The Westport Library invites you to an illuminating initiative: Join us in utilizing one of our state-of-the-art 3D printers to create solar-powered lanterns for Open Doors, a homeless shelter in Norwalk.
Learn valuable skills and build community while providing a meaningful and practical lighting solution for unhoused individuals, improving their safety and well-being during nighttime hours.
This maker activity is free to attend and will take place on Sunday, November 10, from 1 to 2 pm in the Library’s Board Room (Room 210). Register to attend here. No experience is necessary to participate; 3D printing training sessions will be held at the Library over the next couple of weeks.
For children under 12, a caregiver must remain in the library during the program.
Created and designed by Staples High School students Rohan Sareen, a sophomore, and Shreyas Gorre, a senior, using the Library’s Ultimaker S5 and brand-new Bambu P1S 3D printer, these lanterns incorporate lights, wires, batteries, and solar panels for sustainable illumination.
“We came up with the idea when we wanted to use our engineering skills to help out our local community,” Sareen and Gorre said. “We immediately started to think about how we could 3D print essentials for people in need. After more research, we realized that the best way to help would be to give them something that they could use for a long time. This led us to build a 3D-printed, solar-powered lantern.”
In addition to learning more about 3D printing technology, this workshop will foster tactile and technical skills and provide an opportunity to collaborate with coaches and other volunteers in the Library’s MakerSpace during the assembly process, exploring circuitry, soldering, and other pivotal engineering skills — all while making a tangible difference in the community.
Help support those experiencing homelessness by creating a meaningful and practical lighting solution in this solar lantern assembly project. This initiative aims to provide solar-powered lanterns to unhoused individuals, improving their safety and well-being during nighttime hours.
Take this opportunity to learn about 3D printing technology and foster a sense of connection and purpose by collaborating with makerspace coaches and other volunteers during the assembly process. Information on how you can receive training to contribute to the cause will also be shared.
Join us in making a tangible difference while acquiring valuable skills and building community!
For children under 12, a caregiver must remain in the library during the program.
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The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!
Join us for a collaborative pinball machine assembly workshop.
While the MakerSpace offers everything to create a project like this from scratch, including CAD for design, the laser cutter for fabrication, and electronics for bells and whistles, for this build, we've made it easy to get started: From the pre-designed components, to the step-by-step instructions, we've taken care of the details allowing you to focus on the hands-on experience of building and playing the pinball machine.
Up to eight kids (four groups of two). Ages 14+
Click here to reserve your space!
Ever wonder what's inside that thing or how it works? Join us for Take-it-apart and find out.
We will supply things to disassemble (such as consumer electronics or old tools), or you can bring your own (subject to safety approval). We'll see what we can reuse, recycle and learn!
Tools also provided. Ages 8 and up. Just drop in; no registration needed.
