Library Supports Local Cubs with Digital Maker Badge

The 2nd Stornoway Cubs descended on Stornoway Library recently to learn what digital making is and how it fits with Scouting and the wider world.

The activity was arranged to support the Cubs to achieve the stage 1 activity of the Digital Maker Badge. The badge is new and was developed by the Scouts in partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation to help children and young people learn the digital skills necessary to help them in life. The new badge requirements move away from abstract concepts to use digital skills to solve problems, build resilience, help their communities and express themselves.

The activity took place in The Space @ Stornoway Library which has been developed as a STEAM/Community/MakerSpace centre through a PLIF (Public Library Improvement Fund) grant from the Scottish Government.

Katie Laing, an assistant leader with the 2nd Stornoway group, said: “The library staff were just fantastic in helping us out with the work for this badge. I had approached them in the first place because I knew they ran coding sessions for youngsters, but I didn't realise they would do such specifically-tailored badge work, which was very helpful indeed for us. Helene had so much knowledge of the coding app and the cubs really enjoyed their sessions. I think it's great for them to learn this side of computing, so they can become aware of possibilities and see that there's much more to computing and coding, beyond games like Fortnite.”

The library service has also recently partnered with the University of the Highlands and Islands to develop and deliver a series of STEAM activities to children to help them further improve their digital skills, with additional support from the DigitalXtra fund.

Helene Lagrange, the library’s Digital Champion said: “It was a great opportunity to help the Cubs work towards their Digital Maker Badge.  We have developed a series of digital activities for children and young people and would be happy to support more groups of Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Guides to develop the skills to solve problems, think creatively and build resilience for the future.”

If anyone would like to find out more about developing digital skills at the library, or would like to book their group for a session, contact Stornoway Library at 01851 822744 or library.enquiries@cne-siar.gov.uk