Learn about the process behind designing your own characters and using illustration software.  Create the look of your character, its costumes, and props, and give it a unique personality!

Registration required. Grades 6-12.

A beginner-friendly class that introduces students to Python programming. Hands-on activities and live coding will help students build confidence and real skills over the week.

Register once for all five sessions! Registration required.

Learn how the digital single-lens reflex camera is engineered to utilize part of the electromagnetic spectrum we call visible light. Obtain hands-on experience using a DSLR camera and learn numerous picture-taking techniques.

Enhance your math savvy to improve your SAT score! Relieve test anxiety by taking practice tests in a low-risk environment and gain full comprehension of what to expect on test day.

STEAM Leadership Academy: Over two weeks, explore the opportunities and skills for STEAM leadership. Interact with leaders in the field and apply what you learn to hands-on projects.

Algebra 1-A

Be catapulted into the adventure of solving mechanical problems with a catapult! Learn not just basic engineering, but also mechanical engineering techniques. 

Registration required. Grades 6-12.

Taught by a HiTech instructor.

Have you ever wondered about the basics behind how humans tell computers what to do? Do you like awesome robots? If your answer was yes to one or both of those questions, this is the class for you!

Have you ever looked at a digital illustration and wondered “How did they do that?”  Learn tips, tricks, and the steps to creating your own illustration in the iPad app, Procreate.

Registration required. Grades 6-12. 

The students will do a deep dive into some of the marine environments they see often but know little about.

Dive into the world of special effects, through the view of a Makeup Artist! Students will learn the history and science behind the film industry’s own movie magic.

Learn to Sew: Sewing Machine Skills for Teens

Learn about the fashion industry from concept to delivery, the role of science, and how to use technology to create selected outfits and original fashion design ideas. Grades 6-12.

Have you ever wanted to become a mad scientist? Explore fun and exciting chemistry experiments using basic household chemicals. Engineer an assortment of mind-blowing matter to take home and spook your friends and family.

TIME FOR US

Ages 18 months-3 years with adult; 30 min. Ticket required.

Develop early learning skills through stories, songs, fingerplays, and rhymes.

Tickets available 15 minutes before class.

Ticket required.  Tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

We hope to see you at Laurel Woods Elementary School from 11:00am-12:00pm!

Esperamos verle en la escuela primaria Laurel Woods  de 11:00 a 12:00.

Ages 8-11; 60 min. Registration required.

Explore the science of UV light and make a bracelet or key-chain with ultraviolet light detecting beads.

Join us for access to the sound booth and other HiTech equipment to record and mix music or create movies. 

Taught by a HiTech Instructor.

Grades 6 -12.

Register once for all 5 sessions.

Discover the gross anatomy of the human body and learn about three body systems that hold us together and help us function. We’ll cover the integumentary, skeletal, and muscular systems. 

Registration required. Grades 6-12.

Using the iPad Pro and animation apps such a FlipAClip and Animation Sketch, students will learn how to create their own 2D animations using their own drawings and the principles of squash and stretch. Register for all five sessions.

Learn how to use Blender, an open-source, 3D design program. Create virtual spaces that, when rendered properly, give the illusion of photographic representation.

Get an introduction to the basics of Mendelian Genetics! We’ll explore topics such as inheritance patterns, genetic diversity, and genetic diseases using laws derived from Gregor Mendel’s important experiments.

Deflategate and the ideal gas law? Bend it like Beckham? What is a knuckle ball? Learn about the physics behind your favorite sports with hands-on experiments.

Registration required. Grades 6-12.

Taught by a HiTech instructor.

Science and art combine in this craft-centered lesson series. From glitter bottles to celestial art, you will leave each class with a unique craft of your own!

Taught by a HiTech instructor.

Register once for all five sessions

Did you know you can use coding to create art? Learn to use HTML and CSS to create different images and even animations!

Registration required. Grades 6-12.

Taught by a HiTech instructor.

HCPSS 2025 Summer Lunch Meal Program provided by Howard County Public School.

Algebra 2A: Linear, Quadratic, Polynomial

Dive into the Arduino philosophy of learning through tinkering, problem solving, and rapid prototyping.

Dive into the intricate world of cells, uncovering the roles of mitochondria, DNA, and more. Discover how nanobots are revolutionizing medicine by targeting diseases precisely. Engage in interactive experiments, design your own nanobot,

Lights On, Lights Off! Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes when you flip a light switch on the wall or press the ON button of a battery-powered fan in the summer?

Exploring the intricacies and design processes of model LEGO car engines using a mechanical engineering mindset.

Registration required. Grades 6-12. 

Taught by a HiTech instructor.

Register once for all sessions.

Discover the basics of Java, a class-based, object-oriented language used to design applications. Learn data and expressions, using classes and objects, conditionals, and loops.

Learn about one, two, and three-point perspective and create illustrations using newfound knowledge. By learning perspective drawing techniques in Sketchbook Pro, students will be able to create illustrations with dynamic angles and views.

Learn how the creation of art is influenced by science and do experiments in chemistry, fluid dynamics, and color theory to make amazing works of art!

Ages 7 and up with adult.  60 min.  Ticket required.

Pluck and strum your way to learning fun tunes on the ukulele! Use one of our provided instruments or bring your own. No experience needed.

Stories, songs, fingerplays, and rhymes that celebrate all of us, our differences, and similarities, including families with two moms or two dads.

The students will do a deep dive into some of the marine environments they see often but know little about.

Engineer Pinball games for the HiTech Carnival!  Build a table-top pinball machine, and use Arduino micro-controllers, sensors and software to keep score!

Registration required. Grades 6-12. 

Using a variety of software and techniques, design your own keepsakes that you can print using the Glowforge™ laser cutter and engraver! 

Registration required. Grades 6-12.

Taught by a HiTech instructor.

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between you and a microorganism? Were you ever curious about the difference between cellular respiration and photosynthesis?

This 5-session series explores the world of generative AI through interactive lessons and hands-on activities.

Have you ever wondered what goes on during a crime scene investigation? Join us to learn the techniques forensic scientists use to crack a case. Learn about fingerprinting, footprinting, and hair, saliva, and DNA analysis.

You don't need a green thumb to understand the science, engineering, and math behind growing a garden. In this hands-on, project-based class, you will create your own garden and plant things that you can eat! 

Discover the world of post-production! Learn the skills of a film/video editor while acquiring an understanding of the technology involved with the profession. Edit video and audio using Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro X.

Let the Games begin! Take on engineering challenges of old with Rube Goldberg Challenges. In every class, we'll take on a new challenge while reinforcing core engineering principles.

This course will cover an overview of the topics in zoology, including cell biology, taxonomy, major vertebrate groups, physiology, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Activities related to the course material will be completed each day. 

Join us to celebrate 85 years of Howard County Library System and all things summer reading with activities for all ages! Sponsored in part by Friends and Foundation of HCLS. 

Step into the fun and active world of Teen Beyond Words, a vibrant and inclusive monthly class designed to spark joy and ignite the imagination of young people with developmental and intellectual disabil

Meet live animals, enjoy glitter tattoos, tasty treats, and have a ton of fun at this ultimate summer event rain or shine! Perfect for all ages. 

Celebrate HCLS' 85th Birthday Central-style!

Spread some birthday-themed cheer with our Summer Celebration Kindness Rock station! Paint, rocks, and art inspiration will be provided. 

Join us for a splash of color and creativity at our Glitter Tattoos by Face Works! Perfect for all ages, our talented artists will transform you into your glitteriest self!

Stop by Mike's Gelato's Trike and purchase some delicious, authentic Italian gelato! Ingredients and additional information can be found on their website here: https://mikesgelato.com/ 

No birthday party is complete without the classic party hat. Stop by and create a unique party hat with a variety of fun art supplies! 

Qaffee House serves up authentic and delicious espresso and chai beverages. Stop by their mobile beverage cart and purchase a tasty drink! For full menu and ingredients, visit their webiste here: https://www.qaffeehouse.com/

What helps an animal climb, fly, live in the water, or live on land? Will those adaptations help that animal in a different habitat? Echoes of Nature will teach us how amazing adaptations help an animal survive!

Ages 5-7; 60 min. Ticket required.

Math is all around us! Work together on games and puzzles; exploration and play strengthen math concepts.

Tickets available 15 minutes before class.

This class is an open workshop for artist to begin, work on, or complete a 2D art project of their choosing. The mediums supported in this workshop are:

What helps an animal climb, fly, live in the water, or live on land? Will those adaptations help that animal in a different habitat? Echoes of Nature will teach us how amazing adaptations help an animal survive!

All ages. Allow 30 min.

Are you ready to level up your gaming skills and have some fun? Stop by and play different video games that are fun for the whole family!

Welcome science fiction & fantasy enthusiasts and other intrepid readers!

Discuss a wide-array of SFF movies (quarterly on 2nd Wednesdays) and books (monthly on 4th Wednesdays)

Welcome science fiction & fantasy enthusiasts and other intrepid readers!

Discuss a wide-array of SFF movies (quarterly on 2nd Wednesdays) and books (monthly on 4th Wednesdays)

Love to read romance novels? Do you need an escape from reality? Join the Romance Reads Book Discussion!

Are you interested in 3D printing, optimizing designs for 3D printing, or building your own 3D printer at home?

Is English your second (or third) language? Practice speaking and listening in a small group.

Wednesdays, 7 - 8:30 pm

The English Conversation Class (ECC) provides opportunities for adult English language learners to practice speaking and listening skills, increase fluency, improve pronunciation skills, and build confidence to think and speak English in a relaxed

What helps an animal climb, fly, live in the water, or live on land? Will those adaptations help that animal in a different habitat? Echoes of Nature will teach us how amazing adaptations help an animal survive!