Kids’ car models have lots of go!
Family learning session held at Swinton Library. Making toy cars with electric motors. Nine year old Alex Law and his dad Barry put the finishing touches to their racing car creation.Picture Malcolm Billingham S0237MB
FAMILIES put their engineering skills to the test during a Blue Peter-style workshop to create mini machines.
Tables were strewn with wheels, pipe cleaners and circuits as parents, grandparents and their kids worked together on their Marvellous Models creations at Swinton Library.
The groups were challenged to make toy vehicles, such as racing cars, complete with moving engine parts.
And their creations had plenty of va va voom as they got to race them across tables and on the floor at the end of the session last Thursday.
Families attended the activity, which is part of a scheme by Rotherham Library and Information Service to bring parents and children together and encourage more people to use the borough’s libraries.
Family learning tutor Hannah Thornton said: “The sessions are all about showing young people how small electrical circuits work.
“They are essential mini-powered engines which make the model cars go.
“At the end of the sessions we let them have a race.
“All the kids and their parents and grandparents always really enjoy taking part.”
Rita Leary, principal library assistant at Swinton Library, said the sessions always spark an upturn in interest from the community.
She said: “We have had two events of this type in quick succession and they are always very popular with the children.
“The adults always find it really interesting as well and it is a great way for families to bond.
“We had about six families at our last Marvellous Models session and there were even more here this time so its shows that the word is spreading about how fun they are.”
She added: “Some of the sessions are quite advanced.
“This one for example involves putting working parts inside the models so they can go.
“It’s about developing the children’s skills and introducing them to pneumatics and how it all works.
“The sessions are delivered in schools as well as libraries.”
She continued that events such as this show why libraries are a valuable asset to the community.
“There is always plenty to do at the library, especially for kids during the summer holidays which are coming up.
“Once families come to something like this they can see what community hubs libraries are.
“We don’t have anymore Marvellous Models sessions booked in here at the moment.
“But I hope there will be some in the future.
“They are something to be encouraged.”
To find out more about events taking place at Swinton Library, contact Rita on 01709 583116 or visit www.rotherham.gov.uk/libraries for further information.
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Weather for South Yorkshire
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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