Lab at the Alachua County public library will turn families into inventors
The new Family Invention Lab program sponsored by the Alachua County Library District will give children and adults the opportunity to learn basic coding and engineering techniques this summer.
The programs are curated by the MakerSpace team to encourage discovery, experimentation and hands-on learning with beginner-friendly technology, said Rachel Cook, spokeswoman for the district. Cook said inventors from ages 5 to adults can learn how to write code and engineer contraptions with pocket-sized computers, STEM kits, building straws and more. Programs are designed for children, parents, caregivers and grandparents to work, learn and become inventors together. Children younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult, and a library card is not required to register or attend any program.
“We hope that children and their adults learn and apply science and engineering techniques to become inventors,” Cook said.
The lab started with a kick-off program on May 15, and lab programs will be held at 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Sundays in June, July, and August. The labs will be held in Meeting Room A at the district's headquarters at 401 E. University Ave. The lab dates will be June 12 and 26, July 10 and 24 and Aug. 14 and. 28.
Summer programs: Library district offers in person, online programs for all ages
Free meals for youth: Summer feeding program again to feed children for free
Participants can register per event online by visiting www.aclib.us/invention or www.aclib.us/events.
Cook said patrons should register online to reserve a seat in the labs, and do so at least 12 hours before an event to guarantee admission. Check-in starts 15 minutes before a lab is scheduled to start. Cook said if registered attendees are not present five minutes before the start time, seats may be given away on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The theme for June will be “Animal Engineering,” which Cook said prompts some people to ask what humans can learn from animal adaptations and how humans can rebuild these adaptations.
The theme for July will be “Is It Conductive?” Cook said electricity is the cornerstone of electronics and computing, and inventors will learn to build a game with conductive materials.
The theme for August will be “Storytelling with Color.” Color is a fantastic visual aid and inventors can test how they can use color to tell a story, mark a trail and give signals, Cook said.
Lab participants for the May program shared their enthusiasm during an activity that had them design an alien and a device to communicate with aliens.
Lauren Hertel said she, her five-year old twins and 11-year-old daughter were able to succeed in their activity, working successfully together. She said they received a Kit Box containing everything they would need to accomplish their goal.
“We all contributed equally and that is a rare thing,” Hertel said. “I definitely recommend this program. it’s specific and meant for all ages. We all worked together and came up with a real great project.”
Kyle Pennell and his eight-year- old son Killian worked together, and both agree it was a lot of fun. Killian said he learned about new applications and created alien sounds by using piano notes.
John Naglee and his grandson Noah also worked together.
“It was valuable and we enjoyed doing it together. It gave us time to bond together and increased his knowledge of STEM activities,” Naglee said. “The library facilitators did a very good job.”
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Alachua County Library District's Family Invention Lab helps families learn
