May 16, 2017 – On Wednesday, May 17, middle schoolers from St. Cabrini School will visit Meadow Park Golf Course in Tacoma, Wash., for hands-on environmental science activities. They’ll study soil samples, learn about putting green maintenance, and have a fun golf activity. In addition, the school is riding public transportation to Meadow Park to introduce students to using buses.
This field trip is part of First Green’s STEM program, which uses golf courses as learning labs. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. Golf course superintendents need to be highly-trained in STEM to manage their golf courses; they share this knowledge with teachers and students, showing real world applications that inspire student interest in STEM.
The activity-based format of First Green field trips allows for collaboration with community groups. For example, superintendents in nearby courses have invited groups with expertise in salmon, insects or rain gardens, to teach a learning station. At Meadow Park, Chris Goodman, General Manager and golf course superintendent, also hosts First Tee of South Puget Sound where the instructors have an active program to introduce youth to golf and teach them life skills through the game of golf. First Tee will teach the golf portion of the field trip including a brief competition and a chance to play some foot golf.
For information on observing the field trip, see details below.
DETAILS:
Location: Meadow Park Golf Course, 7108 Lakewood Dr. W., Tacoma, WA 98467
Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
CONTACT: Karen Armstead at 425-746-0809
About First Green
• First Green is an innovative environmental education outreach program using golf courses as environmental learning labs – the only program of its kind. First Green has extensive resources for golf course superintendents, including online lesson plans.
• First Green has been providing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning since 1997.
• Golf course superintendents and/or local golf course representatives host students on field trips where they test water quality, collect soil samples, identify plants, design plantings, assist in stream bed restoration and are involved in the ecology and environmental aspects of the golf course. The students are also introduced to many other aspects of golf.
A tax-exempt nonprofit, First Green was founded in the State of Washington in 1997 and is expanding internationally. For more information and to view introductory First Green videos, visit www.thefirstgreen.org.
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