Teen Tech Lab
When Kristin Heifner was responsible for teen programming at Volusia County Public Library, she noticed a couple of things.
- Many teen patrons seemed uncomfortable and unfamiliar with technology
- During the school year, fewer teens attended programs
So Heifner developed a tech lab for teens to experiment and learn technology skills.
The library partnered with various organizations to draw in teens who weren’t coming to the library or seeing their event notices.
The lab gave teens a fun, low-pressure way to learn:
- Basic coding
- Circuitry
- Other tech skills
Participating teens had the opportunity to show off their skills when the library launched its new makerspace, the Launch Pad, in September, 2015.
Though Heifner now works at a different library branch thanks to a promotion, the Launch Pad’s programming incorporates the lessons she used in her project.
“It is enjoyable passing along the excitement you feel for a project and hoping it gains a longer life through someone else,” she says.
