OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System is working to inspire Oklahoma teens to explore, create and share by celebrating Teen Tech Month throughout March.

 

Metro Libraries will be hosting programs that showcase the technology-based learning available through the library to help teens prepare for college and careers by ensuring they are skilled and ethical technology users. The programs inspire teens to explore science, technology, engineering, art, math and much more.

 

“Libraries are essential in extending learning beyond the classroom and helping our Oklahoma youth prepare for life after graduation. We are proud to offer free programs that teach real-life skills and prepare teens for college and 21st century careers,” system wide teen services manager Emily Williams said.

 

Events will include robotics, coding, circuitry and art themed learning. Attendees will have the opportunity to use technology learning tools including Snap Circuits, Sphero Robots, BristleBots, Raspberry Pi, Paper Circuits and soldering tools.

 

Occupations in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) make up over six percent of all occupations in the United States. Workers in these fields earn higher wages, and degree holders in STEM fields earn 12 percent more than non-STEM degree holders, according to a March 2017 report from the US Department of Commerce.

 

The library recognizes a need for today’s teens to begin learning skills in STEM early. The number of students pursuing degrees in STEM fields has declined but STEM jobs are growing twice as fast as jobs in other fields, according to a Young Adult Library Services Association report.

Teen Tech Month Schedule of Events

 

Choctaw Library

March 7 at 4 p.m. – Family Robotics,

March 21 at 3:30 p.m. – Life-Sized Pac-Man

 

Midwest City Library

March 7 at 4 p.m. – Snap Circuits

March 28 at 4 p.m. – Sphero Robots

 

Northwest Library

March 4 at 6 p.m. - Using the soldering kit to create flashlight keychains

March 11 at 6 p.m. - Creating homopolar motors out of batteries and magnets

March 18 at 6 p.m. - Squishy Circuits

March 25 at 6 p.m. - Robot races using BristleBots

 

Ralph Ellison Library

March 4 at 4 p.m. - Natural Loom Weaving

March 5 at 4:30 p.m. - Coding with Raspberry Pi

March 6 at 4 p.m. - Plastic Fusion: Creating Amazing Designs with Upcycled Plastic Bags

March 7 at 4 p.m. - KEVA Construction Challenge

March 8 at 4 p.m. - Teens Teaching Tech

March 11 at 3 p.m. - Engineering Design: Ziplines

March 13 at 3 p.m. - Arts & Science: Jewelry Tech Design

March 15 at 3 p.m. - KEVA Construction Challenge

March 18 at 3 p.m. - Spaghetti, Anyone? Deep Space Antennae

March 19 at 3 p.m. - Paper Circuits

March 20 at 3 p.m. - KEVA Construction Challenge

March 22 at 2 p.m. - March Madness STEM Challenge

 

 

Oklahoma has seen a 24 percent uptake in STEM employment since 2016, compared to the national STEM employment growth rate of 10 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Metropolitan Library System celebrates Teen Tech Month to spark an interest in Oklahoma teens. The library creates STEM programs that are fun and engaging as well as educational.