Have we ever stopped to consider what really goes into the construction of a skateboard? How common is the conversation about SCIENCE in skateboarding?
The man with the answers is ‘Professor’ Paul Schmitt, and we had the honor of hosting him at our headquarters this week for Next Up’s first-ever skateboarding history and Create-A-Skate workshop. Schmitt is a skateboarder, engineer, and crusader for education through skateboarding, having influenced the core of the sport in ways most of us have never even considered.
Create-A-Skate is a non-profit educational project that Schmitt launched in 2007 as a way to give back to the industry that helped bring him great success. It teaches kids the “relevance of math, science, engineering, ecology, biology, vocabulary, artistry and how all those things you learn at school come together to make a skateboard” (JuiceMagazine – Paul Schmitt interview). The curriculum covers everything from how wood grain affects quality, the math involved in shaping a board, the processes of molding and lamination, and beyond.
Next Up kids were all over this hands-on, interactive workshop. According to Vina, this was one of the most engaging experiences at the Success Lab yet.
This has been by far the biggest year in Next Up history. As the Success Lab grows, we are beginning to see the results of how kids respond to all of these educational workshops and classes. As expected, our participants’ curiosity and enthusiasm over learning is expanding as they are connected to new ideas and resources. We are watching dreams form and eager young minds develop right before our eyes as we continue our mission to bridge the gap between skateboarding and education.
Thank you, Paul, for your visit and for your selfless contribution to youth empowerment! Create-A-Skate has proved itself to be an incredible source of inspiration to our kids. The Success Lab is on a roll! Stay tuned for more success stories!