Spartanburg chapter hosts STEM Links program
CLICK HERE to view The First Tee STEM Links video, filmed at The Country Club of Spartanburg
The First Tee of Spartanburg & Cherokee Counties piloted The First Tee STEM Links program in October 2015
The First Tee debuted its STEM Links Field Guide program on October 26th at The Country Club of Spartanburg (CCS). The First Tee of Spartanburg & Cherokee Counties (TFTS&CC) was one of six chapters selected to administer the pilot program.
The program affords field trip opportunities for 5th grade students to conduct STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) experiments at partnering golf courses to learn about the rich golf course ecosystem and how golf courses sustain and conserve their environments. Topics covered in the local pilot included Agrostology, Botany, Ecology, and Hydrology.
Houston Elementary participated in the October 26th pilot with 44 fifth graders. Teachers conducted pre-field trip and post-field trip activities with their students to introduce experiment concepts and reinforce learning.
Local attorney, Rick Vieth, played a key role in enlisting support from the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association and the SC Junior Golf Foundation (SCJGF), which he chairs. SCJGF provided $25,000 funding for the STEM Links pilots administered by the Spartanburg and Aiken chapters. Vieth also facilitated meetings with TEQGames, curriculum developers, and The First Tee national, who oversaw the pilot program.
The First Tee chapters were selected as pilot locations based on the engagement of area schools participating in The First Tee National School Program. With 54 school partnerships and strong community support, The First Tee of Spartanburg & Cherokee Counties was tapped for this groundbreaking pilot opportunity.
The program affords field trip opportunities for 5th grade students to conduct STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) experiments at partnering golf courses to learn about the rich golf course ecosystem and how golf courses sustain and conserve their environments. Topics covered in the local pilot included Agrostology, Botany, Ecology, and Hydrology.
Houston Elementary participated in the October 26th pilot with 44 fifth graders. Teachers conducted pre-field trip and post-field trip activities with their students to introduce experiment concepts and reinforce learning.
Local attorney, Rick Vieth, played a key role in enlisting support from the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association and the SC Junior Golf Foundation (SCJGF), which he chairs. SCJGF provided $25,000 funding for the STEM Links pilots administered by the Spartanburg and Aiken chapters. Vieth also facilitated meetings with TEQGames, curriculum developers, and The First Tee national, who oversaw the pilot program.
The First Tee chapters were selected as pilot locations based on the engagement of area schools participating in The First Tee National School Program. With 54 school partnerships and strong community support, The First Tee of Spartanburg & Cherokee Counties was tapped for this groundbreaking pilot opportunity.