PITTSBURG, Kan. — Kids ages nine through 14 are gaining hands-on experience with woodworking as part of a three-day summer camp held in partnership between Greenbush (Southeast Kansas Education Service Center) and the Southeast Kansas Career and Technical Education Center (SEK CTEC).

“This is the first opportunity for Greenbush and SEK CTEC through WSU (Wichita State University) Tech to work together,” said Greenbush Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer Monica Murnan, Tuesday. “This summer, we are really exploring how we can collaborate with others at Greenbush in order to provide really high-quality programming for kids … They (SEK CTEC) focus on older kids, we (Greenbush) focus on younger kids, so this summer we decided to do upper elementary and middle school-aged kids.”

Held on the campus of SEK CTEC in the North Industrial Park, the camp guides students step-by-step to design, build, and even customize their own cornhole board.

“We knew that through building a complete cornhole set we would hit on several different areas of STEM education, and we decided it was a great hands-on learning experience,” added Murnan. “We have 18 kids here between the ages of nine and 14.They started yesterday (Monday). Today they are down deep and by tomorrow at 11:30 they will be taking home a complete cornhole set.”

For the parents and guardians, organizers of the event sent home a handout that detailed “how building a cornhole game supports STEM learning.

Takeaways for parents and guardians are:

• Science: Exploring force, motion, and gravity as players throw bean bags; testing how board angle affects the movement of the bags; and investigating materials and how different surfaces impact gameplay.
• Technology: Using tools safely and correctly during construction; learning about design processes and problem-solving; and applying digital tools for planning, measuring, or creative designs.
• Engineering: Designing and building a sturdy cornhole board; following a blueprint or creating an original design; and testing, evaluating, and improving the board for performance and durability.
• Mathematics: Measuring lengths, angles, and dimensions accurately; calculating board size, hole placement, and spacing; and using addition and subtraction to keep score during gameplay.
• Additional skills: Teamwork and collaboration; critical thinking and problem-solving; creativity and design; and precision and attention to detail.

“I’ve been watching really closely, and it is amazing how much they are absorbing with the relationship of themselves and the machinery and the wood and just that goal that they have to be able to take something home,” said Murnan. “They are really excited about it. I have also been incredibly impressed with their patience. They were having to wait their turn to cut but they are learning from watching others do it. They are practicing their social skills, and it’s just a great day all around.”

This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.