SURF
SKATE SCIENCE

What is Surf Skate Science?

Surf Skate Science is a STEAM education program tailored for non-traditional schoolers, such as homeschoolers and microschoolers. It operates on a semester basis, spanning 14 weeks. The program adopts a hands-on approach to learning, alternating weekly sessions between the beach and the skatepark.

 

Weekly Schedule

Each week, participants engage in a 45-minute project-based lab session, followed by 45 minutes of either surfing or skateboarding, depending on the location.

Mondays - Palm Beach County

Wednesdays - Miami Skate/Broward Surf

Fridays - Broward County

 

Cooperative Structure

Surf Skate Science operates as a 501(c)3 non-profit cooperative, with fees shared among participants to cover program expenses. Parental involvement is encouraged, both to reduce costs and foster a sense of community.

 

Educational Approach

Facilitators transform the local beach or skatepark into dynamic science labs, where students apply scientific principles in real-world settings. Through guided exploration, young participants become scientists while honing their surfing or skateboarding skills.

 

Instructional Support

A team of experienced coaches assists students in mastering the fundamentals of STEAM, surfing and skateboarding, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment. All abilities are welcome.

 

Location and Availability

Classes are held once a week, with meetups offered across Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Families have the flexibility to opt for a full semester or half-semester enrollment, choosing between surf science and skate science based on their interests and location.

 

Specific Offerings

• Surf science sessions are available in Palm Beach and Broward counties.

• Skate science sessions are offered in Miami-Dade county as well as Palm Beach and Broward counties.

   

Group Settings

• Classes are conducted in group settings, with students grouped by age.

• Age groups are guidelines, and participants can select the group they feel is best suited for their student.

• Generally, elementary students are grouped together, and middle/high school students are grouped together.

• Note that the curriculum is targeted towards 3rd grade and up. Parents of K-2 students are asked to assist them with labs as needed.

• Students must be proficient swimmers due to the nature of the activities.

• Parents are responsible for supervising their children during meet-ups.

 

By combining science education with outdoor activities, Surf Skate Science offers a unique and enriching learning experience for young learners in the region.

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OTHER FAQs

What is a co-op?

A homeschool co-op is a group of families who meet together and work cooperatively to achieve common goals. structured groups of families who want to share some of the benefits of group learning opportunities. Activities and classes are led by parents and parent volunteers. The cost of our Surf Skate Classes is a shared expense determined by the cost of materials, board rentals and coach fees. Parents are encouraged to participate, volunteer, build friendships, support one another and have fun with us. This helps us to keep costs as low as possible and create a strong community. We also love to have parents surf and skate with the students, share their careers in STEAM, help organize field trips, suggest labs/learning ideas and help fundraise to help us lower the costs even further. Our curriculum is targeted to 3rd grade and up, however younger students can participate with parents help. They must be good swimmers and parents must be willing to help them in the water and at the skatepark. Our facilitators will also be available to show parents the best way to help. We will encourage all students to participate but will not force participation. We want everyone to have a good experience with surfing and skateboarding.

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Why are we not a drop off program?

The main reason is that we value community. Community is one of the main reasons we started Surf Skate Science. We all need each other! Our kids need friends but so do our parents. And in this homeschooling journey, support from others is everything. Having more hands on deck not only keeps our costs low & increases safety in the park/lan/water, but allows parents to be part of the learning process. And….you may learn to love surfing and skateboarding as much as your kids do. With that said, some parents carpool, go for a run and get a needed break, relax and chat or even work while we do class....and that is absolutely ok with us! 

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How do I record my student's learning?

Parents can choose to use Surf Skate Science a their child’s science and physical education credit when putting together their transcript. We will also provide materials to include in your students portfolio review including a syllabus, worksheets and more. Homework is optional but if you are looking for a full semester credit of learning, the more you dive in, the more your student will learn. Plus, we have an epic treasure chest that students can choose from when they turn in their homework.

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Do you offer drop-in or trial days?

Due to current capacity of our classes, we are not offering drop in sessions. Please check out our social media for a quick peak into what you can expect or feel free to reach out to us.

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Volunteer opportunities students ages 16-18

Yes! We are always looking for student leaders. We will train them in coaching surf and skate. They will also learn how to assist in science labs and lead small groups. Plus, they will earn community service hours. In addition, those who are committed can be trained to do private lessons and earn a significant income working flexible hours. Interested? Email us at info@surfskatescience.com

 

Do students need experience in surfing or skateboarding?

Absolutely not. Our team has decades of experience teaching all levels of skateboarding and surfing. Just like science, both sports involve learning from your failures and trying again. Because all surfers and skateboarders are learning regardless of their level, they all fall sometimes…so there is no need to be afraid or embarrassed to try. We can laugh when we fall and celebrate together when we land those tricks! However, you student must be a good swimmer. For students younger than 3rd grade, we ask that parent get in the water and help push their kids when needed and be willing to help them with labs and in the skatepark. Ultimately it is about trying new things and having fun. While we hope you student falls in love with Action Sports, our class is ultimately about students finding their passions and realizing their potential.

 

Do students need a surfboard and/or skateboard?

Surfboards and skateboards will be available for use, but students may bring their own. For surfing we use foam-top surfboards provided by Island Water Sports. These are the best choice for South Florida waves and the safety of our students. However, if your kid is an experienced ripper, then grab a short board and enjoy!

 

We have several loaner skateboards thanks to Vans. We let students borrow them for classes on a first come, first serve basis. We strongly encourage you to not buy a board from a store like Target or Walmart. These boards are not worth the investment. Head to your local skate shop instead.

 

This term each student will create a custom designed pro grade skateboard deck as part of the skate science program that they can keep. We will offer low-cost truck packages for them to build a complete skateboard to use.

 

What do we need to bring to class?

All lab materials are included in our class cost. We will provide pencils, notebooks, etc. For Skate Science, please wear proper footwear, bring a skateboard helmet (different than a pointed bike helmet) and pads. For Surf Science, please wear a modest bathing suit with a rash guard, a towel and sunscreen. Bring a towel and reef-safe sunscreen! ALWAYS BRING A REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE TO STAY HYDRATED!

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Communication

We send 2 emails out every week. One at the beginning of the week with what to expect, weather updates, known class changes, etc. Then, one at the end of week, with homework assignments and recaps. So check your email that you registered with. For last minute changes and weather updates, join us at "Surf Skate Science" on the Spaces by Wix app to easily stay updated. Download the app with this link: http://wix.to/TEAqAYU?ref=so. Already have the app? Use the invite code: ST9WHB

 

What does Action Sports have to do with science anyway?

The focus of Surf Skate Science is to create a condition and setting where students want to and are able to learn. Surf Skate Science 3 purposes we hope to facilitate in each student:

• PERSONAL: Help students identify their passions, then turn these passions into valued skills. We hope to enable students to engage with the world within them as well as the world around them.

• SOCIAL: We hope to enable young people to become active and compassionate citizens so that they apply these valued skills in ways that contribute to their community and society as a whole.

• CULTURAL: We hope to enable students to understand and appreciate their own cultures and respect the diversity of others. Action sports are the perfect example of this/

 

What can students learn from Action Sports?

Action sports teaches vital skills needed for the next century:

• Creativity and innovation - Skateparks and skateboards are bursting with physics, geometry, science, engineering and math. Plus, Skateboarding doesn’t have any rules or limitations. The way you do tricks and the style you showcase matters a lot more than the tricks themselves. Creativity rules skateboarding. It’s all about expressing yourself and testing fresh ways to have fun with your board.

• Resilience and Complex problem solving - Falling and failing in skating and life is inevitable. Skaters know how to fall smart, get back up and try again. A skater knows that when things go wrong, they cope by rolling, sliding and using their pads to distribute the energy of the crash. There is always a lesson to apply to the next hundred tries it takes to master a trick.

• Cognitive flexibility - Skateboarding is an unstructured, athletic and creative outlet for body and soul. Skaters take and make all kinds of terrain and turn it into a canvas for creative movement.

• Critical thinking - Contrary to popular belief, skaters aren’t daredevils. They’re taking, what we’d like to call, calculated risks. When you see someone jumping down 10 stairs, he isn’t careless nor suicidal. They built up to the trick and jumped down gaps hundreds, if not thousands, of times before.

• Decision making & Negotiation - Experienced skaters become skilled diplomats who know their place in the skatepark and the world. Just watch any group of skaters lined up around a bowl. They (mostly) wordlessly know: a) when it is their turn, b) whether the kid in the bowl got more air off the hip than his last run and merits a board clap and c) how many tricks and runs they can grind out before annoying the group waiting to go next.

• Emotional intelligence - Through skating, you’ll meet people from all ages, ethnicity and social status. Skateboarding encourages strong independent thinking and the drive needed to take on challenge after challenge. Skateboarders learn to find and make their own lines amid the beautiful chaos of a busy skatepark.

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Neurodivergent Students

 

We know that all students are unique and learn in different ways. Our goal is to provide a place for all students to find their passions and enjoy learning.

 

We often hear the word “spectrum”, but have you ever actually looked at a photograph of a color spectrum? The reality is that you cannot draw clear lines between colors. It is impossible to do. The transition from red to orange to yellow to green to blue to violet takes place in nearly unlimited degrees, each hue is infinitely different from the ones on either side of it.

 

Neurodiversity in the classroom or while learning on a board (surf or skate) is somewhat the same. There are no clear lines, no easy delineations between differences between children who are at various degrees on the spectrum. We are all wired differently. We see these differences as gifts. Surf Skate Science hopes to create a class environment to help all students learn and grow into their best selves. and to make classes as effective as possible as we teach to the strengths of students in each of these areas:

 

1. Learning disabilities

2. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

3. Autism

4. Intellectual disabilities

5. Emotional and behavioral disorders

 

As a co-op, we are here to help facilitate students and families in the learning process.

Here is how we can work together:

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• Safety is our highest priority, so if a student is not capable of being in the water alone, we ask that their aide or parent be in the water with them. We will help guide aides/parents in the best helping students as they surf. If you are unable to do this, we can work on finding a private instructor that can be hired specifically to work with your student during our surf time. 

• We are happy to invoice you according to your needs for reimbursement of the Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship.

• We all know our kids best, if you student struggles in a certain area, please be active in helping to direct them during class in the best way possible.

• We limit each class to 3 nuerodivergent learners in order to be able to give all students the attention needed.

• If any student engages in property destruction, physical harm to themselves or others, or aggressive verbal behavior, our first priority must be to protect all students in the class.​

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Scholarships

Our program is fully reimbursable through the Florida Family Empowerment program. StepUpForStudents.org This is a great option! This year, there are major changes being made in the program and we will update you as we get information.

 

We are happy to offer payments to break payments down to make it easier. For this just email us and we can invoice you to pay as you can.

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On May 11, 2021, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 7045 into law, resulting in several changes to the state's K-12 scholarship programs, including an extensive expansion of the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.

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House Bill 7045 expanded the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to include two branches of eligibility, the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options(FES EO) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES UA). Many families have been able to be reimbursed for our classes under these scholarships. For more information apply here.

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Discounts

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• Until July 1st we offer $50 off the normal fee for the 7 week program and $100 off for the 14 week program. After July 1st, we offer a 10% sibling discount.

• Groups of 10 or more will receive an additional 10% Discount. 

• Early discounts, sibling discounts and group discount can not be combined.

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Groups, Discounts, Cancelation and Rescheduling Policy

 

We understand that sometimes cancellations and rescheduling are necessary, and we aim to be as accommodating as possible. To ensure transparency, we have established the following guidelines for refunds and rescheduling:

1. Cancellations received at least 4 weeks in advance of the start of the semester will be eligible for a 90% refund.*

2. Cancellations received at least 2 -4 weeks in advance of the start of the semester will be eligible for a 50% refund.*

3. Cancellations within 0-2 weeks of the start of the semester will be eligible for a 25% refund.*

4. Cancellations requested after the day prior to the class will not be eligible for a refund.*

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*If program has already been submitted to Step Up, we are unable to reimburse you due to funding regulations.

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Rain days will be rescheduled when possible, providing an opportunity to make up missed sessions due to weather conditions.

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In the event that a child falls sick, they may attend one of our available rain make-up days at the end of the semester, subject to availability. Unfortunately, sick days will not be refunded due to the incurred costs of staffing and supplies.

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For Microschools and groups, we kindly ask for a commitment to the original number of students and the agreed-upon price, even if a student does not attend on a specific day. If a Microschool or group is unable to attend a scheduled class, they will still be responsible for the class's cost, unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed upon at least two weeks prior to the class.

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Please note that semesters cannot be split, meaning participation in one semester for surfing and another semester for skating is not possible.

We hope these guidelines provide clarity on our policies and promote a positive experience for all participants. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

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