GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- In a classroom filled with sawdust, band saws, and vibrant energy, something powerful is happening. Scholars aren’t just learning to build skateboards; they’re building life skills.
At the heart of this hands-on program called Gone Boarding is Museum High School Teacher Alex Lawton Zandstra.
“Teaching kids how to make things by hand, I think that's really lost on a lot of public education,” said Zandstra. “We’re finding ways to have more of these hands-on experiences.”
Sophomore Kourtney Duke didn’t fully understand what she was getting into when she signed up for the art class.
“It's a good experience to come in this class and learn to build things and be handy with things,” Duke said.
From gluing and pressing layers of wood together to using band saws and sanding tools, scholars are engaged in each step of the building process.
“We made forms for it, we shape it out,” said John Henry, a freshman. “We carve them out on band saws.”
It’s not just about tools. It’s about patience, problem-solving, and persistence.
“You can either get frustrated and quit, or you can find solutions,” Zandstra explained. “If we can give these guys that understanding of what hard work can do, and what paying attention to your process can do, we're just making more well-rounded citizens who are going to ultimately do good in their communities.”
