Hammer Time

Last month, our STEM class started a hands-on project: building our own cornhole boards. At first, we didn’t think much of it—it just sounded like another group assignment. But it ended up being one of the most fun and memorable experiences I’ve had in school.

We started by learning about measurements and planning. Our teacher gave us the official dimensions and some freedom to customize the design. We worked together, and we measured and helped cut the wood. Using the saw for the first time was a little nerve-wracking, but with some guidance (and safety goggles), we got the hang of it.

After we cut the boards to size, we built the frames using 2x4s and screws. We learned how important it is to pre-drill holes and make sure everything is square. If just one piece were off, the whole thing would wobble. There were definitely some mistakes, but we figured out how to redo it the right way.

The painting part was the most creative. We decided to sketch tools on the boards and paint them black and white. After we painted it we added polyurethane. It felt really cool to take something from raw wood to a finished product that actually looked professional.

When we finally tested the boards, they worked great. Everyone was proud of our work, and it felt awesome to see something we made being used and enjoyed.

Overall, building cornhole boards taught me more than just woodworking. I learned about teamwork, patience, problem-solving, and how satisfying it is to create something from scratch. It's definitely a school memory I’ll hold onto