As one of the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) teachers at Goddard Middle School, Craig Mellen (Industrial Tech Teacher) recently worked with his classes on their first building activity. Applying information they've learned so far this year, students built small-scale, mini golf courses. This activity illustrates the process of using hand drafting techniques to draw the patterns, the mechanics of the scroll saw and drill press, and teaches finishing techniques using sand paper, files and wood glue. Additionally, this allows students to put shop safety guidelines into practice - which is a major focus of the course. 
Through this exercise, students worked in pairs to construct courses that their peers would then try to successfully play mini golf on. Students were able to test what designs work best, and see the influence of variable factors, while having fun and enjoying a team atmosphere during the testing phase! "One pair created a Super Mario themed course that had incredible attention to detail and decoration. They even included a 3D-printed pipe! Another pair took the initiative to build a windmill with a tunnel, and a spinning propeller, which took some engineering to get working correctly," shared Mr. Mellen.
One of the best parts of the activity is when the class invites other students and staff members in to play the golf courses. Mr. Mellen expressed that it's not only fun, but rewarding to watch the students show off their hard work and creativity, "I love watching the students be creative, then working to build whatever they're imagining in their minds. Seeing students work out how to create a particular design or object, with the tools and materials they have access to, is one of my favorite parts of this project."