Hot, Free, and Downloadable: tech for teens and why you care Amy Boese and Marcus Lowry Ramsey County Library Minnesota

Ramsey County Library: Teen Services Seven Libraries Five School Districts 740 programs per year (365 gaming at Roseville) 10,000 Teens Three sushi places, one Pizza Ranch, no Waffle House Two librarians

How we do it. Active classes – Librarian instructors – AmeriCorps CTEP – Community Ed., TV – School collaborations – Youth serving organizations Passive access to tech Drop in tech

Coolest. Things. Ever. Replicator in action Replicator II

Free! Most popular 3D modeling software

Free! More detail Less architecture, better suited for forms

Free! Golden oldie of video game creation, still golden In many school classrooms Focuses on creative animation, programming

Free! Creates a stand-alone flash game Focuses on creating playable games, less on how to create the pieces

Free! (No, really.) Open source vector editor Future Fashion Designers

Free! Online photo editor Taking and Editing Great Photos

Free! (But you have to sign up.) Create your own website, link all of your stuff in one place

Free! (Sign in to save your work.) Remix songs or create your own Ability to import vocal and instrumental tracks

Free! (open source.) Audio editor Podcasting Edit sound for importing elsewhere

Tangents, or: Not free, hot, or downloadable Minecraft Flip Apps Python Artemis Whomptrix

Challenges Teen tech open lab – drop in versus drop off Cutting edge tech sometimes FAILS Free software goes away (RIP: aviary.com) Schools block free software Libraries block downloads Vendor issues: bugs are bugs Staffing changes

Why we think you should care. Navigation of new technology Gamification Courage is learned Inspiration and exploration Career exploration – “People do this for $$$, you could too.”

Time for more play.

Thanks! Questions?