Wagging tails, flapping wings and flashing eyes brought to life the electronic pets 15 students created at Skidompha Library in Damariscotta, April 18-21. Gizmo Sprouts, a new spring break technology and arts education event, was attended by 5th through 7th graders from throughout the local area.

Each pet was designed and built by the middle school students. First, they sketched the outline of their animal design with pen and paper. This could be anything, from a manatee to a moose; a robot to an imperial platypus. They then digitized the drawings, and extruded the shape to make a 3D model, ready for 3D printing. While the models were printing, the students set about wiring the electronics to animate the pets. Each pet was equipped with a proximity sensor, a motor, a buzzer and two LEDs. “(This was) tricky because we had to make sure the wires went to the right places,” observed one student. Finally, the pets were assembled and decorated with felt, foam, fur and feathers, then placed on display in the library’s atrium to show off to parents and the public.

Mike Lee of Nobleboro works as Skidompha’s Gizmo coordinator. Part of his work is to design technology events that might appeal to children of all backgrounds. “A number of kids applied to our February Gizmo Garden event, but we were full! Gizmo Sprouts was designed to accommodate those younger kids, plus some more who registered on a first come basis,” said Lee. “Hopefully some of these kids will go on to take part in Gizmo Garden next year.”

Skidompha’s Director Pam Gormley presented the Gizmo Sprouts with certificates at the end of the week. “It’s wonderful to have a dedicated team of technology enthusiasts bringing their expertise to our library,” said Gormley. “We seek to serve the community in as many ways as possible and this event ties in with our quest for inclusivity.”

Murray Perce, a parent of one of the students, said, “I entered the room and I saw the colors, the lights, the kids, the projects and it seemed to me androgynous, in the sense that it was accessible to all – the males and the females in the room. It didn’t seem to be a set-up oriented toward one gender. In today’s day and age, young women need to have the opportunities that young men have in terms of technology. A program like this can’t be undervalued.”

Gizmo Garden is a local company whose mission is to provide a top-quality, gender-balanced technology education. Program director Judy Silver said, “It was a blast seeing the kids’ print-a-pets, and seeing how much fun they were having.”

Technology events at Skidompha continue over the summer with drop-in sessions for kids and teens. A calendar of events is being finalized and will be advertised on Skidompha notice boards. If anyone would like to receive email notice of these events or anything Gizmo Garden-related, please email GizmoMike@gizmogarden.org.