St. Paul Learning LabThis 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 with the St. Paul Public Library, MN from Marika Staloch, Youth Services Coordinator, marika.staloch@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Read More →

Studio conceptual drawingsThis 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 with the Nashville Public Library, TN (http://www.library.nashville.org) from Tari Hughes, President of the Nashville Public Library Foundation, tari.hughes@nashville.gov, and Elyse Adler, Associate Director for Community Engagement at the Nashville Public Library, Elyse.Adler@nashville.gov. Read More →

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.

AnythinkToday 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 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.

Yashiwa Plays_Kansas CityToday we will listen to a conversation about the Learning Lab with Kansas City Public Library, MO in partnership with Science City at Union Station from Andrea Ellis, Learning Lab Project Coordinator.

Some of the highlights of this podcast include:
• Kansas City having over 34,000 digital storytelling jobs and a 7% increase in STEM related careers
• Using a Mad Libs format to elicit feedback and ‘buzzwords’ from teens helping plan the space and activities
• How a mobile component of the Learning Lab would work in the library
• Drawing on the professional community to continue to grow the program
• How prototyping and testing with teens and mentors really made the whole planning of the project all the more exciting
• How adult and youth relationships change through embracing HOMAGO

Kansas City Public Library podcast

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.

Video Game CreationToday we will listen to a conversation about the Rochester Public Library Learning Lab, imagineYOU @ Teen Central from Tonia Burton, Youth Services Consultant.

Some of the highlights of this podcast include:

  • Partnering with the Rochester Teen Film Festival
  • Looking at the big picture which always circles back to what the teens want
  •  How Librarians and non-Librarians (artists/mentors) can work together
  • Igniting all staff with the project
  • Getting teen interest in the HOMAGO experience
  • Adhering to the structure of “making BIG mistakes”
  • What cooking classes have to do with digital media

Rochester Public Library podcast

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.

Carnegie Library
Today, we will listen to a conversation from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Learning Lab in PA with Corey Wittig, Program Manager The Labs @ CLP.

Some of the highlights of this podcast include:

• How their Learning Lab is able to serve the entire system through an artist-in-residence program
• How the Teen Media ‘Labsy’ Awards motivate and acknowledge teens’ creative work
• Grants with the Heinz Endowments, Sprout Fund and Grable Foundation
• Using the skills the teens learn at the library to work in the community through the Hive Learning Network
• Extending the Learning Lab concept as an outreach offering to local schools

Podcast

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.

Science Museum of Virginia logoToday we will read about a Learning Lab with the Science Museum of Virginia (http://www.smv.org/) from Chuck English, Director of Playful Learning and Inquiry, and Matt Baker, Outreach Education Coordinator. Read More →

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 the Madison Children’s Museum from Erin Hoag, Local Treasures Coordinator.

KC: If you have named your Learning Lab, can you share what you are calling it?
EH: The working title is KidShare but that will be changing due to its unpopularity with our audience.

KC: What is the target age for your Learning Lab?
EH: Originally the target age group was middle school youth but we have since reevaluated and any on-site offerings will be geared towards our current audience (12-year-olds and younger). We may still pursue the mobile route with middle school students.

KC: What makes your Learning Lab unique?
EH: Our learning lab is unique in that it is a mobile lab so our options for collaboration with other groups and organizations are unlimited.

KC: What theoretical framework are you applying to help inform the design and activities in the space? How, if at all, does Connected Learning play a role? Read More →

This post is part of a series where YALSA blog 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.

Learning Lab Billings MTToday we will listen to a conversation about the Parmly Billings Learning Lab in MT, from Leslie Modrow, Development Director, Parmly Billings Library Foundation, leslie@billingslibraryfoundation.org and Kathy Robins, Library Information Systems Coordinator, Parmly Billings Public Library, robinsk@ci.billings.mt.us.

Some of the highlights of this podcast include:

• Making the space on their own terms
• How the space can be used to highlight various cultures
• 2014 is the 20th anniversary of Not in Our Town which has significance to Billings, MT
• School credit for using the Learning Lab
• E-line Media-video game challenge
• Difference between a Learning Lab and a Makerspace
• How Connected Learning theory plays out
• Collaborating with the local school district

Parmly Billings Library Learning Lab podcast

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.

Pima for blogToday we will listen to a conversation about the Pima County Public Library (PCPL) Learning Lab, AZ from Jennifer Nichols, Senior Librarian Jennifer.Nichols@pima.gov.

Some of the highlights of this podcast include:

• Finding a balance between creating structure and letting go for a teen driven project
• Working with evaluators that help teach teens how to project plan including making a timeline, writing surveys, and running focus groups
• Developing a partnership with a ‘pay-it-forward’ model programming space
• Downtown Tucson Innovation group
• Creating a ‘youth center’ vs. just a ‘media lab’
• Keeping the space relevant for teens

Pima County Public Library podcast