future and explore creative writing techniques. While exploring this theme, Lance Balchin's books Mechanica and Aquatica encouraged further thought and a diversity in creative techniques. This literature facilitated the student's thinking about their world; a creative lens to investigate future possibilities. The student's creatures represented in Boldparkia have developed through their careful and timely consideration. Their creative literature has been reinforced by their works of art, including their constructed models, illustrations and their use of digital photo-manipulation software.
Boldparkia is a representation of project-based learning, where the children were engaged right through to the publishing process.