In 2017 our library received a grant to bring computer coding experiences to Cameron’s youth. Since then we have held multiple coding camps, clubs, and one-day events. We have brought our coding robots to schools, to book clubs, to after school programs, and more. And we have seen kids we taught years ago grow up to be teachers for future generations of coders. We have seen connections made between new friends, teamwork to solve difficult problems, and a new kind of creativity in kids who didn’t consider themselves artistic. We have seen kids find a passion for something that clicks for them like nothing else has. And so when our tech started getting too old to take on some of the projects our coders wanted to try, we asked for help. We are so fortunate that again we have received support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services with LSTA Technology Ladder Grant 2024-LBE4-TLD24-091. Through them, we have purchased eight new laptops capable of 3D modeling and higher-level coding as well as twelve new tablets, allowing us to fully explore the many coding apps available.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
The tech we purchased with this grant, in addition to the support of the University of Missouri Extension - Clinton County 4-H enabled us to host twelve students, ages 8-12, in a week-long coding camp. Students explored robotics and circuitry, radio communications, code based on environmental changes, and more. As an ongoing camp project, the students created their own challenge, determined how to accomplish it, and then problem-solved to fix any issues that arose. Once they completed those challenges, they were encouraged to add more complexity and features. Participants demanded that we host a next-level camp in the future so they could keep going, which of course we agreed to! We can’t wait to see what these coders will do next.
Comments