Assessment of need

Assessment of need The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), in partnership with the Multnomah County Library (MCL), seeks a Learning Labs grant to convene expert advisors, community advocates, and a teen advisory council (TAC) for an in-depth planning and design process to support implementation of a community Maker Center at OMSI. Digital media learning labs such as YouMedia in Chicago have proven effective engaging teens by providing a space and context to express their creativity (Austin 2011). OMSI and MCL intend to adapt these proven methods to engage teens with a different set of digital media production tools in a space dedicated to “Making.” We believe this type of space is a critical resource for youth to gain the 21st Century Skills needed to participate in a productive civic life.