FORT FRANCES – With the recent expansion to the Thunder Bay and Kenora’s Science North sites, it’s easy to forget that Science North has wonderful attractions reach beyond the northern cities.
In collaboration with Science North, the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre offers a 21st-century learning experience complete with Virtual Reality, a 3D printer, video editing software, and a music station.
The FFPLTC Maker Space and T.H.I.N.K hub offers the public of all ages a place to be creative and explore the diverse scientific world around them.
“This space allows people to come in to learn, try things out, and make things for themselves, said Joan MacLean, CEO of the Fort Frances Technology Centre. “The Think Hub equipment is very much something we want people as they want. There is no wrong way to play with it.”
The great thing about learning about new technology and science, in general, is exploration.
MacLean elaborates, “Just last week, there were three boys kind of wandering around in the library, and they were walking by the window and peeking in. I happened to be behind them, and I said, “You know, you can go in there.” They needed a little bit of a push, but I didn’t tell them how to use the equipment. I told them they can use it as they like. They spend quite a bit of time in here making all kinds of different things. And they got really excited about it. They actually came and showed me what they were making. They were so excited. Later on, the mom came and used one of the desks in here to continue what she was doing, and they continued to work on whatever they wanted out of the materials. That is exactly what the room is used for.”
For the past two years, the THINK Hub was just used as storage during the pandemic. The equipment was considerably under-utilized which the library staff felt was such a shame in consideration the library’s investments in the 3D printer and virtual reality came at a cost of their municipal budget. But now, the THINK HUB room is fully functional and open for the public to enjoy.
“It’s been well used this summer,” said MacLean. “There are always kids in here.”
As a rule of thumb, the library staff cleans the area but leaves the children’s projects on the table. MacLean explains, “what one child leaves behind another one might pick it up and use it in a different way.”
By leaving these awesome projects out, people can come in and extend the learning experience with some of these designs.
In addition to the learning experience, the FFPLTC conducts local partnerships within the community. One such partnership was with Manitou Mounds, where FFPLTC provided 3D printouts of animal paws to add a little flare to their new concrete walkways.
“We partnered with Manitou Mounds who approached us asking for 3D prints of animal paws,” said MacLean. “They wanted us to make the prints in concrete, so they had to be obtuse, rather than the inverse, and last Friday, I went into Manitou Mounds with the two staff members who led the project and they had poured the concrete and stamps had been used. We couldn’t be happier with the results.”
As for the partnership with Science North, MacLean and Science North are cooking up more fun-filled learning experiences for the public.
“We are always looking for ways to expand what we have here, and what we can do as part of the Science North region,” said MacLean.
