We were ecstatic when we found out that we would be receiving funding for Teen Tech Week. We were able to plan a variety of programs that focused on programming, photography/video, and robotics. Our goals were to:
- Reach teens that have little or no technology skills
- Grow the skill level of teens that already have a strong technology skills
- Have teen(s) assist with programming.
A local teen happened to be a tech wizard and helped plan and teach a few of the programs! He was able to connect with the teen participants and many of the younger teens were in awe of his knowledge. He was a great asset to the program and a huge reason the programs were so successful!
We were able to purchase a GoPro (along with accessories), Cubelets, and littleBits. Along with classes, we held drop in sessions for teens to play creatively with the tools on their own. We also encourage the teens to use the GoPro during the other programs to create videos of their projects and learning experiences.
It is truly amazing to see how all of the teens were able to quickly grasp most of the concepts. They were able to understand everything from how numbers flow through Cubelets to drawing shapes and creating games with python! They were able to manipulate the code we produced as a class to put a personal twist on the projects. The most popular programs were the GoPro class and the Python 101 classes.
Due to the number of participants and the number of tools we needed to create small groups to work together on their projects. It was a great opportunity for the teens to work as a team. Having them work in teams encouraged discussion and a new level of creativity!
We were surprised that most of the teens that participated in Teen Tech Week were not from our core group of library teens. A few of them have increased their library usage and are becoming familiar faces. An almost equal amount of girls and boys attended the programs.
The library is planning on providing additional technology based off the teens’ suggestions and interests. It is important to us that we find a way to have the Cubelets, littleBits, and GoPro available for teen use within the library. We are currently reviewing different options on how to do so.
Alexandra Tyle-Annen is the Adult/Teen Services Manager for the Homer Township Public Library in Homer Glen, IL.