Fingerboard Shaping STEAM Workshop for Paterson Youth
At SOLID, we believe inspiration is a vital element of youth empowerment and leadership development. We want young people to be inspired and motivated that they can make a difference just like the leaders they meet here at our Workshops! This workshop was all about Hands-On STEAM experience: Designing and Shaping Fingerboards.
In this workshop young people were inspired by learning the intricate process of how a skateboard is made from start to finish - including shaping the concave of the deck. Instead of pressing full-size boards, we use fingerboard presses to teach the same mechanics and process on a small scale. Students applied wood glue to 5 thin plies of veneer, placed them in the press and tightened the press with six wing-nuts (see the first photo on the right). Once the glue was dry, each participant designed the shape of their fingerboard, and Steve cut out their board with the table scroll saw. Last step was painting the graphic, sanding the edges and assembling their board. This workshop gives an introductory experience with wood-working and can put a young person on a path towards a career in the trades.
Skateboard STEAM Workshop with Fingerboards
The workshop also gave students a chance to use creativity, patience and problem-solving throughout the process. They were able to take basic materials and turn them into something they designed themselves.
By the end, each young person walked away with a finished fingerboard and a better understanding of how art, engineering and woodworking all come together. Experiences like this can help a young person discover a new skill, interest or possible career path.
Fingerboard STEAM Workshop Recap
How You Can Invest in a Young Person’s Future
You can help make experiences like this possible by sponsoring a young person at SOLID. Your support helps provide access to workshops, mentoring, art supplies, and activities that inspire youth to learn new skills and see new possibilities for their future. By sponsoring a young person, you are giving a young person the opportunity to feel supported, discover their talents and become part of a caring community.
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