Teens, you can have a summer adventure at the library. Running through August 9, the HiTech summer program offers hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) classes to boost your skills, explore your interests, and create cool projects. Check out these tracks and choose one (or more than one!) that’s right for you.

• HiTech classes run through August 9.
• Individual classes can run for one to three weeks.
• Monday – Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.
• Classes are held at our East Columbia, Elkridge, and Savage branches.
• Ages 11 – 18
• Sign up begins three weeks prior to the first day of class at bit.ly/hitech-2024

STEAM Leadership Academy: Over two weeks, explore opportunities and skills for STEAM leadership. Interact with leaders in the field and apply what you learn to hands-on projects. Learn leadership skills that will be useful at school and throughout life.

Go Green: Dig deep into the world of horticulture as you explore hydroponics, green gardening, and the construction of living wells.

Underwater Science and Engineering: Dive in with the SeaPerch submersibles and marine science classes. SeaPerch is a remotely operated vehicle built by students to accomplish underwater competitions. Learn about the different living organisms, creatures, conditions, and aspects of underwater living.

Tech Foundations and Robotics: Learn and practice coding in Python, Java, CSS, Arduino, and other languages. Practice your programming skills as you make a humanoid robot move, customize a Ten80 race car, implement Generative AI to make a robotic arm play a game, or work on LEGO Mindstorms.

Engineering Your Way: Project-based engineering classes not only teach engineering principles but also create fun things people can use. Classes include civil engineering, aerospace engineering, and mechanical and electrical engineering, which work toward building carnival games or vacuum-formed objects. Practice the basics with mousetrap cars and compete in Rube Goldberg competitions.

Artistic Impressions: Use paints, computers, laser cutting, 3D printing, and other mediums to explore your artistic side. New this year: Interior design and architecture class.

Mathematically Speaking: “Short take” math classes introduce math concepts or help you refresh concepts from the past school year. Classes include games of probability and chance, computational thinking, algebra 1 & 2, geometry, and SAT math.

Scientific Perspectives: Geek out in this science track featuring physics, chemistry, biology, genetics, or nanomedicine. Build a weather balloon or conduct messy experiments.