Mars Area Centennial School sixth-graders are getting their first look at a 12-hole miniature golf course that they designed and built as part of the cross-curricular project.

In their physical education classes, sixth-graders are learning more about how to properly putt a ball and score a miniature golf game. This week and into the new year, the students will have an opportunity to play the course.

In October, the students joined in field trips to Mars-Bethel Golf to try out the course, test their golf skills, and learn more about what makes for a challenging hole. Joe Vivirito, Mars-Bethel Golf owner, also spoke with sixth-graders about what goes into building and managing a golf course.

In November/December, sixth-graders worked in groups in their STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Mathematics) classes to plan and build a single miniature golf course hole with a specific theme. Students then used artificial turf, provided through a Mars Planet Foundation grant, for the base of their course and constructed ramps, tunnels and movable/removable obstacles.

In February 2023, Mars Area Centennial School is planning to offer an evening tee time event for sixth-graders and their families to play the course at the school.

For more information, call (724) 625-2601.