To round off a hectic week for the Skate Project we took a display & some budding skaters to the BIG BANG SOUTH WEST young engineers & scientists fair held at Exeter University.

More than 2000 people visited the fair yesterday (Thursday 28 June 2012) to marvel at the fascinating science, technology, engineering and maths on display at The University’s Streatham campus.

Over 50 local and national organisations helped make the event a success, letting students know where studying science, engineering, technology and maths could take them as well as telling them about the latest developments or technology in their field.

More than 200 students also demonstrated the projects they entered for competitions including the National Science & Engineering Competition and the CREST Awards.
Interest in the skate project was high from Students & Teachers alike from all over the South West. Compliments were also paid towards the project and it’s achievements.

Our students were also treated to an amazing array of scientific explosions and experiments in the Northcott Theatre by a team of Sussex University Scientists led by showman ‘Dr Hal’. We even got to see ‘Quantum Levitation’ in the flesh a real, scientific contender to build actual ‘Hover Boards’ in the future. Amazing stuff indeed!

The day finished with a glitzy award ceremony in the Northcott Theatre where judges revealed their top choices and handed out over 30 prizes to students who will go on to the National finals next year in London.

It’s funny you know. As soon as you ask a student to wear a helmet during skate club they always protest & we as teachers & mentors go through the usual long list of reasons why you should wear a skid lid when skating.
Do we abide by the rules ourselves?. Most of the time the answer is yes. In fact you won’t catch me  on a snowboard, mountain board, mountain bike or at a skate park without a helmet on for love nor money. So….why should it be different when I’m just skating at home? To be honest it shouldn’t but I seldom wear one when just pootling about for fun. It’s not a case of double standards more like forgetfulness or the delusion that ‘It’ll be OK, I’ll be alright.
Well, I’m telling you now; It isn’t OK & it won’t be alright.

Cue epic FAIL!

Last Wednesday after work I was doing just that, pootling without a saucepan on my bonce when…BANG full on face plant on to the VERY hard paving slabs near our village hall. What a mess, blood everywhere, trip to A&E, concussion & a suspected (but thankfully not proven) detached retina.
Next time, and YES there will be a next time & all the next times after that, I’ll be sporting my Salomon skid lid. I don’t care if you think I look a wally, I’ll be a safer wally. I don’t fancy going through that again.
Respect to all the helmeted riders out there.
Mr K

Club members are busy making full size “Balance Boards” with support from myself, Mr Pyle, Mr Quinn and Mr Kelly.
The emphasize is always on having fun and staff are always on hand to teach our students the Science, Technology and Mathamatical theroy essential in making such products.

This week the focus was on “building” the balance boards. Lightning fast mathamatics from our young students this evening when it was needed. See you all next week!

Grip Tape & Truck fitting session.

Since last weeks painting session all the decks have been lacquered to add an additional layer of protection & shine.
Now it’s time to finish them off……..

Trimmimg the grip tape to fit the board.

Drilling the pilot holes for the trucks.

Mounting the completed trucks on the decks with additional rubber truck risers.

Truck fitting teamwork.

Happy SK8R boys with their finished decks.

Huge amount of work done this week with R2 a real hive of industry. Laser cut board templates used on board blanks. Decks cut out on the band saw & the long sanding process started. Well done all.