Students at a Sudbury elementary school built hoverboards as part of a hands-on learning project.

Recently, Grade 5 classes at St. David’s Catholic Elementary School were grouped into teams of five and, with the help of staff, were able to build five hoverboards in three hours.

Recently, Grade 5 classes at St. David’s Catholic Elementary School were grouped into teams of five and, with the help of staff, were able to build five hoverboards in three hours. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News)

“The goal of the project was to get children to deepen what they learned in class in mathematics and science, outside the classroom, in real contexts,” said teacher Louis Mailloux.

“I hope that when they go to high school, they want to explore the trades, maybe take a trades class or participate in a co-op program.”

Mailloux, who also has experience in carpentry, came up with the idea while looking for science, technology, English and math (STEM) projects.

“I came across another project in the United States. It’s called the Hoverboard Project,” he explained. “They are traveling across the United States and doing a similar project with fifth graders. »

Last year, St. David’s received a $3,000 grant from the Desjardins Foundation, paid to schools to promote hands-on learning. The grant was used to purchase the equipment, which cost approximately $1,500.

Recently, Grade 5 classes at St. David’s Catholic Elementary School were grouped into teams of five and, with the help of staff, were able to build five hoverboards in three hours. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News)

“We basically took a piece of plywood, some vapor barrier and a leaf blower,” he explains. “The leaf blower pushes into the vapor barrier, which pushes against the wood in the floor to create a friction-free environment. And that’s what keeps students flying around the gymnasium. They are only a few millimeters from the ground. But it is precisely this air pressure that eliminates friction.

Student Mckenzie Norman said she enjoyed the entire project from conception to completion.

“It was a lot of fun. It went through the entire gym,” she said. “We were able to build most of it ourselves. »

Student Andrew Akero said he enjoyed building something with his friends.

“I enjoyed building it with my group and having fun with my group,” he said.

Mailloux said he would like to make the hoverboard project a core part of his agenda for years to come. He added that he hopes other schools hear about the concept and use it so other students can benefit.