Cyrenius H. Booth Library will offer free, introductory level classes for children entering sixth through tenth grades, as well as older students and adults, who want to explore hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) lessons.Classes require registration in advance. To sign up, visit chboothlibrary.org.

Students will learn about a variety of tools and equipment, as well as work interactively using 3D print design, robotics, circuitry, soldering and more.

Newtown resident Rich Reynolds will be the class instructor. He has been a teacher for more than ten years and is currently teaching technology and engineering at Darien High School.

"This is going to be a really cool place. It is going to give kids an opportunity that they may not have had before," said Mr Reynolds.

He wants the classes to be student centered, where kids can ask questions and feel comfortable trying out ideas.

"I feel people learn best by trying and seeing how far they can get on their own."

He said the class is "not focused on grades. It's not focused on getting the project done. My hope is to get each one of them to find something that is really interesting to them."

The Makers' Corner in the library has numerous devices including Legos and magnetic blocks, as well as Arduino and Raspberry Pi starter kits, which are small-scale computing systems the size of an iPhone.

They also have two 3D printers (an Afinia H480 3D Printer and an Afinia H800 3D Printer). The 3D printers make rapid prototyping with plastic, and the models can be made in a variety of colors. It creates the pieces by building the design from the ground up in small layers of plastic.

When speaking about what the 3D printers can make, Mr Reynolds enthusiastically said, "You can literally make anything."

Makers' Corner classes for students in grades 6-10 are filled. The library currently is accepting registration for a waiting list only, and should a third session be offered, waiting list registrants will receive priority. Classes take place on the second floor of the library in the chbMakers Corner.

Mr Reynolds will also be teaching a separate class, called Adult Makers, on Tuesday, June 28, at 7 pm, for older students. During the hour-long course, attendees will learn simple electrical upgrades, like replacing household switches and outlets.

"It's exploratory," said Mr Reynolds. "We want to inspire lifelong learners."

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