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June 22, 2017Albany Public Library Youth Program Wins Regional Award
Albany Public Library’s Beat Bots teen robotics workshop series was named Youth Program of the Year by the Upper Hudson Library System.
The selection committee was “very impressed with this program for its creativity and innovative use of technology and for the positive impact that this important program had with your community’s youth population.”
Beat Bots gave more than 150 teens hands-on experience in robotics design, engineering, 3D printing, mechanical assembly and testing, and original coding. Each participant started with a robotic kit purchased with a legislative grant from New York State Assemblymember Patricia Fahy to build their robot. Once completed, the teens choreographed dance routines to perform with their robots. The dance routines were then performed at several public events, allowing the teen designers to show what they learned about science and engineering.
The library regularly incorporates STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) activities into its slate of programming for children and teens. For example, this year’s Summer Reading Program will give youngsters the opportunity to make video game controllers, engineer bridges, learn about the science of sports, and build simple machines.
