Join the B.A.M. Build-Off!

The BAM Build-Off is a student team competition in which participants design and build a portable mini-golf section connected to a Mississippi priority workforce sector. The completed sections will be joined to create the WorkSmart Career Course. 

August 15, 2026 - March 15, 2027

Any group of students in grades 9–12 may apply by joining or forming a WorkSmart Career Network team or local Career Club. Teams may be connected to a school, homeschool group, church, youth organization, or other approved community group.

Participation limited to Mississippi. Teams must meet all application, sponsor, mentor, safety, documentation, and competition requirements and attend the BAM Build-Off competition in Columbia, Mississippi, in early April 2027.

Each team must include at least six students in grades 9–12.

The official BAM Build-Off competition and mini-grants are intended for students in grades 9–12.

Younger students may participate in approved supporting activities or help with age-appropriate planning and design tasks. They may not replace the required high school team members or perform work that is unsafe or inappropriate for their age.

Yes. Each team must have an approved adult club sponsor or team leader who is responsible for communication, supervision, forms, deadlines, and student participation.

Required background checks must be completed for approved adults who work directly with students.

Yes. Each team must have a qualified technical mentor with relevant experience in construction, engineering, design, manufacturing, maintenance, skilled trades, or project management.

The mentor will help guide the team from planning through completion and ensure specialized work is completed safely and correctly. WorkSmart may help connect teams with a mentor when possible.

Each team will design and build one portable mini-golf section approximately 4 feet by 14 feet.

 A different shape may be considered during preliminary design review if it fits the course layout and meets all design, safety, portability, and connection requirements. 

Donated materials, professional services, skilled labor, mentor time, technical assistance, and equipment use must be documented using a reasonable estimated value and written verification from the sponsor.

Time-based contributions should include the type of service provided, the number of hours contributed, and the reasonable hourly value used to calculate the contribution.

Each mini-golf section must clearly represent one or more Mississippi priority workforce sectors.

The career connection may be shown through the design, obstacles, signs, story, materials, or player experience.

Mississippi priority occupations may be reviewed at:

https://mspathfinder.org/priority-occupations/

Yes. Up to eight approved teams may receive a $500 WorkSmart mini-grant for approved materials and construction expenses.

Any approved team may compete, whether or not it receives a mini-grant.

Teams requesting a $500 WorkSmart mini-grant must submit:

• a basic preliminary design sketch 
• basic measurements 
• a materials list 
• a basic project budget 
• the amount and type of sponsor support already secured 
• a commitment from one or more sponsors to provide at least $500 in support 
• the remaining costs that are not yet covered 
• a brief explanation of how the mini-grant would be used 

Sponsor support may include:

• donated materials or supplies 
• monetary contributions 
• use of equipment 
• technical assistance 
• approved mentor time 
• professional services 
• skilled labor 
• a combination of these contributions 

The preliminary sketch does not have to be a professional drawing. It should clearly show the proposed layout, main obstacles, workforce theme, overall size, and playing path.

WorkSmart will review the sketch, budget, sponsor commitment, financial need, safety, portability, and project feasibility before mini-grants are awarded.

Up to eight teams that meet the requirements and demonstrate the greatest financial need may receive a $500 WorkSmart mini-grant.

Decisions will be based on:

• available team resources 
• confirmed sponsor support 
• remaining unfunded project costs 
• financial need 
• completion of required application materials 
• overall project feasibility 

Mini-grant decisions will not affect competition judging.

Teams receiving a mini-grant must secure and document at least $500 in sponsor support.

Mini-grant recipients must use the funds only for approved BAM Build-Off expenses and follow the terms of the mini-grant agreement.

A team that withdraws, uses funds for unapproved expenses, or does not complete the required project and documentation may be required to return unused or unsupported funds.

Yes. A team may receive support from one sponsor or combine support from several businesses, organizations, or qualified professionals.

Yes. Approved sponsor names or logos may appear on the team’s mini-golf section.

Sponsors may also be recognized through the WorkSmart website, event materials, signs, social media, and other public promotions.

The WorkSmart Foundation is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity. Monetary contributions and eligible donated materials may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The value of donated time or professional services is generally not deductible as a charitable contribution, although certain unreimbursed volunteer expenses may qualify.

WorkSmart will provide appropriate donation acknowledgment for eligible contributions. Donors should consult their tax professional regarding their specific contribution.

To keep the competition fair, every team is limited to a $1,000 total materials budget, whether or not it receives a mini-grant.

The limit includes:

• purchased materials 
• donated materials 
• monetary contributions used to purchase materials 
• WorkSmart mini-grant funds 

Professional services, skilled labor, mentor time, technical assistance, and temporary equipment use may count toward required sponsor support but do not count toward the $1,000 materials budget.

All teams must submit a basic project budget. WorkSmart may request receipts, donation values, time records, or written sponsor verification when needed.

Each mini-golf section must:

• be approximately 4 feet by 14 feet unless another shape is approved 
• include a clear starting point, playable path, obstacles, and cup 
• be durable, weather-resistant, and suitable for repeated public use 
• remain within the approved materials budget 
• allow players to approach, play, and leave safely 
• avoid requiring players to climb, crawl, sit, stand, or walk on the structure 
• keep the golf ball on the playing surface as much as reasonably possible 
• allow access for maintenance and repairs 
• clearly represent one or more Mississippi priority workforce sectors 

Each section must:

• be stable and structurally sound 
• have no sharp edges, exposed nails, exposed screws, splinters, broken glass, or unsafe protrusions 
• use securely attached obstacles, signs, decorations, and parts 
• avoid tripping hazards, unsafe gaps, pinch points, and unstable surfaces 
• use safe, nonhazardous materials 
• have no open flames or hazardous chemicals 
• keep cords, decorations, and structural parts out of public walkways 
• avoid standing water, leaks, and slippery surfaces 
• avoid features that require players to climb, sit, stand, crawl, or walk on the structure 
• be built under approved adult supervision 
• follow proper tool-use procedures 
• require appropriate personal protective equipment during construction 

Electrical, water, lighting, sound, motorized, moving, or other specialized features must be designed and installed under the direction of the team’s qualified technical mentor or another appropriately licensed or experienced professional.

Specialized features must follow all applicable laws, codes, manufacturer instructions, workplace safety requirements, and accepted construction or trade practices. OSHA requirements must be followed when applicable. 

A qualified person must inspect specialized systems before the competition.

WorkSmart’s final review confirms whether the section meets the published competition requirements for safety, playability, portability, and course connection. It does not replace any inspection, approval, or professional responsibility required for structural, electrical, mechanical, water, motorized, or other specialized systems. 

Each section must:

• be capable of being moved, loaded, unloaded, transported, and stored safely 
• be light enough to move with a reasonable number of adults 
• fit through normal access points or separate into approved movable sections 
• include handles, lifting points, removable parts, or another practical moving method 
• remain secure during transportation 
• withstand repeated setup, breakdown, movement, and storage 
• use removable or foldable tall features when needed 

Tall, unusually heavy, or difficult-to-move features must be addressed in the team’s preliminary design and moving plan.

Each team is responsible for safely transporting its completed mini-golf section to the BAM Build-Off competition in Columbia, Mississippi.

The transportation plan must account for loading, unloading, securement, weather protection, the vehicle or trailer being used, and the number of adults needed to move the section safely.

WorkSmart will provide instructions for transferring the completed section to the Foundation after the competition.

Each section must:

• work as a complete stand-alone mini-golf hole 
• be capable of being arranged safely with the other completed sections 
• have a clearly identified player entrance and exit 
• avoid blocked walkways or unsafe gaps 
• include the required PVC electrical pass-through beneath the section 
• place the PVC pass-through on the left side when viewed from the starting point 
• allow an electrical cord to be run through the section when the complete course is assembled 
• avoid permanent features that prevent the section from fitting into different course layouts 

The PVC electrical pass-through is required even if the team does not use electricity.

No. Teams may develop ideas, sketches, budgets, materials lists, and sponsor commitments, but they should not begin major construction or make major purchases until WorkSmart approves the preliminary design and project plan.

Yes. Teams may make changes during construction as long as the project continues to meet all published size, budget, safety, portability, workforce-theme, and course-connection requirements.

Changes involving structural stability, electrical systems, water, motorized parts, moving features, or other specialized work must be reviewed and directed by the team’s qualified technical mentor or another appropriately licensed or experienced professional.

Teams need to contact WorkSmart only if a change would:

• significantly alter the size or shape 
• exceed the strict $1,000 materials budget 
• change the workforce theme 
• affect portability or course connection 
• create a new safety concern 
• prevent the project from meeting the published requirements 

Yes. WorkSmart may require changes when a design does not meet the published requirements for:

• safety 
• cost 
• size 
• durability 
• portability 
• playability 
• workforce relevance 
• transportation 
• storage 
• public use 
• compatibility with the complete course 

WorkSmart may require repairs or changes before the section is accepted for competition or public use.

A section that cannot be made safe, portable, playable, durable, or compatible with the full course may not be accepted.

Teams should plan to meet about twice each month and more often during active construction or as deadlines approach.

The purpose of the competition is for students to work with professionals from project conception through completion.

Teams must keep:

• student club rosters 
• meeting sign-in sheets 
• clock-in and clock-out records for work-based learning hours 
• progress photos 
• receipts 
• sponsor-support documentation 
• updated budgets 
• mentor participation records 
• final photos 
• student reflections 
• required completion forms 

Photo or media permissions must be obtained when required before student images are submitted or published.

 Entries will be judged using an official rubric based on: 

• safety 
• workmanship 
• durability 
• playability 
• creativity 
• workforce connection 
• workforce collaboration and teamwork 
• problem-solving 
• budget management 
• presentation 
• completion of required documentation 

The final judging rubric will be provided to participating teams before the competition.

First-, second-, and third-place teams will receive plaques.

The winning team will also hold the traveling BAM Build-Off trophy for one year and receive competition bragging rights.

Applications open August 15, 2026.

Additional deadlines for applications, sponsor commitments, preliminary design review, mini-grant decisions, progress updates, final completion, and the competition will be posted on this page and provided to participating teams.

The BAM Build-Off competition will be held in Columbia, Mississippi, in early April 2027.

The exact date and location will be announced.

All completed mini-golf sections become the property of the WorkSmart Foundation.

The completed sections will be joined to create the WorkSmart Career Course.

The course may be used for:

• student events 
• community activities 
• competitions 
• career exploration 
• WorkSmart programs 
• paid public play that supports future WorkSmart programs 

A group should first join or start a WorkSmart Career Network or WorkSmart Career Club.

The team will then complete the required application and submit:

• a student roster 
• adult leader information 
• technical mentor information 
• sponsor commitment 
• preliminary design sketch 
• materials list 
• project budget 
• project plan 

WorkSmart will provide participating teams with the required forms, deadlines, and next steps.