Hands-on experiences can take several forms. For a group of sixth-graders from Sunnyside Elementary School in Bonita, a day in early February meant getting their hands dirty at Bonita Golf Club as part of their STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) educational activities.
During the First Green field trip, students ran their hands through soil samples, calculated areas of the golf course and learned about greens and how to putt.
“It gave the students a different perspective,” said Sunnyside teacher Robyn Higginson. “I asked the kids how many had ever held a golf club before. Many of them hadn’t played golf. The students were also able to practice real-world problems. The math and science connection made (the experience) more relevant.”
Observing the field trip were golf course superintendents from around the country who were attending the Golf Industry Show in San Diego. The workshop at Bonita Golf Club gave superintendents a chance to expand community involvement and take what they learned in the Southland back to their home courses.
First Green, an environmental education outreach program using golf courses as learning labs, has been providing STEM learning since 1997. Many of the field trips include testing water quality, collecting soil samples, identifying plants, designing plantings, assisting in streambed restoration and learning about the ecology and environmental aspects of the golf course.
