SUMMER OF
Library Makerspace & STEM Classes Engage Tweens & Teens eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS
A tween selects materials to build with in the library’ s“ Building Blocks of Engineering” STEM class.
A Keva plank construction helps kids learn about principles of physics, geometry, and architecture.
26 PETERS TOWNSHIP
“ Duplicate your shape and flip it over the Y-axis before you use the group tool,” says Sarah Quinn, Technology and Makerspace Librarian at the Peters Township Public Library, leaning over the tween’ s computer to take a look at the object he’ s modeling in Tinkercad.
The tween completes the task and exclaims“ Oh!” as the instruction clicks in his head, and his phone stand starts to take shape.
Less than an hour later, the tween— and the rest of his peers in this 3D Modeling class at the library— have completed a crash course in the constructive solid geometry method of building 3D models and have custom-designed their own phone stands, which they’ ll pick up once the 3D models are done printing.
“ Tweens and teens always amaze me with their ability to pick up STEM skills rapidly and work through challenges,” says Quinn.
Since she joined the library staff in 2023, Quinn has been incorporating more and more youth STEM offerings into the library’ s programming, along with Youth Services Technician Sarah Lawrence, who often team-teaches with Quinn or holds her own STEM-oriented classes.
The library offers a variety of different tween- and teen-specific STEM and Technology programs, including 3D printing, 3D modeling, 3D pen art, teen sewing, and Cricut classes— and the programs continue to grow.
“ This summer is an especially great time for kids to come to the library and take a STEM or Makerspace class,” says Quinn, who is offering nine programs in June and July alone for tween and teens— including Paper Engineering and the Building Blocks of Engineering, in partnership with area middle-school STEM teacher and Peters Township resident Matt Henderson.
Quinn also notes that programs aren’ t the only way to access the Makerspace this summer. Teens( 13 and up) are welcome to