All CCPL locations will be closed for the Christmas Holiday Tuesday, December 24 through Wednesday, December 25. We will reopen for regular hours on Thursday, December 26.
Check Currents or the Calendar of Events site for more events.
Exploration Commons
Saturday, December 21, 2024 - 10:00am - 2:00pm
Ages: 14 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Open Sewing Studio is an opportunity to enjoy freestyle sewing with other sewists. Come in and work on your holiday sewing projects in the company of others. A volunteer will be available to answer questions or provide feedback during this program.
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 for use, click here to register.
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.
Exploration Commons
Saturday, December 21, 2024 - 10:00am - 2:00pm
Ages: 14 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Open Sewing Studio is an opportunity to enjoy freestyle sewing with other sewists. Come in and work on your holiday sewing projects in the company of others. A volunteer will be available to answer questions or provide feedback during this program.
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, click here to register.
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.
Exploration Commons
Saturday, December 21, 2024 - 2:00pm - 3:15pm
Ages: 6 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this hands-on class, we'll make marshmallows to cut at home and jars of hot cocoa mix to give as gifts or keep for yourself.
One registration per group, up to four participants. For groups with children ages six and up, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Exploration Commons
Monday, December 23, 2024 - 9:30am - 12:30pm
Ages: 14 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Make a reversible holiday gift bag in this class. Get further acquainted with the sewing machine and basic sewing tools. In this class, you will learn the basics of creating a reversible gift bag with a boxed base and drawstring closure.
Apply these skills and more to create a 9" x 12" reversible drawstring gift bag.
Prerequisites:
- Intro to Basic Sewing Skills and/or have EC sewing machine certification
Materials: A sewing machine and all necessary materials will be provided.
Exploration Commons
Monday, December 23, 2024 - 10:00am - 11:30am
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Love breakfast teas? Learn about the history, cultures, and varieties of three popular breakfast teas: Irish, English, and Scottish. Proper brewing techniques and tasting tips will be provided.
Exploration Commons
Monday, December 23, 2024 - 4:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
'Tis the season of making! And what better way to celebrate than hopping into an introductory 3D printing and design class where you will model your own 3D printed present box!
Exploration Commons
Friday, December 27, 2024 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages: 8 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this group cooking class, we will make quick-rise cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting from scratch. One registration is good for up to 4 attendees, with a minimum of 2 per group. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Each group will make one recipe.
Exploration Commons
Saturday, December 28, 2024 - 10:00am - 11:30am
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Love breakfast teas? Learn about the history, cultures, and varieties of three popular breakfast teas: Irish, English, and Scottish. Proper brewing techniques and tasting tips will be provided.
Exploration Commons
Monday, December 30, 2024 - 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 14 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Learn the basics to feel comfortable using a sewing machine. This introductory-level class includes the EC sewing machine certification necessary for many other classes and/or independent sewing machine use in the makerspace.
If you've never touched a sewing machine or a sewing needle, or if it's been years since you've sewed, and you need a refresher on the basics, then this class is for you.
Prerequisite: None
Materials: A sewing machine and all necessary materials will be provided.
Exploration Commons
Monday, December 30, 2024 - 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Join us for a crossover program between our makerspace and teaching kitchen to make a custom laser-engraved charcuterie board. We'll finish our class in the kitchen by designing a full board of cheeses, meats, and other tasteful items, perfect for taking to your NYE party!
Exploration Commons
Thursday, January 2, 2025 - 9:30am - 12:30pm
Ages: 14 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Get acquainted with the sewing machine and basic tools of the trade. Learn about various fabric stabilizers and how to sew various stitches, including sewing in a straight line. Apply these techniques to make a small fabric basket to catch loose threads.
Class Prerequisites: Intro to Basic Sewing Skills and/or EC 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:
- basis 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 might benefit most from following the Class 1, 2, and 3 sequence.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, January 2, 2025 - 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
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.
Exploration Commons
Friday, January 3, 2025 - 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Learn the basic features of Adobe Illustrator. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and explore the program through hands-on instruction. No experience is required!
Exploration Commons
Saturday, January 4, 2025 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages: 13 - 18
Registration and more information
Hey, teens, let's meet in the kitchen to prepare a new recipe that will impress your family and friends. Improve your independent cooking skills with hands-on experience in the kitchen. We will prepare Fajitas, Pico de Gallo, and a quick Guacamole topping.
Exploration Commons
Monday, January 6, 2025 - 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Meal planning can be challenging for many, and knowing what to do with the leftover veggies at the of the week can be tricky. We will learn a recipe that uses leftover veggies and the produce that might turn. This recipe will use all those veggies in a nutrition-dense sauce while re-setting your fridge for the next week. Enjoy while we discuss meal planning and grocery shopping. This class is provided through The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County and Carroll Hospital.
Exploration Commons
Monday, January 6, 2025 - 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This two-part program will introduce you to design basics, machine use, and safety procedures for our Iconic i2015 CNC Router. Session one will focus on project design and the VCarve software. Session two covers machine use, including hands-on time with the CNC machine.
All program registrants must complete the prerequisite online Iconic CNC Machine Use and Safety Training before attending the first session of this program.
At the instructor's discretion, customers who successfully complete both sessions of this program will be certified to use Exploration Commons' CNC machine. Customers aged 12 to 15 who complete their certification are required to have a certified adult with them to use the CNC router independently.
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 - 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 8 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
We're taking a fun winter twist on everyone's favorite edge-lit signs class! Choose from a selection of holiday-themed cut-out designs for your acrylic sign. These bright and colorful projects are a way to display a message or add flare to your room, desk, or workspace. In this program, you’ll laser engrave festive-themed artwork of your choice onto a piece of clear acrylic and light it up with a provided multi-color LED light stand.
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 - 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This two-part program will introduce you to design basics, machine use, and safety procedures for our Iconic i2015 CNC Router. Session one will focus on project design and the VCarve software. Session two covers machine use, including hands-on time with the CNC machine.
All program registrants must complete the prerequisite online Iconic CNC Machine Use and Safety Training before attending the first session of this program.
At the instructor's discretion, customers who successfully complete both sessions of this program will be certified to use Exploration Commons' CNC machine. Customers aged 12 to 15 who complete their certification are required to have a certified adult with them to use the CNC router independently.
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - 9:30am - 12:30pm
Ages: 14 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Get further acquainted with the sewing machine and basic tools of the trade. Learn how to work with different-weight fabrics and sew a boxed corner. Students will also learn about topstitching, reinforcement stitching, and how to use webbing to make bag handles. Apply these skills and more to make a lined canvas tote bag with coordinating handles.
Class Prerequisites: Intro to Basic Sewing Skills and/or EC 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:
- basis 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 might benefit most from following the Class 1, 2, and 3 sequence.
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Learn a quick stovetop bread recipe to serve with any meal. In this hands-on class, you will prepare a fluffy skillet bread that can be made on a busy weeknight.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:30am
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
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 Laser Certification is required.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Guest Andrew Preziosi will teach us how to make a traditional New Mexico dish: green chile and tomato sauce topped with sunny-side eggs covered with Monterey Jack cheese, served over fried corn tortillas. Chile con Queso with tortilla chips will be made as a starter.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Welcome to the exciting world of 3D design and modeling! In this comprehensive, hands-on session in Onshape, a powerful cloud-based computer-aided design (CAD) platform, we will dive into the fundamental concepts and practical techniques needed to design for 3D printing.
Exploration Commons
Friday, January 10, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Ideal for beginning cooks, this hands-on class will have participants work in pairs to learn the tricks to turning crispy breaded chicken cutlets into delicious Chicken Parmesan.
