Science Channel Features Florida Tech’s Surf Engineering

When producers from the Science Channel came to town last year, they did what most  tourists do. Hit the beach and check out the waves.

But they weren’t there to catch a wave.  Instead they came to document Florida Institute of Technology’s Surf Engineering Analysis course as they gathered data by surfing with specially equipped surfboards.

The class, led by Robert Weaver, associate professor of ocean engineering, was filmed in Melbourne Beach and at Weaver’s lab on the Florida Tech campus as part of the new TV program “Science Works!”

Don’t miss it

The episode first aired February 24. But if you missed it, a second showing will be broadcast March 17 at 8 a.m. on the Science Channel.

Weaver actually had to take a few extra steps to ensure he didn’t miss the show himself.

“I can say that my daughters were really excited to see their daddy on television. But I do not have cable and knowing this, my neighbor recorded the show,” Weaver said. “After watching the episode with my family, I realized how fortunate FIT and I are to have been featured.  The episode did a good job featuring the hands-on, immersive educational experience that can be found at FIT.”

Kick started with the help of funding from the Florida Tech Academic Information Technology Committee mini-grant program, the course involves students learning to use high-tech gear to analyze the motions of surfers and the waves they are riding.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to showcase the course to such a broad audience,” Weaver said. “One of the great things about being a professor here at Florida Tech is that we have the ability to develop unique, hands-on and integrated learning experiences for the students.”

Find the Science Channel on channels 82, 141 and 1265 on Spectrum (formerly Bright House Networks). It is available on channel 193 on Dish Network, 284 on DirecTV and 258 and 1258 on AT&T U-verse.

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