GCSAA’s First Green program was invited to present at the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference and Trade Show, March 23-25, in Atlanta, Ga. The conference brings together more than 10,000 science teachers and allied professionals from throughout the United States for professional development, networking and to learn about new programs and services available to school districts, teachers and their students.
GCSAA presented a session along with Robert Hodgdon, Richmond Hills Middle School teacher, and Tim Busek, superintendent at St. Ives Country Club in Marietta, Ga., and Georgia GCSA vice president. The presentation, “First Green: An Innovative Site-based Field Trip Where Golf Courses are Used as STEM and Environmental Learning Labs,” highlighted the work of GCSAA members, explained what First Green field trips include and highlighted a a field trip with Hodgdon’s students at The Ford Field and River Club in Richmond Hill, Ga.
The teachers were led through the learning stations and key takeaways of the field trip including:
- Plant/Turfgrass Anatomy
- Soils
- Water Conservation/Water Evapotranspiration
- Cool Tools on the Green
- Nature Walk/The Ford Naturalist
Check out the session materials here.
During the trade show, GCSAA staff interacted with hundreds of teachers at the GCSAA/First Green booth. Raising awareness among the teaching community is a goal of the First Green program. Most of the teachers had never thought about the STEM lessons that can be shared on a golf course. The GCSAA/First Green booth promoted field trip opportunities throughout the country and demonstrated the Soils Learning Station to the attendees. Online teacher interest forms have increased with teachers stating they learned about First Green from the conference.
