TECH Lab

TECH Lab

The Teen Education and Creation Hub (TECH) Lab is located on the Library's second floor in the Integra Learning Lab and is a space where teens can hang out, explore, design, and create fun projects in science, technology, engineering, art and math.

The TECH Lab is equipped with a wide assortment of technology, equipment and software, including PCs, Macs, iPads, cameras, a green screen, a sound booth, drawing tablets, games, art supplies, and more!   Teens ages 13-18 are invited to come and check out this exciting, teen-only space!

TECH Lab Spring Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday: 3-7 pm
Friday: 3-6 pm
Saturday: 1-5 pm

TECH Lab Events At-a-Glance


There's always a lot going on in the lab, so here is a quick list of everything we are currently offering. Scroll down through the page to find more info on what you're interested in, or just stop by the lab and see what you can find!  You can also call Cody in the TECH Lab with any questions at 696-8538.
  • Summer Reading
  • Artist-in-Residence
  • Rocketry at the Library: Make your own Model Rocket!
  • Trivia Night!
  • 3-D Printing Workshops
  • Tabletop Gaming Club
  • Montana Code Girls

Summer Reading

Teen_COLOR_spot5
Summer Reading sign-ups are now live! Register today and starting logging your reading minutes so you can buy raffle tickets and win some amazing prizes! You can also earn points by visiting the TECH Lab and attending library programs throughout the summer. Questions? Swing by the TECH Lab and ask Cody! 

Get started with Summer Reading
Current Artist-in-Residence​
The TECH Lab is pleased to welcome our spring Artist-in-Residence, Mason Elkin! Mason will be holding a 4 part series on music production where he'll instruct teens how to create, mix, and master their own music. 

About Mason
Mason Elkin is a senior in high school, and has been producing music since 2013. Mason has lived in Billings since August, 2016, and was born and raised in New Albany, Indiana. Some of his favorite artists to listen to include Barely Alive, blink-182, The Zac Brown Band, and Hans Zimmer. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, camping, and backpacking.

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Rocketry at the Library: Make your own Model Rocket!

Rocket
Join us in May as we hold a series of workshops in the TECH Lab that will teach teens the science behind rocketry, and let them construct their very own model rocket! Each workshop will be on a Tuesday from 4:30-6 pm in the TECH Lab, while the Launch Day will be held on a Saturday at a time and place decided by the group. Teens who sign up are expected to attend each workshop. Call 657-8290 to sign up today!

Rocketry at the Library Workshops

May 2nd

Introduction, learn about the parts of the rocket, and began rocket construction

May 9th

Finish model build, learn about rocket physics 

May 16th

Prime and paint rockets, introduction to aerodynamics

May 23rd

Prepare rockets for launch, learn about manned spaceflight history 

May 27th

Launch day! Time and place TBD beforehand by group.


Family Trivia Night: Robotics Themed Trivia


Tuesday, May 23rd
6:30-8:30 pm in the Community Room



Join us for a fun night of robot themed trivia! Phillips 66 has provided a generous grant to the library for the creation of 6 STEAM crates that will soon be available for check-out, and we are going to hold a trivia night for each of the crates! This session will focus on robotics, so bring the family and come down for snacks, prizes, and a look at the Robotics Crate and all of the equipment that will come with it! Registration is required, so call 657-8290 to sign a team up today!

trivia
sketchup

3-D Printing and Design Workshops


June 7th and 8th
5 pm
TECH Lab



We're kicking off our summer in the TECH Lab with a two part 3-D printing workshop series! Join some professional architects from Collaborative Design Architects as they teach teens how to use Sketchup to create their own 3-D designs, and then we're print off what the teens make! Teens who sign up should plan on attended both workshops. Call 657-8290 to sign up today.

Tabletop Gaming Club


Thursdays
4 pm
TECH Lab


Join a local teen as he leads a group dedicated to playing a variety of tabletop games, from Dungeons & Dragons to Clue! Come and join the fun, or bring your own game and share it with others!
rpg gaming

Regular Events

MT Code Girls: Coding Classes for Girls


Wednesdays and Fridays
4:45-5:45 pm
2nd Floor Computer Classroom


Montana Code Girls will be hosting coding classes and workshops for girls aged 9-19 at BPL. Any girls who are interested in learning how to code are welcome to come to the classes, and no previous coding knowledge or experience is required!  Call 696-8538 or visit the TECH Lab to sign-up.
mt code girls
Teen Advisory Group

Teens who are 13 to 19 years of age can apply to be part of our Teen Advisory Group - the TAG. The TAG advises the library about programs for teens, helps promote services, and volunteers at the library. Apply today!

Meet the Mentors

treyTrey was raised in Montana. He enjoys reading, playing video games, programming, and learning new things. He is currently studying Computer Programming at MSUB City College. He didn't have big goals or ambitions (he also dropped out of public schools at a young age), and he didn't think he could afford to go to college since his family has always been poor. But teachers at the Lincoln Center encouraged him to go to college and apply for financial aid. Now he has a 3.9 GPA and many great opportunities afforded to him, including this mentorship!
Trey leads "Problem Solving with Programming" on Tuesdays.

parkerParker was born and raised in San Diego, California, and is here in Billings to study aviation at Rocky Mountain College. He enjoys flying airplanes and playing video games, especially Minecraft. Parker has big goals for himself when he graduates; he hopes to become an airplane pilot and fly people around the world. He joined the mentor program to gain leadership skills
Parker leads "Minecraft Thursdays."

chloe2Chloe is a returning mentor. She is majoring in Equestrian Studies with a focus in Therapeutic Riding and Psychology at Rocky Mountain College. She moved to Billings from Austin, Texas, where she lived for ten years. Chloe loves exploring the city, going to the farmer's market, taking photos, and reading. She also enjoys studying micro-invertebrates, as known as water bugs. She joined the mentoring program to help kids like her.
Chloe grew up poor and battled with mental health issues in high school. She received help from a local nonprofit that helped at-risk teens and went on to become a mentor and a student representative on their board of directors. She wants to provide the same support she was given, so that other teens can see that they can always change their situation, even in small ways.
Chloe leads "Arts and Crafts" on Saturdays.

Special Thanks


WYO-Ben LogoWyo-Ben, a Bentonite clay manufacturing company in Billings, recently made a very generous donation to the Teen Education, and Creation Hub. The T.E.C.H. Lab is able to thrive only because of donations such as these.
Thank you Wyo-Ben!

Do you have a suggestion for a workshop? Let us know!
Submit an Application (PDF) to be an instructor in the TECH Lab.

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