05/15/2006

Lessons In Motion

Skateboard making teaches math, science

By
Record-Eagle photographer

Paul Schmitt — in his white lab coat, helmet and graying beard — looked out of place at the Grand Traverse Civic Center's skateboard park as he hopped on his board.

"This is a great little skate park. Good design." he said just before he took off.

It was, perhaps, an untraditional way to start a tech-ed class, but it provided a moving example of math, science and ecology principles he would bring up during his two-day visit to Scott Diment's tech-ed class at Traverse City East Junior High.

Schmitt started making skateboards when he was 14 and has sold more than 10 million since then. He is co-founder of Element, one of the most popular skateboard brands, and owner of California skateboard manufacturer PS Stix.

"I was chasing the dream of what I wanted to do," Schmitt told the class. "You're empowered to do anything in life if you're willing to work hard enough for it."

The skateboard industry pioneer teamed up with Diment, a skateboarder for about 30 years, in creating a curriculum and pilot program called CreateAskate, to be launched nationwide next year. CreateAskate helps students apply math and science in constructing and engineering a skateboard.

Schmitt, also known in the industry as "Professor Schmitt," donated more than 45 blank skateboard decks for Diment's students.

"I thought it was awesome," Alex Miller, 14, said of Schmitt's two-day visit to the class in mid-April.

Two junior high classes spent about two weeks in April drilling, sanding and designing their skateboards.

"The kids loved it," Diment said. "Any time I can teach something students can relate to in real life, something they're passionate about, it makes a big difference."

Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
Paul Schmitt, owner of the skateboard manufacturing company PS Stix, skateboards with students at the skateboard park at the Grand Traverse Civic Center. Schmitt, a native of Wisconsin, sold his first skateboard at age 14. He has been in the industry ever since and has helped produce some 10 million skateboards. In April, Schmitt spent two days making skateboards, helping students apply math and science concepts.