Remake Learning Days 2019 is just around the corner! This exciting time in May gives Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh the opportunity to highlight the STEAM programs we offer year round for children and teens. From Little Learners to Labs Workshops, the Library offers many ways to geek out with creative technology and engage in fun learning experiences. While most librarians may not be experienced coders, we are experts in engaging children, teens and families in literacy and learning using all sorts of materials including new tech and apps.
Literacy and learning is what we do! At the Library we think of coding as another literacy we work with to support hands-on activities. Year round, kids, teens and families can pop in and maybe make a mess painting with Sphero SPRK robots or try building mini lanterns using paper circuitry. With summer fast approaching, it’s important to keep learning and exploring, and we have the technology that keeps brains discovering new things to combat summer learning loss.
This May during Remake Learning Days, CLP will be highlighting our awesome coding programs that will also be taking place all summer long! Of course, our big event for this time of year is Codefest Jr. taking place on Saturday, May 18th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at CLP – Main. Codefest Jr. offers hands-on exploration of activities and technology that support critical thinking skills. At Codefest we give children, teens and families a whole new view of what computer science can be. This year we will be providing activities for all ages. Preschoolers can crowd around the Lego Coding Express and enjoy all the skills development of building a train track and playing with Legos but with an added element—coding their train! Screen free coding activities are readily available and we will be providing some time for little ones to play with Blue-Bots and Cubettos, adorable robots that teach pre-coding.
For older kids, check out our activities on the second floor. This year we’re joined by our good friends from assemble, Center for Creative Reuse and Girls of Steel. Kids and teens will be able to explore Hummingbird robotics kits, design stunts with Sphero SPRK or make a data zine—because at the Library coding gets creative, messy and daring!
In addition to Codefest Jr. six locations will be hosting Little Learners: Coding Concepts. In this literacy based program, preschoolers will listen to stories about patterns and sequences, sing songs and get to explore tech and tech free learning through play. Librarians will provide playful opportunities to explore with sorting toys, coding robots and early math games.
School age children will have the chance to explore the new Hummingbird Bit kits at CLP – Downtown & Business and CLP – Hill District. CLP – Hazelwood and CLP – West End will teach kids how to make their own video game controllers using Makey Makey. At CLP – South Side journey into augmented reality in a variety of activities. Most CLP locations are offering Remake Learning Days programs in May, and these programs are just a preview of our STEAM offerings available all year round, especially during the summer months when kids are out of school.
The robots are taking over and they’ll be here all summer! Explore a full list of our Remake Learning Days events here. Check in with your local librarian to find out what cool tech activities they will be offering this summer.
Kristin is the Digital Learning Lead Librarian at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. She enjoys embroidery, feminist children’s literature and strong female protagonists! When not corralling robots at the Library you will find her hanging out with her dogs Iggy and Fritz.