Students Learn Math, Science By Creating A Mini Golf Course
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Just because school is out, doesn't mean students have to stop learning.
A first-of-its-kind camp wrapped up in North Minneapolis this week.
The "Built By Best Camp" took middle school students out of the class room to see how math and science are everyday skills.
Through field trips the students met with lawmakers, engineers and urban planning professionals.
They also visited local landmarks including the State Capitol, Metro Transit Light Rail and Humphrey Institute to inspire their own creation: a mini golf course.
"What inspired me was when we went to the Stone Arch Bridge and saw many different things like Mississippi River," Damir, a soon-to-be 6th grader, said.
She designed her hole so the ball is hit along the Mississippi River, under the bridge and into the hole.
"We didn't want to put real water in it, so we put plastic over it to make it look like real water. Then we added sand and rocks," Damir said.
There are even people made out of clay walking on top of the bridge, just like they do in real life.
Like any construction project, building a mini-golf course has its challenges. Students teamed up to become project managers and delegate tasks.
"Some parts were hard," Willie, who's heading into the 9th grade team, said.
His team built the Berlin Wall.
"The size and the measurements that wee had to put it together with the bricks and the cutting," Willie said.
With their love for math and science fueling the fun, the camp aimed to inspire the students to keep learning in school and beyond.
"I chose to be here because it was something new for me," Damir said. "I did want to be here and try something new."
"I want to be a math teacher. I want to come back to my community and help out. Science and math are my favorite subjects," Willie said.
The camp was developed between Harvest Preparatory School, a middle school in North Minneapolis, and Summit Academy OIC, a nonprofit vocational training center.
Organizers hope to expand the camp to more schools next summer.
