We are very excited too offer our second season of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Summer Camp! Last year, we conducted fun and engaging STEM experiences and created a hands-on learning opportunity for our participants. This year, we are conducting a wide array of experiments and learning how we can apply STEM concepts to the game of golf. The participants will be able to apply the lessons and skills we discuss during STEM Camp to their future golf endeavors. Some of the things on our agenda to tackle this year are as follows:
Golf Course Mapping Day
- Our kids will learn about topography and how it relates to golf
- We will talk about elevation changes and geometric scaling so that we can attempt creating a course map of The Hill Course
- We will also discuss the idea of contour lines which help us make contour intervals.
- Lastly, we will go over measuring distances on the course.
- The combination of these things will allow us to create course maps, similar to the ones found in golf course yardage books and used by professional golfers and their caddies.
Golf Course Maintenance Day
- Our kids will learn about what goes into maintaining and caring for a golf course
- We will use and interact with some of the tools that superintendents use in order to keep our golf courses in great shape
- We will talk about rolling resistance and how that affects the speed that our putts
- The kids will also get to see what a Stimp Meter does and how it measures green speed as well as do an experiment about variables affecting green speed
Simulator Day
- We will use an indoor simulator to talk about the various factors that relate to ball flight
- We will introduce side angle and side spin as it relates to the golf swing
- We will use mathematics to calculate various golf swing measurements such as the Smash Factor
COR (Coefficient of Restitution) Day
- We will talk about the transfer of kinetic energy and the cause and effect relationship between our swing and the golf ball
- We will do an experiment with golf ball temperatures to test how outside conditions can affect the flight of our golf ball and by how much they are affected.
- We will also continue our conversation about ball spin and ball flight from the simulator day and introduce new concepts such as the Magnus effect which details why a ball can change trajectory mid-flight.
As you can see, we have a lot to cover in the four days of the STEM camp. We have taken some of the successes of STEM camp last year and combined them with some new ideas to provide a unique experience for the kids who sign up! We are so excited to bring back STEM camp for the Summer of 2018!
