The Make A Deck Challenge is a creative art and design experience where students transform a wooden skateboard deck into a one of a kind piece of visual storytelling. This is a Bring It challenge, meaning students create their work at home or in the classroom over several weeks and then bring their finished piece to the Festival to be displayed and celebrated. There are no step by step directions and no example designs. The focus is on imagination, personal style, and student voice.
Students may work independently or in small teams of up to three. All design, building, and decorating must be done by the students themselves. Adults are welcome to encourage and cheer, but the creative work belongs entirely to the students. This sense of ownership is central to the challenge and helps students build confidence in their ideas and artistic decisions.
Each student or team receives a wooden skateboard deck along with wooden trucks and wheels. These elements must be included in the final artwork, but the deck is display only and is not meant to be functional or rideable. Beyond those core pieces, students are free to use a wide range of safe, school appropriate materials. Paint, markers, lights, textures, fabric, mixed media, and recycled objects are all welcome. Students are encouraged to look beyond traditional art supplies and explore unexpected materials that help bring their vision to life.
The challenge window typically spans four to eight weeks, giving students time to sketch ideas, gather materials, experiment, revise, and refine. There are no strict size or weight limits as long as the finished piece can be carried into the Festival and placed safely on a display table. Finished decks must be sturdy, safe to handle, and comfortable to display in a public gallery space.
At the Festival, completed decks are displayed together as part of an art gallery experience. Students are invited to share what inspired their design and to explore the wide range of styles and ideas created by others. The emphasis is on expression, originality, and celebration rather than competition.
The Make A Deck Challenge exists to remind students that art does not need instructions to be meaningful. As long as the provided wooden parts are used and the piece sits safely on the table, the student has succeeded. Every deck tells a story. Every style is valid. And every student leaves knowing that their imagination is enough.
1. How to Use the Slide Presentation
On this page you’ll find a link to the Make-A-Deck Challenge PPT.
You don’t need to instruct them. Simply walk through the information, answer questions if they ask, and let their imagination start moving.
2. What This Challenge Is
Students receive:
• A wooden skateboard deck.
• Wooden trucks and Wooden wheels
They use these parts to create a display-only art piece.
They may not make a functional skateboard and may not use real skateboard hardware.
Every style, every theme, and every approach is welcome as long as the final piece is safe and school appropriate.
This is an open-ended creativity challenge. Students choose their materials, their direction, and their techniques.
3. What Your Student May Use
Students may use:
• Paint
• Tape
• Markers
• Glue
• Lights
• Fabric
• Found objects
• Recycled materials
• Mixed media
• Sculpted elements
• Any safe, school-appropriate supplies
We intentionally do not provide examples, because we want every design to be original.
4. What Adults May Not Do
This is the most important part of our Bring-It events.
Adults may not:
• Build
• Cut
• Paint
• Decorate
• Glue
• Plan the design
• Sketch the design
• Suggest the “best way” to do something
Students must create every part of the project themselves.
You may:
• Provide materials
• Offer encouragement
• Help clean up
• Remind them of guidelines
• Celebrate their effort
• Transport the project
Your role is supportive, not instructional.
5. Timeframe
All work must be completed during the official challenge window, usually 4 to 8 weeks before the festival.
Nothing made outside this window may be used.
6. Safety and School Guidelines
All projects must be:
• Safe to carry and touch
• Sturdy enough for gentle handling
• Clean and dry
• School appropriate in theme and message
• Able to sit safely on the display table
There are no size or weight limits beyond this simple guideline:
If your family can carry it into the festival and place it on the table without assistance, it’s allowed.
This rule keeps things playful without requiring strict measurements.
7. What Happens at the Festival
On festival day:
- Your student brings their completed deck
- Volunteers help place it in the art gallery display
- Students can share what inspired them
- Families and other teams walk through the gallery
- Everyone celebrates creativity and original ideas
Some festivals include voting or recognition, but the purpose is not competition.
The purpose is expression.
8. How to Support Your Student
You can support them by:
• Asking about their ideas
• Listening to their excitement
• Helping them gather safe materials
• Reminding them they are in charge of the design
• Encouraging them to try things, even if they’re unsure
• Making space for them to experiment and change their mind
You don’t need to fix mistakes or make the project look “perfect.”
The heart of this challenge is exploration, not perfection.
9. Important Reminders
• Students must use the wooden deck and parts provided
• They must create the project themselves
• Everything must follow school guidelines
• Projects must be safe and sturdy
• There is no “right way” to design a deck
• This challenge is about creativity, not competition
10. Final Encouragement
Thank you for helping your student participate in the Make-A-Deck Challenge.
Your support helps them feel confident enough to try big ideas, make bold choices, and take pride in something that comes entirely from their imagination.
If you have questions about accessibility, safety, or participation, the LV STEAM League team is always here to help.
We can’t wait to see what your student creates.