The Ridgefield Library is pleased to announce its new Maker-in-Residence initiative and its first Maker-in-Residence, Alex Gonzalez, a Virtual Reality filmmaker and educator, who will present hands-on classes for all ages starting at the end of February.
For children in grades 2 through 5:
Making Magic From Scratch: A four-week class
Wednesday, February 28, March 7, 14 & 21 from 4:30 - 5:30 PM
This will be a comprehensive introductory course and workshop that will acquaint students with the world of computer programming through a friendly and fun experience.
Registration required (by registering for the first session you are automatically registering for all 4 sessions).
For those in grades 6 and up:
Immersive Storytelling: Virtual Worlds: An eight-week class
Wednesdays, Feb. 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4 and Tuesdays, April 17 and 24 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.
Using professional-grade animation software, students will develop their own original immersive universe which they can explore using VR headsets.
Registration required (by registering for the first session you are automatically registering for all 8 sessions).
A showcase for all ages will take place on Saturday, May 5. Stay tuned for more information.
Space is limited for these classes so please only register if your child can attend all sessions.
Alex Gonzalez is a writer, filmmaker, and Virtual Reality developer. He travels to schools across the tristate area and teaches students how to get started in VR, including how to brainstorm, code, and rapidly iterate ideas into practice. With a primary focus on storytelling, Alex has led dozens of students from imagination to project completion. He is the founder of New Haven VR Developer Group and his debut VR film "Beyond the Mountain" premiered last year at Jacob Burns Film Center and was the first VR film to be accepted into the Middlebury Film Festival.
The Maker-in-Residence initiative is made possible thanks to the Wadsworth Russell Lewis Fund and is part of the Library's ongoing Making STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) programming.
Over the next year, the Library will engage a number of practitioners in specific Maker and STEAM disciplines who will implement a range of activities for all ages over the course of several months for a more intensive exploration of their field.