[hackerspaces] Working with youth from outside a makerspace

[Shirley Hicks]

Good afternoon everyone,

Our makerspace in Birmingham, AL is going to be working with local high school students over the next six weeks as they prepare their entry in the local BEST robotics competition. I’m meeting with the teacher leading the program this afternoon. 

This is our first “giving back” to our greater community. Our space is located in a "high-needs" neighborhood. We’re also starting to detail what our best practices need to be with regards to adults working with teens. The one that I need more information about/examples of are ground rules for adults who are working with youth as to what is acceptable and and unacceptable behavior, and how to handle any required background checks? 

I’m also still learning the US accepted practices in this area (am a transplanted Canadian).
What have different groups put in place and do you have links to what you’ve done?

I know that this came up earlier in the year. 

Thanks!

Shirley Hicks
Secretary/Business Admin/Programmer/Maker
Red Mountain Makers
http://www.redmountainmakers.org
Twitter: @redmountainmake
Facebook: Red Mountain Makers
Meetup: meetup.com/redmountainmakers
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