‘STEM Day’ celebrated in Oaks Park ‘Roller Rink’ program

See how science meets roller skating at this relatively new program engaging kids all from all over outer East Portland. And, check out their ‘Sip-n-Skate’ session on New Year’s Eve …

Inside the famous, historic Oaks Park Roller Rink, kids get to learn about science while learning about roller skating on National STEM Day.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Just in time to celebrate National STEM Day, the Oaks Park Roller Rink kicked off its all-new Roller Rink STEM & Skate program with a special Friday evening session on November 8th.

The evening started with an hour of STEM activities that highlighted how elements of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math apply to roller skating.

Oaks Park Roller Rink STEM Program Coordinator/Educator Milan Woods demonstrates the mechanics and engineering of a roller skate.

“We’re implementing the curated ‘Roller Rink STEM curriculum’ developed by the national Roller Skating Association,” The Oaks’ STEM Program Coordinator, and also the STEM Educator, Milan Woods told East Portland News.

In this introductory session – called The Science of Roller Skating – Woods incorporated the elements of geometry, friction, reverse engineering, and design, while he informed the participants about:

The parts of roller skates and online skates;
How skates function;
How to maintain, and build up a skate; and,
How surfaces in the rink, and how different materials, affect the skate in motion.

Then, participants had the opportunity to showcase their creativity by designing a new feature or design for a roller skate.

Entertaining during the National STEM Day session, it’s rollerblading Erik “The Ace of Blades Magician” Rhodes.

“And special for this evening, we have entertainment with Erik, The Ace of Blades Magician,” Woods pointed out.

Roller Rink STEM & Skate + ‘Sip-n-Skate’ New Year’s Eve
“One our programs is providing field trips for the schools, where students and staff can come and have a two-hour educational session here,” Woods said. “And, we’ve also started sessions for homeschoolers to come and participate, too.

“Plus, coming up on December 30th, the night before New Year’s Eve, we’ll be rolling out our ‘Sip-n-Skate’ program for guests 21 years of age and older, which incorporates science, roller skating, and alcoholic beverage sipping, for adults who so choose.”

To learn more about Oaks Park Roller Rink’s STEM & Skate programs, visit their informative webpage: CLICK HERE.

Comments are closed.