These grants supported the planning and designing of up to 30 Learning Labs in libraries and museums throughout the country. The Labs engage middle- and high-school youth in mentor-led, interest-based, youth-centered, collaborative learning using digital and traditional media. Grantees participate, in-person and online, in a community of practice that will provide technical assistance, networking, and cross-project learning. Projects provide prototypes for the field and be based on current research about digital media and youth learning. There were two project deadlines for this grant program, in FY 2012 and FY 2013. See list of Learning Lab Grantees.

Report Now Available: Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums: Transformative Spaces for Teens
Learn how 24 cities and counties applied new research about young people’s media practices to create physical and digital spaces for learning. This publication describes lessons learned, new models and practices and the impact of Learning Labs, supported by IMLS and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Read now.