Technology and Education staff members at the Orlando Public Library are excited to announce some programming in the works with Snap Circuits™.  Snap Circuits™ are a fun way for kids age 8 to 18 years old to discover electronics.  Each set comes with easy to follow drawings and plans and color and letter coded pieces that can be snapped together on a breadboard.  Finished electronic items include an electric light and switch, motion detector, a working fan and a space war alarm.  After viewing the short video below, let us know what you think!

Watch this blog for upcoming details about fun electronics workshops using Snap Circuits™.

First Lego League is an exciting yearly science and technology event for children aged 9-14 years and their families.  In September of each year, First Lego League announces a new challenge.  The challenge is composed of three parts.  The Robotics part is where students build and program an autonomous Lego Mindstorms™ Robot.  The robot has two and a half minutes to perform a series of activities within the challenge.  In the Project portion of the challenge, students show their knowledge of the science behind the challenge.  Throughout the challenge, students are guided by Core Values, which include, Gracious Professionalism™ and Cooperation. A TIC staff member was fortunate to see this up front and was amazed by the whole challenge.

The Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center for Technology, Innovation and Creativity would like to host a First Lego League team and events. Are there any other robotic events you can share with us? Stay tuned for future developments as our center soon begins the design phase.  In the meantime, enjoy this First Lego League video.

And speaking of Lego, come to the Orlando Public Library on Saturday, December 1 and take part in our Lego Contest.  Registration is required to enter.  Call 407.835.7323 to sign up.  Registration closes at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 30th.

Small business owners and crafters know that a good product photograph can speak a thousand words on eBay and Etsy websites.  Food and craft bloggers also depend on great photographs to sell their creative endeavors.  The best product photographs combine an optimum alignment of lighting, style, color and appropriate sharpening.  Did you know that The Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center for Technology, Innovation and Creativity will have a film and photo studio and software for film makers and photographers to experiment and perfect their techniques?  And do you know that we currently have classes in WordPress, eBay Basics, and Etsy Basics?  Got your Orange County resident library card?  Then sign up now, because these classes are free to you!

And while you’re waiting for our center to open, enjoy this macaroni and cheese recipe by Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.  Ms. Drummond began a food and lifestyle blog, which now attracts over 20 million page views per month.  She is also a cook book author and has her own Food Network TV show.