Hudoba Partners with United Skates of America on Innovative STEM on Wheels Program

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Education, fitness and fun aptly describe a unique Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program for K-12 kids, launched by United Skates of America, which operates 20 rinks around the country.  The curriculum for the highly popular program was developed by Mike Hudoba, mechanical engineering doctoral student at Ohio State, and his team.

The three hour field trip, held at roller skating rinks across the country, includes one hour of STEM education, two hours of skating and lunch. A total of six lessons for three grade levels, Kindergarten – Grade 2; Grades 3 – 5; Grades 6 – 8 and a single lesson for high school – teach students basic concepts of reverse-engineering from a scientific perspective.  “Many of the lessons I developed for the program take from information I learned at Ohio State, for example designing products to help beginner skaters learn how to skate from the user point of view,” Hudoba said.

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Photo by Michigan
The program introduces students to STEM education in a very interactive and high-energy way and the cost is just $8 per student.  “I think the ultimate goal and takeaway for any grade level of student is to realize that everything they do is involved in the science, engineering and technology field in one way or another,” Hudoba commented.

United Skates of America benefits by introducing young people to skating as positive family entertainment.  “It excites us each time we see a student make the connection between STEM and the real world, and that connection happens on every STEM field trip,” said Karen Palermo, president.  “We have become very passionate about the benefits of this program to the kids and the community,” she said.

This year, the program has obtained grant funding from Battelle in Columbus, Ohio. “We were one of only 10 programs out of more than 160 who received funding,” Hudoba said.  The grant is designed to allow 3,000 students from low income school districts to attend the program free of charge.  A physical education component has also been introduced.  Students wear pedometers during skating and attempt to reach a collective total goal of 25 million steps.

Hudoba is graduating this spring, so he has retired from officially teaching the program lesson plans.  “I was very proud to be part of something that can truly have an impact on education,” he said.

To view a video about the program click here

Category: Graduate