Teens learning to build, code during library STEM programs

By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

Kailie May, 13, of Hays, builds a newspaper structure during a STEM activity at the Hays Public Library Thursday.

Teens have been spending their summer learning about science, technology, engineering and math, also known as STEM, at the Hays Public Library.

Youth spent Thursday constructing newspaper towers, which helped the teens learn about engineering principles.

The teens curled newspapers into tubes and then used the tubes to construct triangular supports for towers and other structures.

Two of the towers reached to the ceiling, and it was all held to together by tape.

Vera Haynes, young adult librarian, said another popular STEM activity this summer has been the Code Club.

Students begin working with a basic circuit board. As their skills progress, they graduate to Arduino kits, which are more complicated circuit boards — like something you might find in modern electronics.

“Some of these kids just pick up this stuff and they know what they are doing,” she said. “It is crazy to me.”

Another level exposes youth to basic computer programing. Haynes said about 10 teens in the group have been able to create their own video games similar to the popular Crazy Birds app and another game called Plants and Zombies.

One student has been able to advance to making his own game. In the game the player strikes and breaks a watermelon. As players earns points in the game, they are able to earn new tools to break the watermelons.

The Code Club activities are self-paced, so they can be altered for youth of different ages and skill levels.

Teen activities are open to youth ages 12 or sixth-grade through 18.

Code Club meets at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays. There will not be a meeting this Tuesday due to the Fourth of July holiday.

Other STEM activities in July include Launching Soldiers on July 6, National Snake Day on July 16, Veggie Car Races on July 19, Geocache Scavenger Hunt on July 20, and Cardboard Fort Building on July 26. Activities such as movies and crafts are also available for teens.

The library also has regularly scheduled activities for children 5 and younger and elementary-school aged.

See the library website for a complete schedule.

You can register your child for an activity on the library website or in person the day of the activity with a parent.