Cattaraugus-Little Valley Students Dive into Digital Creation at Library Fest

Cattaraugus Little Valley Central School recently transformed its library into a hub of innovation and creativity during a vibrant Library Festival. Students, ranging from 5th to 12th grade, engaged in hands-on learning experiences, particularly in a dedicated Makerspace area. The highlight of the event was the students' exploration of Pyonkee, a visual programming language on iPads, where they designed and built their own video games. Simultaneously, they tackled challenging tasks with Cubelets, modular robotics that allowed for tangible, interactive problem-solving (Cubelets can be signed out from Learning Resources at CABOCES through Insignia).1 This immersive experience provided students with a unique opportunity to blend digital literacy with practical engineering skills, fostering a dynamic and engaging learning environment. This Makerspace portion of the festival was facilitated by an invited guest, arranged by Katie Benatovich - Library Media Specialist - who brought the technology and expertise to the students. Also, Tori Blakely helped out a lot with the organization of Library Fest. 

The activities at the Library Fest drew heavily from the educational philosophies of Seymour Papert, a pioneer in computer science education. Papert, building on Jean Piaget's constructivist theories, advocated for "constructionism," the idea that learning is most effective when students are actively creating and building. This aligns perfectly with the hands-on approach of Pyonkee and Cubelets, where students learned by doing, experimenting, and iterating. Piaget's notion that "learning is a consequence of experience" was evident as students grappled with coding logic and robotic configurations, discovering solutions through trial and error. The Makerspace provided a platform for students to translate abstract concepts into tangible outcomes, reinforcing their understanding through direct engagement, and was made possible through the efforts of Katie Benatovich. 

The Library Fest at Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School successfully blended technology and creativity, empowering students to become active learners and problem-solvers. By providing access to tools like Pyonkee and Cubelets, the school fostered an environment where students could explore their potential in STEM fields. This event, organized with the assistance of Katie Benatovich, not only enriched the students' educational experience but also demonstrated the power of hands-on learning in cultivating critical thinking and innovation, echoing the influential work of Papert and Piaget. 

​By Rick Weinberg, Coordinator for Curriculum and Professional Development