Teens Developed Games, Animations, and Social Media Campaigns to Educate the Public About the Challenges of Energy Conservation
Images here.
Brooklyn— Teens from around the borough spent their mid-winter break learning about energy use and conservation, including energy challenges facing low-income communities. On Friday, the teens presented their final projects—which included games, animations, and social media campaigns—to a panel of judges composed of engineers from National Grid. Francine Tonleu (age 17) and Miles Rosevear (age 14) were winners in the animation category; Nicole Chen (age 16) and Shanzana Rahman (age 15) were winners in the game design category; and Johnny Garcia (age 16), Seth Paul (age 15), Zara Afrin (age 16), and Victoria Ogunyemi (age 17) in the graphic design category.
“Through our partnership for Engineers Week with Brooklyn Public Library we are inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists who will power a more sustainable Brooklyn,” said Robert Simmons, Vice President Social Impact and Community Engagement for National Grid. “Programs like this are part of our Jobs and Skills pillar within our Grid for Good social impact work with our partners to drive early interest in STEM/STEAM education with our youth.”
Participants in the week-long program learned about energy and conservation, as well as gaining skills in one of three tracks: animation, game design, and digital art. In addition, the teens, who ranged in age from 14 to 18, got valuable lessons in teamwork and communication skills.
On Friday, in addition to the presentation of their projects, participants met experts from the Library’s energy team and National Grid. National Grid is a longstanding partner of the Library, supporting numerous STEM and literacy initiatives. Hundreds of National Grid employees volunteer for library programs, including career development and mentoring for teens.
In addition to the competition, Brooklyn Public Library runs a series of programs for patrons of all ages to learn about science and technology. These include Teen Techies, a technology internship for teens; free courses in computer basics; a robotics league; and advanced workshops on motion graphics, audio editing, 3D printing, AI, and much more.
“I am so proud of the young people who participated in this intensive program during their school break, enhancing their skills in STEM, in research, and in the creative arts,” said Selvon Smith, CIO and Vice President, Information Technology, Brooklyn Public Library. “And I extend my sincerest thanks to National Grid, a long-standing and generous partner of the Library, who shares our commitment to providing young people free access to education and opportunity.”
Brooklyn Public Library is home to five teen tech centers at Kings Highway, Saratoga, Adams Street, Crown Heights, and Bay Ridge Libraries.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. Providing innovative library service for over 125 years, we support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We are a global leader in the fight for the freedom to read through our Books Unbanned initiative, offering teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.