It’s a lucky, planned coincidence that the Wilton Library is kicking things into high gear with their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs and Innovation Station initiatives, specifically tailored for teens, beginning this Thursday, Nov. 20, when Wilton schools begin early dismissal. In fact you might say they’re going “full STEM ahead” (pun intended).

The Library is introducing several single- and multi-session classes over the next two weeks. These include “Tinker Time for Teens;” Robotics sessions for 5-6 graders and 7-8 graders on Saturday, Nov. 22, where kids program the robots; plus a 6-part coding session for the same age range starting now and continuing through the winter. (see below for full schedule)

“In the community as a whole, people are very excited about being introduced to all sorts of various STEM technologies, and it’s great. It’s growing more and more,” says Susan Lauricella, who both heads up Teen Services at the Library as well as coordinates the Maker Space. “The teens who come in are very excited.”

Lauricella explained that the “Tinker Time” is open time on Thursday and Monday, for students 13-and-older. “It’s kind of like a sandbox for teens, and just test out, touch, see what we have,” she says.

It’s also something that Library staff is encouraging parents to tap into, for themselves but also for their children. “We want the parents to know what we offer. Anything STEM these days is really big, and I think for future opportunities, having any knowledge of these technical tools is going to help most kids,” Lauricella adds.

Among the technology available through the Innovation Station is a 3D printer; a VHS-to-DVD converter; a die-cutter (to make cards, scrapbooking materials and iron-on letters); soldering stations; a sewing machine that can do embroidery and monogramming; a scanner to convert slides and film to digital files; manga software (for creating comics and animation); and software for photo editing, video editing and garage band music editing.

“There are all sorts of online tutorials which, through the Library, they can use and learn about all sorts of technical tools and software,” Lauricella says.

If parents have questions about how to get their teens (ages 13-years-and-up) introduced to any of the materials, they are welcome to reach out to Lauricella or Mary Anne Franco (assistant director, technology and training) via email at innovation@wiltonlibrary.org.

In addition the Library is introducing a Youth Maker program, which is part of the national “Young Makers Club” program. “It was started as a collaboration between Make, Pixar, and Exploratorium,” Lauricella explains. “It’s for teens in grades 7-11. We’ll train them on all sorts of different tools we have available, and bring in mentors, do a number of different project incorporating these different tools and materials. Once they’ve gotten their hands wet, they’ll come up with a project to work on with another student or the whole team. It could be a dollhouse that lights up, it could be a musical instrument that incorporates some sort of technology, it’s up to them and whatever they’re interested in.”

The projects will be shared with the public at an “Innovation Day” the Library will be hosting on May 30.

Pictured above:  Two students from the WLA Robotics Team (Singularity Technology) working on their robot in the Innovation Station.  (l-r) Daniel Cui and Charlie Higgins. 

Wilton Library’s Technology sessions for the remainder of November
Thursday, Nov. 20 and Monday, Nov. 24 Tinker Time for Teens, 1 – 5 p.m.

Want to learn how to print a phone case, earrings or figurine? Test out circuitry? Make gift cards? Electronically embroider a t-shirt? Stop in during our open Tinker Time for Teens and check out our: 3D Printer, Arduino kits, Soldering Equipment, Die Cutter, Duct Tape Crafts, Electronic Sewing Machine, Snap & Squishy Circuits and 3D Doodler Pen. For Middlebrook students (ages 13+) and high school students. No registration necessary, but please bring a signed Innovation Station Form.

Saturday, Nov. 22 Intro to Robotics with Lego Mindstorms, 10 – noon

Enter the exciting world of robotics! This will be a hands-on class where students in grades 5 – 7 will learn to program a robot using the easy-to-learn yet powerful EV3 programming software. Students program a robot to navigate an obstacle course and complete various challenges that teach the fundamentals of computer programming along with mathematical concepts in a fun and exciting way. Students will work in pairs and a laptop and a robot will be provided to each pair. Students in grades 5-7. Taught by Vladimir Mariano, President of the Fairfield County Makers Guild.  Limited space and registration required. No programming experience necessary.  Sponsored by the Amadeo Family Fund. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on Events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 243.

Saturday, Nov. 22 Intro to Robotics for Teens, 1 – 3 p.m.

Enter the exciting world of robotics! This will be a hands-on class where students will learn to program a robot using ROBOTC – the premiere robotics programming language for educational robotics and competitions. ROBOTC is a C-Based Programming Language with an Easy-to-Use Development Environment. Students program a robot to navigate an obstacle course and complete various challenges that teach the fundamentals of computer programming along with mathematical concepts in a fun and exciting way. Students will work in pairs and a laptop and robot will be provided to each pair. For students in grades 8-12. Taught by Vladimir Mariano, President of the Fairfield County Makers Guild.  Limited space and registration required. No programming experience necessary. Sponsored by the Amadeo Family Fund. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on Events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 243.

Saturday, Nov. 22 Introduction to 3D Printing, 2 – 3 p.m.

Interested in learning the basics of how to use our new 3D printer, the MakerBot Replicator 2X? If so, join us for a one-hour group demonstration. Afterwards, you can sign up for an individual session and make your own 3D object! For ages 13 – 113. Must have a valid CT Library card and signed Innovation Station Agreement Form. Please bring the completed form to the workshop. Space limited to 12 students per session. Registration required. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on Events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 213.

Saturday, Nov. 22 Introduction to Tinkercad 3D Design, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Have you already taken our Intro to 3D Printing class and looking for more? Let us introduce you to Tinkercad, an easy-to-use tool for creating your own digital designs with our 3D printer. For ages 13-113. Must have already attended the Intro to 3D Printing, have a valid CT library card and signed Innovation Station Agreement form on file. Limited space. Registration required. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on Events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 213. 

Sunday, Nov. 23 Coding with Khan for 5th and 6th Graders, 2 – 3 p.m.

Students in grades 5-6 interested in learning the basics of coding, can join us for six sessions (11/23, 12/7, 12/14, 1/11/15, 1/25/15 & 2/1/15). Two high school computer science students will work with the group and guide them through various online coding programs. Registration is required. Limited space. Supported by the Amadeo Family Fund. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on Events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 243.

Sunday, Nov. 23 Coding with Khan for 7th and 8th Graders, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Students in grades 7 – 8 interested in learning the basics of coding, can join us for six sessions (11/23, 12/7, 12/14, 1/11/15, 1/25/15 & 2/1/15). Two high school computer science students will work with the group and guide them through various online coding programs. Registration is required. Limited space. Supported by the Amadeo Family Fund. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on Events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 243.

Wednesday, Dec. 10 Breaking Code: Create What’s Behind Angry Birds and Other Fun Apps – A One-Hour Entertaining Lesson in Coding, 1 – 6:30 p.m.

Breaking Code is coming in December. This was the very popular coding class where you can learn the basics of coding by experimenting with Angry Birds and others. This will be open to kids ages 6 and above through adults.

Wilton Library is joining Computer Science Education Week, a national movement to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). One-hour “lessons” in coding will be given throughout the afternoon for adults and children 6 years and up at the following intervals: 1 – 2 p.m., 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., 4 – 5 p.m. and 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Participants can bring their own devices and sit in on any of the sessions. A short introduction to the online class will be given at the start of each hour. Attendees can participate at their own speed on their own devices, or use one of the computers set up by the library expressly for this purpose. Registration is required so that the library knows how many computers are needed each hour. Computer Science Education Week, Dec. 8 – 14, 2014 is sponsored by Code.org, a non-profit dedicated to growing computer programming education. Join us for an hour of fun as we peek behind the coding curtain together! We encourage kids and parents, friends, or anyone with a “How’d they do that?” curiosity. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on Events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 213.

Starting in January, Youth Maker Program

Teens in grades 7-11, join our youth maker program, part of the national Young Makers Club, which was started in 2010 as a collaboration between Make, Pixar, and Exploratorium. Makers comprise a community of creative and technical people that help one another bring ideas to life. The Maker movement is all about innovation, invention, imagination and creativity. Maker clubs are growing all over the country and the world in spaces brimming with enthusiasm, passion, encouragement and collaboration.

Be part of our community and work with mentors in our Innovation Station to design and create an open-ended project culminating in the opportunity to share and exhibit at a showcase event at the end of May. Participants will be introduced to 3D printing, soldering, Arduino, coding, electronic sewing and other tinkering tools with the goal of creating their own self-directed project. Projects might include electronic wearables, interactive games, furniture, electronic gadgets, motorized design, light-up jewelry, musical instruments., etc.

We encourage any teen from 7th-11th grade who is interested in tinkering, learning and creating to join us. We’ll meet from the end of January until the end of May on the following dates: 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20 & 5/30