Teens Can 3D Print, Design Video Games This Week

Has your teen told you that his or her video game habit is fueled by a desire to work in the video game industry some day?

Put your teenager's money where their mouth is and send them to the Cranston public library this week.

It's Teen Tech Week and libraries throughout the city are participating. Here's what's happening:

3D Printing Workshop in two sessions, Tuesday, March 5 and 12 from 4:00 to 5:30 pm at the Central Library

Discover the new technology taking the world by storm...the question isn't, "What can you make with a 3D printer?" but, "What can't you make?" James Rutter of AS220 will visit CPL on March 5 and 12 to demonstrate how to make three dimensional solid objects from a digital model. Create a model and turn it into a real physical product you can take home. How cool is that? In session one, you become familiar with the 3D printer and create your own design to print. In session two, you learn to set up the printer and print a 3D model. This program is open to those in grades 6 to 12. Call 401-943-9080 X 5 or email tech@cranstonlibrary.org for more information or to register. Space is limited, so register early.

Check in @ your Library Teen Tech Week promotion at the Auburn Branch from Monday, March 10-March 16. Any teen that comes into the library and "checks in" with the Children's Librarian will be entered into a raffle to win a Best Buy gift card! Plus receive a sweet treat for using one of the library's great technology services such as downloading an audiobook or 3-books, tutor.com, or using a database to find information. Open for grades 5-12 any time the library is open. 

“Words As Art” Contest Teens, Check in @ your library Teen Tech Week, from Monday, March 11 to Saturday, March 16 at the William Hall Library or the Central Library anytime the library location is open.Young people in grades 5 to 12 are invited to come into the library to create a work of art using either the website for Tagxedo, to create a Word Cloud, or to go old school, and use old catalog cards to create works of art using words.

The artworks may be entered into a contest in which teens vote for their favorite creation. Voting will take place the week following Teen Tech Week (March 16-23).  The creation, which received the most votes will be framed and hung in the library. The creator of the artwork will receive a prize to take home. 

For information call the Megan Weeden at the William Hall Library 781-2450 or Linda Archetto at the Central Library 943-9080 X 121 

Video Game Design WorkshopCranston Public Library has partnered with the Institute of Museum and Library Services to offer a video game design workshop for teens. The event is part of the National STEM Video Game Challenge, which aims to engage youth in STEM learning and develop 21st century skills in a fun way. The three-hour, hands-on workshop will take place at the Auburn Branch Library on Friday March 15, 2013 from 2:30-5:30 pm. 

The workshop participants will learn how to use Gamestar Mechanic, a game-based learning platform and curriculum that teaches the principles of game design as a form of 21st century skill development in a highly engaging and creative environment. The Gamestar Mechanic platform taps into the natural passion that youth have for playing and making games and helps them develop the technological, artistic, cognitive, social and linguistic skills that they will need to thrive in the present and future.  

The event is free and open to students in grades 5-12. Space is limited. Call 401-781-6116 or email tech@cranstonlibrary.org to sign up.

For more information on the National STEM Video Game Challenge: http://stemchallenge.org/