Core Skills Analysis
Mathematics
The 15‑year‑old measured the length, width, and thickness of each used skateboard and wine cork, converting inches to centimeters to keep a consistent unit system. They calculated the total surface area needed for the bench and the volume of cork required for the surfboard, applying multiplication and addition of fractions when pieces were cut to size. By using geometric concepts such as rectangles, triangles, and circles, they determined how many skateboards would fit together without gaps. They also estimated the load‑bearing capacity of the bench using ratios of material strength to surface area.
Science
The student investigated the material properties of laminated wood from skateboards and the compressibility of wine corks, noting how each responded to pressure and water exposure. They observed buoyancy principles while testing the cork surfboard in a tub, linking Archimedes' principle to the board's ability to float. The activity also highlighted concepts of sustainability, as they examined how repurposing waste reduces landfill mass and conserves resources. By experimenting with different bonding agents, they learned about chemical reactions that affect adhesion strength.
Engineering & Technology
The teen followed a design‑build-test cycle: sketching a bench layout, selecting appropriate skateboard sections, and assembling them with screws and glue. They applied engineering problem‑solving by adjusting the joinery after initial instability, documenting each modification. The surfboard project required prototyping a core shape from corks, then refining it for ergonomics and performance, demonstrating iterative design. Throughout, they practiced sustainable engineering by deliberately using discarded materials rather than purchasing new ones.
Art & Design
The learner arranged skateboards to create an aesthetically pleasing bench, considering color contrast, grain direction, and balance of visual weight. They embellished the surfboard with patterned cork layers, experimenting with texture and rhythm to mimic a real board’s look. By photographing the finished pieces and creating a short portfolio, they practiced visual communication and critique. The project encouraged personal expression while honoring the story behind each reclaimed item.
Tips
The student can deepen understanding by (1) creating scaled blueprints of both projects and calculating material waste percentages to discuss efficiency; (2) conducting a load‑test experiment on the bench using measured weights and graphing the results to connect force and deformation; (3) writing a step‑by‑step guide or blog post that includes photos, reflections, and environmental impact statements; and (4) collaborating with a local artist or carpenter to explore advanced joinery techniques or decorative finishes.
Book Recommendations
- The Way Things Work by David Macaulay: A visually rich guide that explains the physics behind everyday mechanisms, perfect for linking the bench’s joints and the surfboard’s buoyancy to real‑world principles.
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba: A true story of ingenuity and repurposing discarded materials to build a functional windmill, inspiring sustainable engineering mindsets.
- The Kids' Book of Simple Machines by Kelly Pyle: Introduces levers, pulleys, and inclined planes with kid‑friendly experiments, helping students see the simple machines at work in their skateboard bench.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.G.A.1 – Understand congruence and similarity using geometric transformations (bench layout).
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.F.B.4 – Interpret functions that model linear relationships (load vs. deflection graph).
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2 – Write informative/explanatory texts about the design process.
- NGSS.MS-PS2-2 – Plan investigations to compare forces acting on objects (bench load test).
- NGSS.MS-ETS1-1 – Define the problem and identify constraints for an engineering solution (material selection).
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Convert all measurements to metric, then calculate total material area and waste percentage.
- Quiz: Multiple‑choice questions on buoyancy, material strength, and sustainability concepts.
- Drawing task: Sketch a detailed orthographic view of the bench with labeled joints and dimensions.
- Writing prompt: Compose a 300‑word reflection on how repurposing waste can impact the environment.