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East Branch - The Lab - Youth Technology Center

Teens using The Studio laptop computer

The Gene and Jerry Jones Arlington Youth Foundation's Youth Technology Center, known as The Lab, is a space for teens in grades 7-12 who are interested in science, technology, engineering and robotics. The Lab is located at the East Arlington Branch Library.

You will need to sign up for a membership the first time you visit. Just make sure you bring your personal library card and a form of photo identification, such as a driver's license or school ID (or your parent/guardian with his/her photo identification). Once you sign up just tell The Lab staff your name to gain access to the area and equipment. Bring your library card in order to log-on to the computers.

Age permissions can change for special programming, so if you aren't in 7-12 grade yet, keep checking the calendar for special classes just for you!

Open Hours

view into The Studio

The Lab provides a safe, fun environment to experience engineering, technology and science after school.

School Year Hours

Monday - Thursday 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday  CLOSED
Saturday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Equipment and Software

The Lab is a laid-back, science-driven environment with lots of technology to help your learning experience be fun! Build a robot out of Lego Mindstorms that can play fetch or put together a working AM radio with Snap Circuits. Build a three-dimentional space using SketchUp or learn the professional level software AutoCAD.  There's lots to do!

 

Equipment and Manipulatives

  • K'Nex Construction Blocks
  • Lego Mindstorms
  • Snap Circuits

Software

  • Alice
  • Scratch
  • SketchUp
  • Roller Coaster Tycoon
  • Sim City

Technology

  • Dell Laptops
  • 2 Double-Screened PC Stations
  • iPads

Weather Station

Drop in and learn about wind patterns, tornados, hurricanes, and other weather phenomenon. Check out our weather station on loan from the University of Texas at Dallas.