Palmetto Elementary School fourth grade students were dressed to the nines for their recent visit to University Park Country Club (UPCC) in southern Manatee County, west of University Town Center.
UPCC staff and volunteers hosted a series of student learning stations at their clubhouse and facilities, each one highlighting a different STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) concept used on the 27-hole golf course.
The maintenance team helped students experience first-hand how to check the soil profile, moisture, temperature and firmness of the courses' greens.
Members of the Ladies Golf Association and staff from the Pro Shop taught students how to take care of the turf through proper putting and ball repair techniques.
The facilities department helped students build and personalize birdhouses for the golf course’s environmental program.
Students were then treated to a delicious three-course meal at the course’s private clubhouse, donated by University Park, and gifted with swag bags from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
Activity books were also donated by The Audubon Society.
To top it all off, the Ladies Golf Association of University Park presented Palmetto Elementary School with an $8,000 donation for continued STEM education and field trip opportunities.
“It was truly an amazing experience for all involved,” said fourth grade teacher, Susan Nickerson. “We are beyond grateful to the LGA and UPCC for their tremendous generosity!”
A special thanks to Mrs. Nickerson and Palmetto Elementary School for sharing this Good News.