• Case Study
• August 21st, 2025
Hillside Public Schools Case Study
How Hillside Used Electric Skateboards to Transform STEM Learning
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Written by
Luke St. Amand
School:
Location:
Grades:
Program:
Products:
Hillside Public School
Hillside, NJ
Middle School
Hillside Innovation Academy
Lectec Skateboards & Scooters V3, Safety Kits
Overview
Hillside Public Schools in New Jersey is a forward-thinking district committed to preparing students for future success through innovation and hands-on STEM education. In partnership with Lectec, Hillside launched the Create, Skate, Innovate initiative - bringing electric skateboards and scooters into classrooms as tools for students to learn engineering, coding, sustainability, and problem-solving. This program was made possible through the Innovation Grant Fund, with Lectec directly supporting Hillside in writing and co-developing the grant proposal alongside key ecosystem partners including Rutgers, Stevens Institute of Technology, and the Newark STEM Ecosystem.
Why Hillside Chose Lectec
Superintendent Glover captured it best: “What makes Lectec approachable for our students is the hands-on nature of the build process… they love working in groups, being physical, trying new things.” Traditional classroom experiences can feel abstract, especially for students from underrepresented communities in STEM. Hillside needed a program that was tactile, collaborative, and empowering - Lectec delivered just that.
Students built and coded electric vehicles using Lectec’s kits, transforming theoretical concepts into kinetic learning. The ease of use - even for educators without engineering backgrounds - made the program universally accessible. As Lisa Corona, Supervisor of Science, shared, “You don’t need to have a coding background or be an engineering teacher to do it. You just have to have some passion and excitement.”
Students getting ready to ride their electric skateboard with safety gear on.
Program Implementation
Lectec worked closely with Hillside to co-author the successful $20,000 Innovation Grant, customizing the experience to meet district goals around equity, sustainability, and STEM access
The program was piloted through a summer enrichment initiative, where over 50 middle schoolers built and rode electric vehicles while learning real-world STEM applications. During the school year, the initiative expands to include all 7th and 8th grade students at Hillside Innovation Academy, impacting over 100 students annually.
Middle school students riding electric skateboard with help.
Students were immersed in a dynamic, hands-on experience that brought STEM concepts to life. Instead of passively learning from textbooks, they physically built electric skateboards and scooters, connected electronic components, and programmed their boards to move - bridging the gap between theory and action.
The program combines:
•Interactive hardware assembly with real-world tools and components
•Beginner-friendly coding using concepts like loops, conditionals, and logic
•Environmental education, including carbon savings and electric transportation
•Collaborative problem-solving, encouraging teamwork and creative thinking
•Celebratory events, where students showcase their work to families and the school community
Students preparing to take electric skateboard kits outside to ride.
Outcomes
The transformation was immediate. Students who had never considered engineering began expressing excitement about science and STEM careers. As one student put it: “This made me more excited about science - and different types of science.” Educators noticed increased student participation, deeper understanding of scientific principles, and improved confidence in tool use.
The district also engaged families through showcases and created opportunities for professional learning across the ecosystem. The project has become a model that other districts in the Newark STEM Ecosystem are now looking to replicate.
Student riding electric skateboard with help balancing.
Interested in implementing Lectec?
Final Thoughts
Hillside’s partnership with Lectec exemplifies the power of hands-on STEM education to break down barriers and ignite curiosity. From building vehicles to shaping futures, the Create, Skate, Innovate project demonstrates what’s possible when education becomes an experience—not just instruction.
Lectec is more than a kit - it’s a movement. Ready to bring real-world STEM to your district? Book a demo or get a quote and let’s inspire the next generation together.
Luke and middle school student inspecting code of the electric skateboard.
