I’ve been a long-time fan of an organization called Skateistan, an award winning NGO focused on empowering and educating youth through skateboarding. Skateistan is building a new facility in Johannesburg, South Africa, and asked me to collaborate on a mobile skateboard science parklet similar to a parklet at the Exploratorium. They had an existing relationship with Sci-Bono, the largest science center in South Africa, and I was due for a sabbatical, so our three organizations began planning to build the parklet together. The following images describe the final stages of building and opening the parklet in Johannesburg.
Skateistan Geography lesson before skating
After class, students make a mad-dash for pads and skateboards
Skateistan student learning to ride the mini-ramp
Training the Sci-Bono and Skateistan educators on the Skatebaord Science exhibits
Sci-Bono shop staff helped make the Skateboard Science Parklet
Driving the Parklet to the Sci-Bono lobby
Opening the Skateboard Science Parklet
Using the Wheel Hardness Xylophone
Skateistan teaching young skaters in the Sci-Bono lobby
Skateistan South Africa staff
"Siyabonga" means "Thank You" in Zulu.