This post is part of a series where YALSAblog takes a closer look at Learning Lab grantees from museums and libraries to learn how they engage middle and high school youth in mentor-led, interest-based, youth-centered, collaborative learning using digital and traditional media.†To read more about the context of the Learning Labs, visit the first post in the series here.
Today we will read about a Learning Lab with Anythink Wright Farms branch in CO from Mo Yang, Studio Guide. Read More →
This post is part of a series where the YALSAblog takes a closer look at Learning Lab grantees from museums and libraries to learn how they engage middle and high school youth in mentor-led, interest-based, youth-centered, collaborative learning using digital and traditional media.†To read more about the context of the Learning Labs, visit the first post in the series here.
Today we will read about a Learning Lab in Oregon, which is a partnership with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Multnomah County Library with Kristin Bayans, Senior Educator, OMSI, kristinb@omsi.edu and Sara Ryan, Teen Services Specialist, MCL, sryan@multcolib.org. Read More →
This post is part of a series where the YALSAblog takes a closer look at Learning Lab grantees from museums and libraries to learn how they engage middle and high school youth in “mentor-led, interest-based, youth-centered, collaborative learning using digital and traditional media.†To read more about the context of the Learning Labs, visit the first post in the series here.
Today we will listen to a conversation about the Philadelphia Free Library Foundation Learning Lab from K-Fai Steele (pronounced Kay-F+eye), Teen Programming Specialist SteeleK@freelibrary.org. Read More →
In response to President Obama’s ‘Educate to Innovate‘ campaign in 2010, in order to improve student’s participation and performance in STEM, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and MacArthur Foundation teamed up to offer planning and design grants to libraries and museums throughout the country. “The Labs are intended to engage middle- and high-school youth in mentor-led, interest-based, youth-centered, collaborative learning using digital and traditional media.â€
YALSAblog contacted all of the grantees to learn more about these exciting plans and partnerships with their organization. While the details for each place varied, especially by incorporating the local significance to the services and programs, there were several aspects that were pretty uniform across the board. Some of these tenets include the importance of teen input, mentorship (peer and adult), Connected Learning, principles of HOMAGO and of course over-the-moon enthusiasm for supporting teens and giving them all opportunities to become successful adults.
Today we will read about the Dallas Learning Lab in Texas which is a partnership with the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science from Nicole Stutzman Forbes, Chair of Learning Initiatives and Dallas Museum of Art League Director of Education (nstutzman@dallasmuseumofart.org). Twitter: @nicstutzman Read More →
by Donna Block
Ideally, tech programs in our libraries aren’t confined to one week in March. Two different programs I attended recently have filled me with hope and ideas for hosting hands-on tech programs throughout the year.
The first program was YALSA’s’ Maker Spaces 101′ webinar on February 7, featuring Hillary Kolos of’ the’ DreamYard Project‘ in the Bronx. The’ second was LACONI’s Participatory Spaces workshop‘ held at Oak Park Public Library on February 22, featuring Steve Teeri of the’ HYPE Teen Center‘ in Detroit.’ HYPE offers programs ranging from bicycle maintenance to electronics and robots. DreamYard offers training in graphic and web design, digital photo and video, music and audio production in addition to more traditional crafts. Read More →
There have already been several posts on this blog about Maker Spaces. Remember this one‘ from October where blogger Candice Mack describes her own experience at getting more familiar with the Makerscene?
Among up-and-coming Maker Spaces, one new kid on the block is Chicago Public Library. I had a chance to speak with Ruth Lednicer, Director of Marketing on Press, on plans for their new hands-on learning environment. If you will be attending ALA’s upcoming annual conference‘ this June, you should get a sneak peak if you visit the Harold Washington Library, the central library for the Chicago Public system.
Let’s take a look to see how this space will work and who the audience will be! Read More →
A makerspace (sometimes also referred to as a hackerspace, hackspace or hacklab) is a location where people with common interests, often in computers, technology, science, electronics, engineering, and/or digital or electronic art, can connect, create and collaborate. Makerspaces can be viewed as open community labs incorporating elements of machine shops, workshops, and/or studios where hackers and makers come together to share resources and knowledge to build and make things.
Many libraries have embraced the maker movement and have incorporated makerspaces into the services they provide as they both encourage community building, skill sharing, participatory learning and the concepts of scientific and technological savvy as 21st century literacies.
In the past year and a half or so, encouraged by my fiance who is a hardware prototyper by day and a hackerspace member as a hobby, I’ve gotten involved in Null Space Labs (NSL), a hacker/makerspace for adults a few blocks from the library where I work. Some of the cool projects that NSL members have worked on include trying to create a theremin and a quadrotor helicoptor robot from scratch.’ At NSL, I learned how to solder LEDs to a circuitboard. The device I made is called a Cylon because the LEDs are reminiscent of characters from the original Battlestar Galactica TV series. While the Cylon is kind of small and doesn’t do very much, I felt amazingly empowered knowing that I now had the ability to make an electronic device work. It was definitely the kind of feeling that I wanted to share with patrons of all ages, but especially with my teens.
Through my interactions at NSL and after hosting two popular programs – one featuring a local high school robotics club and another showcasing a friend from Blizzard Entertainment who spoke about careers in gaming, I started thinking more seriously about how to cultivate science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) programs and spaces in the library. Read More →
“Transforming Libraries and Museums into 21st Century Learning Labs: In partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation will fund the creation of 30 new hands-on learning YouMedia centers across the country” according to a press release issued today. Read More →
