View Project

G2S Project Code: 2018-IL-81880
State: Illinois
Fiscal Year: 2018
Grantee
MARION CARNEGIE LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Sarah Watkins
Director Phone: 618-993-5935
Director Email: swatkins@marioncarnegielibrary.org
General Information
Title: Project Next Generation: Hack Lab
State Project Code: 19-2024-PNG
Start Date: 07/01/2018
End Date: 08/15/2019
Abstract: Marion Carnegie Library's Project Next Generation (PNG): Hack Lab offered into two technology clubs and introduced technologies to children of low-income families, that otherwise may not be exposed to the concepts. Mentors introduced students, ages 10 to 12, to computer coding during Code Club. In each session, students learned a specific coding function, and then used the function in a coding activity. By the end of the sessions, participants had the knowledge and skills to program coding accessories, like a Sphero Robotic Ball.  Makerspace Club engaged teens, ages 12 to 19, as they learned video production skills such as editing, green screen, 3D printing and story boarding. Using all of these techniques, participants created a video for our final program, the PNG Creation Festival.  This project provided educational opportunities, supported information fluency and lifelong learning; aligned with the federal LSTA priority to expand services for learning and access to information and education resources; and improved learners’ general knowledge and skills.

State Goal: Goal 2: Lifelong Learning.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$19,748.32
$0.00
$0.00
$19,748.32
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
After-school activities
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Code Club
Narrative: During Code Club, children between the ages of 10 to 12 used laptop computers to access the Scratch coding website. Participants were introduced to different coding functions and familiarized with coding language. During 24 weekly sessions Code Club Mentors introduced a specific function, achieved by writing code. The participants were challenged to achieve a specific goal using the function learned. The coding lessons were taught throughout the program and the information was cumulative. Students started the program learning basic coding commands. As a final project they were able to compile the learned information that allowed them to work as a team, to manipulate a Sphero robotic ball through a simple obstacle course.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 120
Number of sessions in program: 24
Average number in attendance per session: 8
Number of times program administered: 1


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 6-12 years
For what economic types: Below Poverty
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: MARION CARNEGIE LIBRARY
Address: 206 SOUTH MARKET STREET
City: MARION
State: IL
Zip: 62959
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 8
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 3
Agree: 5
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 1
Agree: 2
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 2
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 8
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 3
Agree: 5
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Makerspace Club
Narrative: During our Makerspace Club sessions, teens ages 12 to 19 had opportunities to use technology based equipment and software. Through the 15 sessions over nine months, participants learned how to properly produce video projects from start to finish. Makerspace Club sessions were cumulative and allowed the participants to learn more in depth lessons as the sessions progressed. The participants were exposed to Audio and Visual recording and editing equipment and green screen technology. They were exposed to concepts such as production value, stylizing footage, storyboarding, B-roll footage and editing tips and tricks. Makerspace mentors encouraged the teens to combine these learned skills to create imaginative projects.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 15
Average number in attendance per session: 5
Number of times program administered: 1


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 13-17 years
For what economic types: Below Poverty
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: MARION CARNEGIE LIBRARY
Address: 206 SOUTH MARKET STREET
City: MARION
State: IL
Zip: 62959
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Code Club had 15 students learn basic coding skills. On a pre and post evaluation, participants improved their knowledge of coding language by 88%. The majority of the students completed all eleven coding projects. Makerspace Club had 11 unique participants. Mentors taught 87% of participants to utilize three different software programs and run five pieces of equipment.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Through evaluation of Code Club outcomes, the library will be able to offer a larger variety of coding projects, including access to more game like coding equipment. Through the Makerspace evaluation, the library has concluded that offering shorter program sessions to increase the percentage of participants who can complete the program.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Scheduling program planning periods and having multiple mentors made each program progress more efficiently. It also allowed the library to provide higher quality lessons each week.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
Yes
Explain:
Participating staff members and mentors will meet more frequently to evaluate and report back on the progress of each program.
Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
Yes
Explain:
The library will offer shorter sessions with a wider variety of program topics, in order to reach a higher number of participants. The programs will include engaging, hands on activities that will help keep the kids interest in participation. This change is in response to the low number of teens that were able to participate through the entirety of the Makerspace Club program.
Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
Yes
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
Yes
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
Yes
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Project Staff
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Administrative Records
Review Surveys
Participant Observation
Did you collect any media for the data:
Photos
Videos
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Statistical Methods
Qualitative Methods
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
Census – We selected everyone (or every item).
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Pre-post comparison for a reported output or outcome: The Code Club quizzed participants on coding language prior to the sessions, and after the program was completed. . The mentors and library staff that worked with both Code Club and Makerspace Club, observed the level of comfort the students showed working with program equipment and software. These results were reported as the outcomes of this program.
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: coding, makerspace