The United Skates of America is offering a new STEM program that teaches Hillsborough County students the science, technology, engineering and math behind roller skating.
"This is a brand new program," said Mandy Jacobsen, STEM educator for the Tampa roller rink. "This is our first year being in Hillsborough County."
Jacobsen said the school district approved the program that they began offering last October. The STEM educator said they average about three schools per week to the roller skating rink and she tailor makes the curriculum.
"Before the kids even come into the rink, I'm talking with the teachers," Jacobsen said. "I'm figuring out what they're learning in school at the time, so I can integrate it in with their lessons."
Jacobsen taught 105 third graders from Turner Bartels Stem School on Friday. The students learned about how gravity, friction and motion play into roller skating. They also took apart a skate and had to put it back together properly. Teacher Alicia Alonso said she was impressed with the program.
"This was amazing because it incorporated everything that we do in the class," she said. "I liked how they went and they tested their skate... and then they go back and they revise and they make it better. Just that whole revision process."
Students said it was a fun way to learn outside of the classroom.
"The carpet has a lot of friction and friction is what makes things stop. Gravity is what pulls us down," said student Shrihari Mohan, 8. "So, motion is when we push something it gets the motion."
"I learned what STEM has to do with the science of roller skating," said student Isabella Rueda, 8. "What the roller skate is helping me do."
"I felt that the children were very, very, engaged," Alonso said.