POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — When you were in school, did you ever imagine taking surfing or skateboarding for class credit?
For some kids in South Florida, that’s now a reality — and it’s about much more than just having fun.
These unique courses are designed to teach math, science and engineering, all while riding waves or rolling through skate parks.
On Wednesday, the ocean was the lab for a group of students in Pompano Beach.
“We were talking about the wavelength and the frequency of the waves,” instructor Amanda Tabb said. “It incorporates equations while looking at the waves while you’re surfing. It helps to know when the waves are coming, how many are coming at a time, and then the flow.”
Tabb teaches alongside fellow instructor Ximena Cuervo, who studied environmental engineering and sustainable infrastructure.
“I feel like they know more than I do sometimes,” Cuervo said with a laugh. “They already know so much.”
The two are part of Surf Skate Science, a hands-on learning program that merges action sports with STEAM education — science, technology, engineering, art and design math.
The idea came from ocean engineer Toni Frallicciardi and her husband, Uli, a builder. They turned South Florida’s beaches and skate parks into open-air classrooms.
“A lot of times we’ll look at textbooks and we’ll learn a lesson — we might talk about waves, ocean waves, sound waves,” Frallicciardi said. “But once you actually get to feel it and touch it, it’s a whole different thing.”
For students, that means a math lesson could start with catching a wave — or a physics concept could come to life on a skateboard ramp.
The program operates as a homeschool co-op, where families share resources and responsibilities.
Parents don’t drop their kids off — they participate too. Tuition is $550 for one 90-minute class per week, over 14 weeks.
“The kids are so excited to come, so that means we’re doing something right,” Frallicciardi said. “And I think learning should be fun, exciting, something they want to do for the rest of their lives.”
Surf Skate Science is open to students in third grade and up, though younger kids can join with parental support.
Surfboards and skateboards are provided and the program welcomes children with ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, or other behavioral and emotional challenges.
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