Recent Workshops
Queen’s University
April 2024 - Graduating Class of Future Teachers
An auditorium full of stressed-out, deadline-anxious students were thoroughly engaged as Craig Morrison described to them how he grew the award-winning Oasis Skateboard Factory alternative school out of TDSB’s Arts for Social Change program, engaging students by teaching through skateboards.
Aynne Johnston, coordinator of the Artist in Community Education emphasis at Queen’s University, invited us to speak to Teacher Candidates in that program joined by students from the STEAM+, Technical Education and Social Justice classes. Graduating from their teacher training programs next month, these students are hard-pressed to complete their assignments before year’s end. Craig’s talk gave them the opportunity to relax for a few hours and learn something very much outside the usual academic box.
With colourful images and his personable arts-meets-the-street style, Craig discussed the model he used (skateboard design) to cover subjects across the curriculum to help students at-risk graduate high school!
In his talk titled Push Pedagogy: Designing Youth SK8futures, Craig pushed the audience to reflect on how objects they can make in their future classrooms can connect with and improve the lives of other people, to push against the oppressions students face and push toward inclusive youth futures of social justice, equity and diversity. Craig inspired future teachers to imagine how hands-on learning through materials can promote student success in the school and community.
Following Craig’s talk, Roarockit (Norah and Ted) lead the group through a hands-on skateboard build. Students participated in the gluing and pressing of a Street Deck board in the Thin Air Press. They were able to ask questions and see first-hand the magic of the process and how it impacts student’s lives.
OAEA Conference
April 2024 - Ontario Art Education Association
Finally, face-to-face presentations, discussions and workshops can be done in person! Turnout at this yearly conference was lower than “the old days”, but that allowed all of us to meet in smaller, more intimate groups in both a morning practical hands-on studio workshop and in an afternoon academic presentation linking Roarockit materials and methods to innovative pedagogical approaches.
Taryn, Norah, Ted and Craig were conference presenters from the Roarockit team attending and they also hosted an interactive booth in the vendor area. Our morning workshop featured a custom-tailored talk to teachers about the benefits and challenges of teaching skateboard building as an arts-based program. It also included a hands-on demonstration and discussion on skateboard building, finishing and decorating methods. Craig’s afternoon talk was a deep-dive into his innovative teaching methods linking cross-curricular connections in school to a broader interest in promoting social justice, demonstrating how skateboards can be activated through unique pedagogical approaches out in the community.
Educators in both elementary and secondary schools from across the province were highly engaged in our conference sessions as they start planning their next year of educational programming starting in September. Many expressed interest in implementing Roarockit materials and methods in their own classrooms during their next school year to stimulate student engagement and increase achievement rates.
The Roarockit team really enjoyed this day to grow our global Roarockit learning community and are looking forward to future opportunities to connect.
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