• Case Study

• Jan 28, 2025

City College of New York STEM Institute Partners with Lectec to Transform After School STEM Learning

Building STEM Skills Through Electric Skateboard Engineering and Real-World Applications

View Homepage

Written by

Jared Ebersole

School:

Location:

Grades:

Program:

Products:

City College of New York STEM Institute

New York, NY

High School

After School

Lectec Skateboards V2, Safety Kits, STEM Curriculum

Overview

The STEM Institute at City College of New York (CCNY), established in 1992 as a bridge program for high school seniors entering college, has a long-standing reputation for providing unique and enriching STEM opportunities. In collaboration with Lectec, the STEM Institute has introduced an innovative, hands-on learning experience that equips students with critical STEM skills while inspiring creativity and real-world problem-solving.

Why CCNY Chose Lectec

STEM education can be challenging for students to grasp; often leaving them disconnected from course materials. Traditional teaching methods in schools can make the subject too abstract, making it harder for some students to engage. This lack of connection can lead to disinterest in STEM. Recognizing this challenge, CCNY sought to create a more tangible and exciting learning experience for students. That’s where we came in.

At Lectec, we believe meaningful education comes from learning by doing. Our hands-on approach immerses students in interactive learning experiences where they design, build, and test electric vehicles while exploring core concepts such as engineering, coding, and physics. This approach connects theory with real-world application, making STEM concepts come alive in a way that lectures and textbooks simply cannot.

Students riding electric skateboards at CCNY; Luke helping student with board

Program Implementation

Our first day at CCNY began with surveys and discussions for students to connect STEM concepts with real-world applications. Students explored different engineering fields, brainstormed skateboard designs, and built foundational skills through hands-on challenges like paper airplane competitions and material prototyping. As they progressed, they transitioned into hardware assembly, installing trucks, wheels, and electronic components while learning about physics, energy systems, and sustainability. By working directly with battery chemistry, brushless motors, and microcontrollers, we were able to help them gain a deeper understanding of electric transportation.

Four students building electric skateboard together.

We also introduced entrepreneurial elements, guiding students through product development, supply chains, and pitching ideas, culminating in a Shark Tank-style competition. Learning entrepreneurial skills is important because it teaches students how to think critically, problem-solve creatively, and understand the business side of innovation, all essential qualities for future engineers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in any field. Students completed the experience with a sustainability lesson, learning about carbon emissions and energy efficiency, before taking their electric skateboards on a test ride, applying everything they learned.

Two students pitching their ideas to the class and Luke

Outcomes

The transformation was immediate. Students who once struggled to connect with STEM now found themselves fully engaged, excited to explore the world of engineering. Many reported that hands-on learning made complex concepts easier to understand, with confidence in using tools increasing by

27%. Interest in STEM careers surged by 20%, as students saw firsthand how their skills could translate into real-world applications. The program’s impact extended beyond the STEM Institute when Professor Kapoor, who taught portions of the STEM lessons, enjoyed our physics segment so much that he saw its potential for his own classroom and requested a skateboard kit for his students. The program’s success has paved the way for an expansion into middle schools, ensuring that younger students can benefit from the same immersive experience.

Students waiting outside with skateboard and helmets.

Interested in implementing Lectec?

Final Thoughts

As the world continues to embrace digital and hardware technologies, programs like Lectec's offer a vital bridge between education and real-world application. The partnership with CCNY’s STEM Institute demonstrates the transformative potential of hands-on STEM education to inspire students to innovate, create, and envision the future.

Lectec is not just a product—it’s an experience that prepares the next generation of engineers and innovators. Are you ready to transform your STEM program? Book a demo or get a quote today and see how we can electrify the future of STEM together!

Students at CCNY riding electric skateboards outside

Kits

Electric Skateboard

view kit

Electric Scooter

view kit

+ More Coming Soon

SUGGEST a kit