Collaboration with Club Car Helps Elementary School Strive Toward STEM Certification

Club Car, one of the most respected names in the golf industry for more than half a century and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, recently participated in a simulated business pitch called “STEMulation Tank” at Copeland Elementary School near Augusta, Georgia; five student teams pitched the golf car of the future to Club Car executives. The presentations were the culmination of a nine-month program in which students and Club Car employees collaborated to deepen students’ understanding and appreciation for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

The students who participated in this exercise certainly saw the benefits of the program. “I learned that using our imagination can make us think more critically and achieve a lot more,” said Brittani Brown. A’Qoyas Cody, another student, added “It takes a lot of teamwork. Even though the process was a little frustrating at times, it was still fun.”

The students showed no shortage of imagination. The fifth-graders came up with everything from golf ball finders and on-board GPS, to a camera that records your swing so that you can analyze it and correct your mistakes. The winning team came up with a concept of temperature controlled cup holders for golf cars.

“The support Club Car and its employees gave our students was invaluable,” said Deborah Mobley, STEM coordinator, Copeland Elementary School. “They encouraged students to think deeper and consider the consequences of each step, further developing their STEM skills. The project aimed to cultivate problem-based learning, build a STEM culture and help students adapt to a competitive environment. In the process it is also helping Copeland Elementary earn points towards becoming the first school in Richmond County to become STEM certified.

The students toured the Club Car facility after their presentations. The Black Employee Network at Club Car coordinated the program and the visit.

Club Car has supported STEM education in Richmond County since 2014  when it partnered with 1st Tee of Augusta to donate $5,000 to the Richmond County Board of Education. Club Car’s partnership with Copeland shows the company’s passion for building a better future and their goal to be socially responsible by effectively using their unique resources.