Teen Ignite returns with more art-focused workshops
Teens will once again unite for another year of high-energy, hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics workshops as Teen Ignite returns for its second year from noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at 95th Street Library.
From stop motion animation and drone technology to comic book writing and a steelband performance, this year's free event will showcase about 12 local organizations involved with Teen Ignite, many of whom are volunteering their time and expertise to lead a variety of workshops.
"Feedback from last year's program asked us to include the arts, so we are including music and writing sessions at this year's event," Alison Colman, teen services librarian, said. "STEAM and STEM programming are becoming large parts of curriculum and afterschool programming. The library wants teens to see the endless possibilities in fields that they might not otherwise have been drawn to."
This year's keynote speaker will be Chicago native Ben Edwards, an action sports enthusiast who won the spot as official reporter for the Nitro Circus USA Tour. Nitro Circus is an "action sport collective" of thrill seekers who travel around the world riding dirtbikes, base jumping and performing stunts, which also launched into a TV show and tour. Edwards' one-minute adrenaline-rushed video submission to Nitro Circus landed him his dream job of traveling across America reporting on action sporting events, hitting nine U.S. states in a single month.
"We wanted someone dynamic who could amp up the crowd and also serve as an inspiration for teens," Colman said. "Ben was able to achieve his dreams by applying for DreamJobbing and is now a tour reporter for Nitro Circus. Ben's enthusiasm and the way he was able to use technology like a GoPro to achieve success in his career are the main reasons we are so excited for him to be our keynote speaker."
Edwards will kick off the Teen Ignite event at noon, followed by Science Behind All That Magic, which is a workshop showing the correlation between physics and magicians. Then, teens can learn the science behind tuning a drum and enjoy a performance by Potts & Pans Steelband. Film buffs also will create a stop motion animation project using Raspberry Pi cameras. Also in the day's line up of events will be studying drones, comic book writing, a mini medical school teaching knot-tying skills as well as a workshop about 3-D printing. Teen tech heads also will have the opportunity to test drive the latest technology in a room filled with new Apple gadgets.
Teen Ignite also will feature giveaways, and throughout the day, teens will be provided snacks and water but they are encouraged to bring their own snacks too. Colman said she's excited to have this year's event scheduled closer to the start of the school year as more teens will be back from summer vacation and amped to learn within the new academic year.
"We received positive and enthusiastic responses from the teens after last year's event," Colman said. "We had a large response asking for more of the same programs back to back so that teens could have a better chance of attending a popular program. Also, the teens wanted more art and music programming. We have worked to incorporate as many suggestions as possible."
The event is free and geared toward teens in 6th through 12th grades. For a schedule of the day's events, go to naperville-lib.org/teens/teenignite.