The Library has completed a three-year IMLS-funded grant to create and share a framework for delivering youth workforce readiness initiatives. Hear from program developers and participants.

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Programs

Data Navigators 2.0

Rhode Coders 2.0
Programs

Rhode Coders 2.0

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Programs

Middle School Book Club

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Programs

Data For Good Summer Employment

Marieme

PPL and the My City, My Place summer employment program taught me a lot of valuable skills and really helped me to discover that public speaking is something I’m good at.

- Marieme

Participant in the My City, My Place program

Past Teen Programs

Teen Squad members working in a kitchen

Spring 2017

Teens engaged in a two week hands-on culinary arts training led by professional chefs from the Genesis Center.

Teen Squad Digital Media Playlist program participants

Spring 2017

PPL received a $50,000 grant from Digital Media and Learning to create highly engaging playlists that integrate technology and career skill development. A group of 20 beta testers worked through the designed playlists to help PPL determine the challenges and successes of each playlist.

Teen Squad On The Rhode program participants

Fall 2016

On the Rhode was a three-part writing workshop in conjunction with Write Rhode Island, a short story competition presented by School One and Goat Hill. The workshop offered an introduction to short fiction for students in grades 8-12.

Teen Squad Selfie Project

Summer 2016

This four-session workshop explored the key factors that affect positive body image and self-esteem. Teens created a series of selfie-portraits that meaningfully depicted their own identity, using fashion and theater techniques to present themselves to the world in the ways they wanted to be seen.

Teen Squad - Turbans to Tiaras photo

Spring 2016

In this course, PPL collaborated with RISD|CE to teach teens how to forecast the future of fashion by looking at both past and current fashion trends. As part of PPL’s exhibition and program series Portals: The History of the Future, these fashion design classes integrated interest-driven exploration with historical content and 21st century skills.

Teen Squad - Turbans to Tiaras photo

Spring 2016

Part of PPL’s exhibition and program series Portals: The History of the Future, teens created glamorous, wearable headdresses inspired by the opulence of the roaring ‘20s, using a variety of materials – including rich, velvety lamé fabrics, beading, feathers, and “jeweled” embellishments – to mimic the styles and flair of the period.

Teen Squad participants in the Game On! program

Summer 2016

In this class, teens learned the basics of creating their own game art using professional software.  Participants’ completed designs were placed in a game engine to see how their work looked in a real game environment. This program was a hybrid of actual gaming and workshops covering tech skills including Photoshop, Concept Art, 3D Modeling, and Animation.

A participant in a teen program designs a dress on a miniature dress form

Spring 2016

Part of PPL’s exhibition and program series Portals: The History of the Future, teens looked at vintage 1920s flapper style and addressed the concept of “casual chic” during the time period portrayed in The Great Gatsby and Downton Abbey.

Teen Squad - Turbans to Tiaras photo

Spring 2016

Part of PPL’s exhibition and program series Portals: The History of the Future, teens explored what defined fashion in the 1950s by looking at iconic “fashionistas” from the era like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, and noteable changes to the status quo like Christian Dior's “New Look” and Coco Chanel's suit.

Teen Squad members look at a window display at Nordstrom

Spring 2016

Part of PPL’s exhibition and program series Portals: The History of the Future, teens created glamorous, wearable headdresses inspired by the opulence of the roaring ‘20s, using a variety of materials – including rich, velvety lamé fabrics, beading, feathers, and “jeweled” embellishments – to mimic the styles and flair of the period.

Teen Squad Music Venues Project thumb

Summer 2015

As a part of PPL’s program and exhibition series, Don't Stop the Music, teen participants created digital videos about two emblematic and historic music venues, Providence Performing Arts Center and Trinity Repertory Theater.