Gone Boarding is the answer to student disengagement.
Gone Boarding is a course that was conceived and developed by Bill Curtis and Bruce Macartney, teachers in the Forest Hills Public School's District in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This curriculum includes content for math and VPAA, along with science, art, engineering, business, and an optional PE component.
Students in the Gone Boarding class collaborate to design, construct, and learn to ride all types of boards including: surfboards, snowboards, skateboards/longboards, stand-up paddle boards, and wake surfboards. Students also take part in service projects involving the school's district's younger students through a mentoring relationship built around action sports, and partner with the community to make an impact on the world both locally and globally. Every kid in America should have the opportunity to experience Gone Boarding, as it allows them to fully engage with their learning and take ownership of their future.
What you need to get started.
A Champion Teacher
You will need staff to run this program at your school. The teacher(s) must have a passion for kids, building relationships, and facilitating success inside and outside of the classroom.
Access to the Gone Boarding Curriculum.
This is where we come in! We will provide all of the curriculum and training of the instructors as well as all of the supplies and materials for all of the board builds. Oh...and we also provide ongoing support - we LOVE our teachers!
Students willing to "Dream it...Build it...Shred it!
Trust us! You already have these kids in your building. In fact, when presented with this possibility, you will have students coming out of the woodwork asking how they can help make it happen!
A space to run the program
You do not have to have a traditional "shop" space although that helps. You just need a room. We have schools running the program in many different spaces.
Shred it!
Build it.
Dream it.
How could Gone Boarding benefit your students?
Our current model of education was developed over 125 years ago and is a rinse and repeat model in which students are often treated like products on a factory line. We need to get away from the "sit and get" methodology of disseminating information. We need to empower students to be active participants in their educational experience. Gone Boarding allows educators to engage their students with rigor and relevance, inspire them to push beyond preconceived boundaries, and ultimately empower them to passionately pursue their futures! Not to mention your students will be designing and building some pretty rad boards that will last their lifetime!
Skill Development
Developing ideas
Students are given the freedom to let their imagination come to life through the development and execution of ideas.
Time management
The process of creating boards requires students to establish a timeline and plan for their project to be complete within the course requirements.
Confidence in work
Preparing students with the resources needed to create a board and allowing them to take over the process gives them the confidence in their work.
Collaboration
The culture of the Gone Boarding classroom is centered on the collaboration and teamwork of students working together to accomplish projects.
Industrial design
Students are introduced to Industrial Design through engineering the design and structure of the boards they build.
Safety
Gone Boarding prioritizes safety of the students by teaching them how to properly use tools and machines in the classroom.
Creativity
Gone Boarding gives students the ability to explore their creativity everyday in and out of the classroom.
Networking
Students are provided with several unique opportunities to connect with our partner companies and learn networking skills that will prepare them for their futures.
Students in Gone Boarding will learn a broad range of hard skills across so many different areas including: product design, engineering, woodworking, graphic design, business/marketing, communications, and physical skills involved in riding. Equally important, students will learn very sought after soft skills that will set them apart from their peers and set them above the competition when pursuing a career.
Our Partners
We have partnered with the absolute best brands in the action-sports industry to provide unparalleled opportunities for our students. Some of these opportunities inc
Engage.
Inspire.
Empower.
Welcome to education like you have never seen it before! Are you ready to engage your students with relevance... inspire them with rigor and relationships...and empower them to reach for their future in the 21st century?
Our Purpose
Providing opportunities for students to learn and develop through creation, collaboration, and experience.
Through action sports, Gone Boarding is able to engage students and provide them with an experience that is unique from any other traditional classroom. The foundation of Gone Boarding is built on designing, constructing, and riding a variety of boards that exist in action sports.
Contact us for more information to get started in your school.
Reach out today to get more information and set up a custom package quote for your school.