Come on board. It’s your one stop trip to higher level math! In this course, we’ll be reviewing one-variable statistics and linear equations, inequalities, and systems.

Prerequisite: This class is a review of Algebra 2; registrants must have already taken Algebra 2 in school.

Are you taking Algebra 1 this fall? Review Pre-Algebra skills and get a preview. Get a head start on the PARCC assessment that you will take at the end of the course. Graphing calculators recommended.

Registration required. Grades 6-9.

Computational thinking and design is a dynamic course that introduces students to the fundamental concepts of computational thinking and design thinking through a blend of interactive lessons, hands-on projects, and collaborative activities.

Focus on the science and modeling of long-term shifts in our world’s temperatures and weather patterns. Create a hands-on project class that attempts to create small global changes and identify changes they want to see.

Experience writing code in HTML or continue to improve current skills in code writing.

Registration required. Grades 6-12. 

Taught by a HiTech instructor.

Prepare for Algebra by learning the basic terms and concepts used to solve equations in this Pre-Algebra class. 

Registration required. Grades 6-9 only. 

Taught by a HiTech instructor.

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.

Allow 20 min.

Play with our toys, read a board book, and visit with others.

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.

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. 

Engineer a Strongman Game for the HiTech Carnival!  Build this classic carnival game from scratch using Arduino micro-controllers, pressure sensors, and LED lights. Whoever can light up the most lights wins!

Compete in the ultimate racing challenge! Working in teams, learn how mechanical systems operate by using a 1:10 scale electric radio-controlled car that can be set up in 4 million ways. Teams race their engines at the HiTech Carnival!

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?

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. 

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. Create programming projects each day based on the topics covered.

This course is an introduction to paleontology. Learn about a variety of fascinating fossils, how they are formed, and how they inform us about the Earth’s past. 

Registration required. Grades 6-12.

Sound effects are an integral part of video and animation. After learning about the history of sound effects and the basic physics of sound, we will create sound effect objects for telling stories in motion picture formats.

Ever wonder how meteorologists predict storms and detect weather patterns? Launch a weather balloon to collect high-altitude video footage and weather data.

Registration required. Grades 6-12.

Taught by a HiTech instructor.

Join other adults who knit, crochet, embroider, and sew, in an open forum for creating, conversing, sharing, and learning. This is a hybrid event, so if you would like to attend remotely via Zoom, contact pinsneedlearts@hclibrary.org.

JUST FOR ME

Ages 3-6; 30 min.

For children who are ready for an independent class that includes creative expression, listening comprehension, and early reading skills.

All ages; 30 min.

Come experience the joys of music and movement. 

Ages 2-3 years with adult; 30 min. Ticket required.

Preschoolers develop skills for talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing through stories, songs, fingerplays, and rhymes. 

Ticket required. Tickets will be given out 15 minutes prior to class.

JUST FOR ME

Ages 3-6; 30 min.

For children who are ready for an independent class that includes creative expression, listening comprehension, and early reading skills.

All ages; 30 min.

Come experience the joys of music and movement. 

Would you live in a 3D printed house? Join us to learn how 3D technology is transforming the field of civil engineering. Try your hand at constructing a truss bridge using 3D pens to test your engineering prowess.

Creating sound has been a preoccupation of humanity since the beginning of time. But what is sound? How is it created, and how can we manipulate it into the variety of tones, pitches, and timbres that become symphony or cacophony?

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

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 iMovie and Logic Pro X.

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.

Join us for an in person discussion of The Art Thief by Michael Finkel 12 pm July 18th, 2025 at the Central Branch.

Learn about the elements as you arrange the periodic table, name compounds, balance equations, and discuss orbitals, electron configuration, and VSPER Theory.

Registration required. Grades 6-12.

Taught by a HiTech instructor.

Learn the basics of programming in Python! Create games, interactive programs, and anything else you want. Absolutely no experience required -- you'll learn how to program a basic game in the first class!

To continue meeting the growing need to feed hungry children and families and fill the nutritional gap over the summer months, the Howard County Public School System -HCPSS- continues its free summer meal program

Learn how to use TinkerCAD and the basics of 3D Modeling and 3D printing.

Registration required. Grades 6-12.

Taught by a HiTech instructor.

Register once for all sessions.

Did you know that programming is a key component in many technologies used today? Robotics and automation are two of the areas that are at the forefront of technologies that require programming knowledge.

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.

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.

Want to know how to garden without soil? Learn about the structure of plants and explore various hydroponics technologies to grow food using less space and less water.

Registration required. Grades 6-12.

Learn about the elements as you arrange the periodic table, name compounds, balance equations, and discuss orbitals, electron configuration, and VSPER Theory.

Registration required. Grades 6-12.

Taught by a HiTech instructor.

Come and learn how to program a robotic arm! You won't just program the arm to move and carry out simple tasks, but you will also program generative AI, enabling the robotic arm to grow smarter with each movement it makes.

Learn to Sew: Sewing Machine Skills for Teens

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.

Read and discuss light-hearted books that will make us smile. The books will talk about love, hope, and grace. They will include humor, and perhaps some snark, to spice things up. It will be fun! Join us. 

3rd Thursdays: 2 - 3 pm

Ages 6-10. 45-60 min. Ticket required. 

Explore the science of electricity by designing and building circuits!

B-I-N-G-O! Get sociable and win prizes. Compete and converse with other bingo fans. 

Ages 14-17, 2 hours.

Prerequisite: Histology

Discover the gross anatomy of the human body. Discuss the form and function of three organ systems that help us live, feel, and heal. We’ll cover the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems.

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.

Engineer a Skee Ball Game for the HiTech Carnival!  Build this classic carnival game from scratch using Arduino micro-controllers, sensors and software to keep score of your game. Highest score wins!

Using the principles of engineering, help us keep our carnival cool this year by building the water mister arch! Registration required. Grades 6-12.

Taught by a HiTech instructor.

Students will brainstorm, personalize, engineer, and problem-solve prototypes of toys.

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!

Scientists use lots of different telescopes to peer into the vastness of space. What have they found? From powerful supernovas and quasars to massive black holes and huge nebulas, the universe is full of extreme and strange objects.

Design and build a champion mousetrap car! Explore physics and engineering concepts such as torque, energy, and inertia to maximize speed and distance -- all the way to the finish line!

Grades 6-12.

This is a 2-week class.

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.

Explore the use of color and tie-dye techniques in this fun class.  Students will tie-dye drawstrings bags, pencil cases, and fabric that will be part of a larger project for the Carnival.

Registration required. Grades 6-12.

Dive into underwater robotics.  This summer stop by and participate in the 3-week Seaperch submersibles and marine science classes. SeaPerch is a remotely operated vehicle built by students to accomplish underwater competitions.

Ages 9-12. Registration required. 

Families (Recommended for ages 2-10).  45-60 min.  Ticket required.

Ages 7-9.  45 minutes.  Registration required.

Effective college applications depend on good transcripts. But why, and are transcripts more than just grades?

This is an in-person class for adult English Language Learners.  Practice English conversational skills and discuss topics ranging from small talk and common interests to life, work and current events. Please email prolit@hclibrary.org for mo

Get ready to kick off the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with an electrifying evening of trivia! Questions covering Olympic history, world cultures, and eclectic trivia will keep you engaged and entertained.

All ages with adult; 30 min.  Ticket required.

Únase a nosotros para cuentos, canciones y rimas bilingues. Seguido de un tiempo de juego. Join us for bilingual stories, songs and rhymes. Followed by a playtime.

Ticket required. Free tickets will be available 15 minutes before class.

The English Conversation Club (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

Explore the genre of nonfiction and join our discussions on third Thursdays!

Jul 18:  Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder

Aug 15: Summer Break

Explore the genre of nonfiction and join our discussions on third Thursdays!
 

Jul 18:  Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder

Aug 15: Summer Break

Attention Teens in Middle School and Beyond:

Please join us for trivia night.

Test your knowledge and earn cool prizes.

Drop in alone or with a family member ages 11+.

We will be discussing Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Adults. Registration required.

Have you ever wondered about arrangements that you, or your loved ones, should make for retirement and those later years of life?