Ways You Can Celebrate Teen Tech Week That Make a Lasting Impression
Within libraries across the country, Teen Tech Week promotes digital resources that are available for teens and their families. “Get connected @ your local library” is the overall theme for Teen Tech Week. Teens are encouraged to visit their local library and discover the different technical and digital tools that are available to them such as DVDs, databases, audiobooks, and videogames.
What is Teen Tech Week?
Launched in 2007, Teen Tech Week is an annual national event held the second week in March by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) in conjunction with ALA (American Library Association). This year, Teen Tech Week is March 4 – 10.
YALSA has resources for you to promote Teen Tech Week involvement such as a downloadable, customizable toolkit to use. All items are available in the Publicity Toolkit, including:
- A sample press release
- Scripts for public service announcements
- Sample letters to the editor (one from teens, one from parents)
- The Get Connected logo
What Kids Learn
This year’s theme encourages teens to take advantage of all the great digital resources offered through the library to make a positive change in their life and community. Here are some examples of what kids learn during Teen Tech Week.
- Using digital dictionaries and other eBook tools to learn new vocabulary, students in grades 2 – 6 can pause and make notes as they read eBooks on digital reading devices.
- Grades 5 through 12 can read and respond to electronic books by using eBook tools and features, including digital note-taking capabilities.
- All teen students can explore naming conventions in digital and non-digital settings then choose and explain specific names and profiles to represent themselves online.
- Teens can investigate how and why copyright law has changed over time, and apply this information to recent copyright issues, creating persuasive arguments based on the perspective of a particular group.
- Using various tools and features of digital readers to develop vocabulary, teens can find digital readers support comprehension, respond to text, improve fluency, and enhance the reading experience.
Get Involved
Even if you don’t work for or with a library, you can get involved. Identify local experts to participate. Do you know a software engineer, robotics developer, or game designer? Invite them to conduct a workshop, demonstration, or lecture for aspiring teens to attend. Here are some other ideas:
- Students could make an eBook or eZine, design a smartphone cover or tablet holder, or create graphic art. Set up times for tech-related crafts and creations to be designed and built.
- Have a cosplay contest with characters from their favorite books or manga.
- Have a Book to Movie festival, which shows movies from teen chosen favorites.
- Create a scavenger hunt. Set up hidden clues and trails around your location while simultaneously showing off all your digital resources.
- Educate the community and organize a technology recycling effort. They can learn about the proper disposal of items such as computers and small gadgets like phones or tablets.
- Create social media events and share as much as possible across your social media outlets to get the word to as many teens, teachers, parents, and patrons as possible.
Conclusion
Helping youth understand available technologies and how to use them can augment their education in school. Since our world is increasingly digital, it’s crucial to help our kids learn how to incorporate technology into their daily lives. After all, once they enter the workforce, they’re likely to encounter a variety of technology. These skills will benefit their future. And you never know, you may help inspire the next Bill Gates, Elon Musk, or Tim Cook!