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Library System to Host Career Readiness and STEM Event for Tweens, Teens
About Blog Post
Feb 6, 2020
by Pressroom
With the world around us constantly evolving and changing, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills are becoming even more vital. According to the U.S. Department of Education “it's more important than ever that our nation's youth are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions.”
In response to this need, the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey’s (SCLSNJ) Hillsborough Library branch, located at 379 South Branch Road in Hillsborough, will host a teen leadership hackathon for Somerset County residents in grades 6-12 on March 14 from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
“A hackathon is a programming marathon where individuals and teams put their ideas together to create a solution to a problem,” said Christine Jansen, young adult librarian. “This exciting event focuses on SCLSNJ’s strategic priority to provide an impartial platform for creating meaningful interactions and connections.”
The STEM-based event will include a coding competition where students can explore their skills; career readiness workshops where teens will have the opportunity to connect with professionals in STEM industries; and an expo area where attendees will have the opportunity to discover local STEM organizations and schools.
“College and career readiness is so important, because it is all about helping teens make the connections between education and employment, and how to succeed at both,” said Jansen. “Connected learning, the encouraging of teens’ personal interests with supportive relationships and opportunities, is one way we can do that. We created the connected learning event, SCLSNJ Teen Leadership Hacks, so teens can have a platform to showcase their passion for coding and leadership, while being connected to meaningful relationships and real-world opportunities.”
The general public will have the opportunity to explore the expo from 1-3 p.m. From 3-3:50 p.m., the expo area will be open to participants only for the judging of the coding competition.
Attendees participating in the competition are required to bring their own laptop or Chromebook. Registration is required by March 9. For more information or to register: SCLSNJ.org/TLH.