This winter, Oyster River Middle School (ORMS) 6th-grade students put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test by designing and building their own miniature golf courses.

This hands-on project was realized under the supervision of STEM Teacher Jason Duff who invited students to take on this challenge and apply principles of engineering, physics, and design.

Students worked on their golf project for over 6 weeks. A wide variety of materials including cardboard boxes, synthetic grass, electronic components, batteries, and pom poms were used to create the golf course. Students also learned woodworking to craft miniature golf clubs.

The project concluded in January 2025 with an exciting event for ORMS staff members, who were invited to visit the STEM classroom on the second floor to see the finished projects. During the visit, staff had the opportunity to test out the courses, playing a few holes and experiencing the original and innovative designs firsthand.

The project-based experience allowed students to explore STEM concepts but also promoted the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking by combining creativity with technical skills.

Students built original golf courses using a variety of materials including cardboard boxes, synthetic grass, electronic components, batteries, and pom poms.

The activity ran over the course of 6 weeks and invited students to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills.

Students used electronic components to operate their golf courses and several teams also included battery-powered features such as elevators.