Thursday, May 2, 2019

April 2019 Experiential Learning Round-Up!

Teen Tech VR wrapped up. We completed our Game Design for Virtual Reality program for teens at all the branches. BG opted out due to refresh. VA (6), TC (4). Our total attendance for the 11 branch programs= 80 teens.

I presented in 3 sessions at OLA-WLA Annual Conference

I also attended the State Library’s Leap Into Science training. We cannot train other staff members but can enlist staff help to run these workshops. FVRL took 2 program kits and have agreed to lead 6 Leap Into Science: Wind activities in the next year.  I anticipate offering this workshop at the Gorge branches as they do not have any trained staff in this curriculum.

We tried out our new Create-a-Chain-Reaction kit, a Program Services STEM kit aimed at kids ages 3-6, at VA’s Explore program. Our SLA facilitated open-ended activity. Parents and their children, ages 3-6, were able to create several unique structures and demonstrated several skills in the design process. The group was engaged for the full program time and Our SLA was impressed with the quick mastery and continued the challenge of the kit materials. Several branches reserved the Create-a-Chain-Rection kit after I sent an email to branch librarians and YS staff announcing the new kit and providing a video on how the kit works.


I found out our Spheros needed a firmware update. I also took the time to create a video after I figured out everything that was wrong with them/what I was doing wrong while trying to use them 😌


We also got a few extra Code-a-Pillar heads to bulk out our kit, so I put together a video for them as well. Probably my favorite coding toy <3



I will continue to create videos to post to the Source page for the Program Services STEM kits that give staff a preview of what they are reserving and/or basic troubleshooting tips. I will also try to send out quarterly emails to staff about the STEM kits to continue driving interest and feedback on needed kits.

District Partnerships
Communications and Marketing created a draft of the public-facing 3D Printing page for the library website. We are calling this page “Maker Tools” to also include information on VA’s sewing machine.

I have finished the 3D printer certification training, incorporating all the feedback received from 3D Printing staff. The training is organized in Niche Academy, but the videos are linked through Youtube to utilize the CC functionality in Youtube (per patron’s request).  The certification is ready to go live to the public as soon as staff are finished reviewing the 3D Printing page.  Per staff request, I updated the 3D printing page on the Source with information on the contacts for each 3D printing branch as well as certification documentation and FAQ. I sent information directly to the 3D printing branches on the upcoming certification. I also identified Tele-Info and LibAnswers librarians as a group who will likely field a lot of questions, so I sent information to them as well. I will send an email to all staff when the 3D printing page is live on the website.

I led another 3D Printer staff training for BG staff during their closure. We trained 10 more staff members, including a few more from VA to create their own 3D models, use Thingiverse to learn more about printing with support and platform adhesion, and basic 3D printer troubleshooting.

The All Staff Day committee continues to plan for the September training. We have secured our keynote speaker and will soon have food and sessions locked down. Our plan is to not meet as a committee in June/July as committee members have a lot of commitments for Summer Reading.

Community Partnerships/Outreach
We participated in York Elementary’s first STEM Night (60 attendees). Participants K-5th grade and their caregivers chose 2 sessions to attend. The Library’s session offered circuit blocks and Edison robots. The Edison robots were acting up, so I spend April testing and troubleshooting. I found a firmware update for them and they seem to be working again.

We participated in Frontier Middle School’s STEM Night (500 attendees). Participants 6th-8th grade and their caregivers were able to interact with each station. The school requested we provide a soldering station. The school provided motors and LEDs and we taught participants how to solder the LED to the motor, then use the motor to generate energy to light up the LED.

I participated as a subject expert on the interview panel for Hillsboro Public Library’s first Collaboratory Coordinator. Hillsboro created this coordinator position to oversee the expansion of their makerspace (sewing, vinyl cutting, 3D printing, miscellaneous maker activities) at the Brookwood branch and the creation of their digital lab (green screen, podcasting, digital art) at the Shute Park branch. 

No comments:

Post a Comment