Teen explore fun with technology

April 3, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

By AMANDA TONOLI

March 9 kicked off Teen Tech Week at the Boardman library. Allison Graf, a youth services librarian, led this program, which was developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT. It was offered to students in grades 7-12 to improve their skills through self-directed learning. Graf said when it came to teaching, the students really taught themselves.

“This program was a national initiative to expose teenagers to digital resources,” Graf said.

During her class, Graf focused on the fun aspects of using such digital resources, incorporating coding, pixel press and even the use of the new 3D printer.

“I learned [the skills taught in this class] through the use of some webinars [web seminars],” Graf said. “We also have a vibrant online library community and we are always sharing ideas.”

Daniel Pirone attended some classes during Teen Tech Week, and said he really enjoyed working with computers.

“For my birthday all I asked for was Best Buy gift cards for a laptop,” Pirone said.

Pirone successfully obtained his laptop in August, and said he works with it at home.