Teens make games with Makers Club

By PAMELA GRANT

Cove Leader-Press

Creative teens had the opportunity Tuesday afternoon to show off their skills and build their very own Skee-Ball or foosball games.

Evelyn Nelson of the Central Texas Makers held a class themed ‘I can build that!’ at the Copperas Cove Public Library. Nelson challenged the participating teens to create their own games using recycled items. They were encouraged to put their own twists on the product rather than simply copying the examples. Nelson offered advice, and helped when asked, but ultimately allowed the teenagers to look at the end results and figure out how they could make their own versions.

“I’m trying to get young minds involved in creating something,” said Nelson. “They’re going to be learning how to build something, and gaining knowledge about 3-dimensional things…They have to think about the space behind it, and above and below.”

Nelson said that it was important to find a craft that helped show the teens that recycling can be fun.

Cardboard was used for the bulk of both of Tuesday’s projects. The Skee-Ball game used cardboard, lots of tape, and paint. The teens could also add pipe cleaners for embellishment. The foosball game used a shoe box, cardboard, wooden skewers, tape, and paint.

“It’s pretty fun,” said Jordyn Fell who opted to make a Skee-Ball game. “I liked building it.”

Nelson encouraged the teens to craft and explore their creativity.

“I’ve never played foosball,” said James Lynch (14) when asked why he chose to make the foosball game. He also added that he thought it seemed like the project that would be easier to complete in the allotted time. “I think it’s very generous of the library to let us do this,” said Lynch. “I think it’s fun.

The Summer Reading Program continues next week with the Teen Group on Tuesday from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. The teens will learn how to build a terrarium. On Wednesday, starting at 2 p.m., the Copperas Cove Fire and Police Departments will teach children ages 5 to 11 how to build a safer world. On Thursday, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., the library will have presentations of the David Gish Magic Show.

All of the library’s Summer Reading Program events and activities are free and open to the public.