Exploration Commons Home

Upcoming Events

Check Currents publication (PDF) or the Calendar of Events site for more events.

Traditional Irish Favorites

Friday, March 13, 2026 - 11:00am - 1:00pm
Ages: Adults
Class registration and more information

Wear your green and learn to make traditional Irish brown bread. While your bread bakes, we'll demo Guinness Beef Stew and Champ. You will have the chance to taste all three recipes at the end of class.

Advanced Sewing: Make a Korean Jeogori (Wrap Top)

Saturday, March 14, 2026 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

Looking to put your sewing skills to the test? We'll make a Korean wrap top known as a jeogori together during this advanced-level class. 

Class Prerequisites: Exploration Commons' Sewing Machine Certification

Registrants should already feel comfortable with cutting patterns efficiently, sewing basic stitches, and independently operating the machine without assistance.

Robot Coding with Pepper

Monday, March 16, 2026 - 10:00am - 11:30am
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

Code with Pepper, CCPL's social humanoid robot! Program Pepper to strike up a conversation using the drag-and-drop interface, Choregraphe. No previous coding experience is required. Pepper was funded by a Library Services and Technology Act Grant from the Maryland State Library and Institute of Museum and Library Services. 

Cook Together: Easy Lasagna Roll-Ups

Monday, March 16, 2026 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 6 - 17
Class registration and more information

In this family-friendly class, we will make delicious lasagna roll-ups and will enjoy our meal together in the kitchen. This class is designed for groups of up to four participants and must include:

  • At least one child aged 6–17

  • At least one adult 

  • The remaining two spots in the group may be filled by additional participants aged 6 or older or left unfilled. 

Baking Basics: Traditional Irish Soda Bread

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 - 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

Get your Irish on! Join CCPL Board Member Dave O'Callaghan to bake a loaf of his family's age-honored Traditional Irish Soda Bread recipe.

While your loaf bakes, Dave will share Irish history, songs, and shenanigans!  There is no cost for this class; please cancel your reservation if needed so that others on the waitlist may attend.

Intro to Roland GS-24 Vinyl Cutter

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 - 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

Come learn how to use the Roland GS-24 Vinyl Cutter, which can cut 24-inch-wide rolls by however long you want! This machine is like the Cricut Maker but can create larger projects like window decals. Participants will learn how to operate the machine, what materials it accepts, and the software required to use it.

Laser Cutting Refresher

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

If it's been a while since you passed your Exploration Commons laser certification and you could use a refresher on the process, this class is for you! Get a reintroduction to the basics of using our Epilog Fusion Pro and Edge lasers.  

This class is for customers who have already been certified for Exploration Commons independent laser use. This class does not result in independent laser cutter use certification.

Previous Exploration Commons Laser Certification is required.

Understanding 3D Models: What Can I 3D Print?

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

In this class, we will review the basics of what to look out for in 3D models that you would like to have 3D printed. We will review several models using the 3D modeling software Tinkercad and the 3D printer software PrusaSlicer.

Cooking Basics: Eggs and Easy Breakfasts

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 - 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

This class is for beginner cooks with limited kitchen experience. Participants will learn the parts of a nutritionally balanced breakfast and how to prepare simple items through a mix of demonstration and hands-on activities. 

We will learn how to:

  • make hard-boiled eggs
  • separate egg whites from the yolk
  • scramble eggs
  • cook oatmeal

Participants will also prepare egg muffin cups and baked oatmeal squares. 

This program is for first-time Teaching Kitchen participants only. Registrations from anyone who has previously attended a kitchen class will be canceled. 

This program is provided in partnership with the American Heart Association. 
 

Beginner Sewing Level 1: Sew a Boxy Zippered Pouch (Class 4)

Thursday, March 19, 2026 - 9:30am - 12:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

Get acquainted with the sewing machine and basic tools of the trade. Practice adding a zipper to a sturdy, boxy pouch known as a Dopp bag. You will learn about adding a zipper to fully lined bags, using edge stitching, and how to box corners.

Class Prerequisites: Exploration Commons' Sewing Machine Certification

Required Materials: A sewing machine and all materials will be provided.

About Beginner Sewing Level 1: These classes introduce new or less experienced sewists to beginning sewing information and resources with hands-on practice.

Beginner Sewing Level 1 classes introduce and practice the following skills:

  • basic sewing tools
  • cutting, measuring, and marking fabric
  • pressing with an iron
  • basting and sewing

You can take Level 1 classes in any order, but beginners will benefit most by taking the first three classes, Class 1, 2, and 3, in sequence.

Adobe Illustrator: Beyond the Basics

Thursday, March 19, 2026 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

Wanting to go more in-depth with your design techniques using Adobe Illustrator? Then this is the class for you! We will cover tools, tips, and tricks that go beyond our standard intro classes. 

We recommend taking the Intro to Adobe Illustrator class before attending this program. 

Intro to Laser Cutting

Friday, March 20, 2026 - 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

This beginner-level laser cutter class will walk you through design basics, machine use, and safety procedures. At the instructor's discretion, customers who successfully complete this program will be certified to use the Exploration Commons' Fusion Pro and Fusion Edge laser cutters.

Customers aged 12 to 15 who complete their certification are required to have a certified adult with them to use the laser independently.

Open Sewing Studio (Bring Your Own Sewing Machine)

Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 10:00am - 2:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

Open Sewing Studio is an opportunity to enjoy freestyle sewing with other sewists. Come in and work on your sewing projects in the company of others. A volunteer will be available to answer questions or provide feedback during this program. All skill levels are welcome. You must bring your own sewing supplies and tools.

Note: This is not an instructional class; no materials will be provided.

This registration is for individuals bringing their own sewing machine. You must have a working knowledge of how to thread and operate your machine to register.

If you want to reserve a sewing machine, please register for the other version of this program.

Open Sewing Studio (Reserve a Sewing Machine)

Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 10:00am - 2:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

Open Sewing Studio is an opportunity to enjoy freestyle sewing with other sewists. Come in and work on your sewing projects in the company of others. A volunteer will be available to answer questions or provide feedback during this program. All skill levels are welcome. You must bring your own sewing supplies and tools.

Note: This is not an instructional class; no materials will be provided.

This registration will reserve a sewing machine for use. You must be certified for independent use to register for this program. 

If you want to bring your own sewing machine, please register for the other version of this program.

Bake Together: Bugs and Blooms Marshmallow Fondant Cookie Decorating

Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages: 8 - 12
Class registration and more information

Add some sweetness to your spring afternoon! In this hands-on Bake Together workshop, you’ll learn how to make soft, delicious marshmallow fondant from scratch and then learn some fun techniques to use it to decorate prebaked sugar cookies into fun bugs, butterflies, and blooms. No piping required! 

This is a pairs cooking class. It is intended for one child that is 8-12 years old and one adult per pair.

Books and Bites: A Taste of Maryland Authors

Monday, March 23, 2026 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

As part of the Maryland 250 celebration, let's meet in the Teaching Kitchen to make a traditional Maryland favorite, Savory Crabmeat Cobbler, followed by a discussion of Maryland authors led by Westminster Branch librarians. This is a joint program with CCPL's Westminster Branch and Exploration Commons. Books will be available to check out at the event.

Custom Engraved Leatherette Journals

Monday, March 23, 2026 - 4:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

In this beginner-friendly class, we will utilize our laser engravers to mark a custom design of your own onto a custom leatherette journal! Color variations of the journals are highly limited and will be given out on a first come, first served basis. 

The longer class time is necessary for this program to give ample time for design alterations and customization. 

If you have previously taken this class at EC50, please do not register so that someone else may have the opportunity to attend.

Intro to Web Design: Two-Part Class

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the fundamentals of web design by exploring both HTML and CSS. 

Day 1 focuses on HTML, covering essential elements like headings, paragraphs, links, images, and forms to build the basic structure of a web page. 

Day 2 introduces CSS, where participants will learn how to style their pages using colors, fonts, layouts, and responsive design techniques. By the end of the program, attendees will have created a simple, styled web page—an excellent starting point for their web development journey!

Next Steps with Onshape

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 - 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 14 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

Welcome to the world of 3D modeling and design. In this class, we will review the computer-aided design (CAD) software Onshape by diving into the fundamentals and techniques to make a claw assembly. It is recommended that you have taken an Introduction to Onshape and 3D Printing class or are familiar with Onshape before taking this class.

Cheese Basics: Taste & Explore

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 - 10:30am - 11:30am
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

This class introduces simple methods for tasting and describing cheese with confidence. You’ll learn to slow down, notice details, and build your cheese vocabulary. 

Intro to Vacuum Forming: Maryland Flag Chocolate Mold

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

In this hands-on class, we will discuss some aspects of 3D design that are important to designing for mold creation and learn how to use Exploration Commons' Vaquform machines to create a mold. Then, we'll head to the teaching kitchen to make a chocolate Maryland flag with our newly created molds. 

Beginner Sewing Level 1: Sew a Bucket Bag (Class 5)

Thursday, March 26, 2026 - 9:30am - 12:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

Get acquainted with the sewing machine and basic tools of the trade. Learn to sew a round base into a medium-sized bag and finish the incorporated handles.

Class Prerequisites: Exploration Commons' Sewing Machine Certification

Required Materials: A sewing machine and all materials will be provided.

About Beginner Sewing Level 1: These classes introduce new or less experienced sewists to beginning sewing information and resources with hands-on practice.

Beginner Sewing Level 1 classes introduce and practice the following skills:

  • basic sewing tools
  • cutting, measuring, and marking fabric
  • pressing with an iron
  • basting and sewing

You can take Level 1 classes in any order, but beginners will benefit most by taking the first three classes, Class 1, 2, and 3, in sequence.

Advanced Baking: German Chocolate Cake

Thursday, March 26, 2026 - 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

Learn to prepare a classic German Chocolate Cake in this hands-on class. We will make a rich chocolate layer cake topped with a custard-style coconut pecan icing. Participants will work in pairs to prepare one 8-inch layer cake, which will be divided so each person takes home half a finished cake. The recipe for this class contains gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, and coconut. 

We will have a short 30-minute break during this class; you may want to bring a lunch or snack to be consumed during the break.

Design an Augmented Reality Scavenger Hunt Game with Delightex

Thursday, March 26, 2026 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information

Augmented reality allows us to combine digital elements with real-world objects. Join us to learn how to create and code a simple augmented reality scavenger hunt. Using Delightex (formerly Cospaces Edu), we will walk through a facilitated project build you can share with family and friends. 

Featured