This device was a lie detector test the students put together, measuring each other’s pulse rates as answering questions.
Teen Tech Week is an event through the Young Adult Library Services Association which aims to encourage teens to learn more about technology, Teen Services Librarian Shannon Lake said.
“The purpose of Teen Tech Week is just to get teens interested in technology ... so that they realize they have an opportunity to make technology work,” said Lake.
Along with building a lie detector, students built a power amplifier.
East Lansing High School freshman Audai Demps , 14, said building the power amplifier reminded her of engineering, which she said was an interesting field.
Lake said it is important to have students involved in putting together different electronics, adding that it’s a fun way for teens to learn about electricity and technology.
“Teen Tech Week is important because of engineering and science and math and getting teens to realize that all those fields can actually turn into something practical for them,” said Lake.
Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the East Lansing Public Library offers teen programs. However, Teen Tech Week is a national initiative that occurs annually.
The theme for the event this year is DIY at Your Library .
Students are able to come learn and then leave whenever they please.
“After school, they (the students) are looking for something to do, so having something constructive to do in the library, being able to provide a place for them, is great for the community as a whole,” Lake said.
Occasional volunteer and East Lansing High School junior Mobin Arbab, 17, said knowing about technology can help people know how to fix electrical stuff instead of paying the money to have someone fix it for them.
Arbab said most people’s lives are influenced to a great extent by technology.
“First thing you do when you go home is turn your laptop on and just go and (check) your Facebook or (talk) with your friends on the Facebook or phone,” Arbab said.
Along with building the lie detector and power amplifier, a speaker from the Attorney General’s Mighigan Cyber Saftey Initiative will be coming in Wednesday to discuss cyber safety.
On Thursday , students will be able to participate in an upcycling craft, where they get to work on old technology to create something new out of it.
