Tag hiTech

A teens with curly dark hair in red goggles, blue gloves, and a white jacket mixes a sustance in a beaker. A graduated cylinder holds multi-colored fluid.

HiTech classes return!

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A teens with curly dark hair in red goggles, blue gloves, and a white jacket mixes a sustance in a beaker. A graduated cylinder holds multi-colored fluid.

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.

Spring Break with HiTech

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Teens working together to test their simple robot.

HiTech is the library’s award-winning STEAM program for teens. Using advanced teaching tools and technology, our instructors encourage and inspire the next generation of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) professionals. Held year-round, our classes foster free expression while teaching critical skills and exciting STEAM concepts.

All spring break classes take place at Savage Branch from March 25 – 28 for middle and high school students. Registration and more information available here.

Origami Engineering
10 – 11 am, Savage Studio
Get hands-on experience in the ancient art of paper folding. Use origami to create structures like solar panels, bridges, and packing materials. Look at tessellating polygons and how these amazing structures
can be used by scientists and engineers.

Wonders of Chemical Reactions 1
10 – 11 am, Carver Lab
Explore chemistry in a fun and colorful environment. Conduct experiments that range from the physical and chemical properties of matter to Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry, and even Acid-Base Chemistry.

Acoustic Science
12 – 1 pm, Savage Studio
Learn about the science of acoustics as you explore the engineering of basic PA systems and small studio setups. Topics include sound, frequencies, dynamic microphones vs condenser microphones, and how to build a speaker/monitor.

STEM Heroes
12 – 1 pm, Carver Lab
Did you know that Mae Jemison made history as the first Black female astronaut? She is also an engineer, a physician, a professor, and an entrepreneur. Explore people throughout history and today who have contributed to the sciences.

Forensic Science: Biology
2 – 3 pm, Carver Lab
Have you ever wondered what goes on during a crime scene investigation? Learn the techniques forensic scientists use, such as fingerprinting, footprinting, and DNA analysis.

Movie Magic: Chroma Key
2 – 3 pm, AV Studio
Dive into the world of video special effects as you create your own reality. Record and edit video as you learn about the chroma key technique and how it evolved over time.

Audio Video Technology Workshop
4 – 5 pm, AV Studio
Record and mix music or create videos in the sound booth and with other equipment.

Cosmology
4 – 5 pm, Carver Lab
Do you watch The Big Bang Theory and want to know more about the Big Bang? Study the origin and development of the universe, and learn how to identify stars, constellations, and planets in the night sky.