Upcoming Events
Check Currents publication (PDF) or the Calendar of Events site for more events.
Make Your Own Crackers
Friday, May 29, 2026 - 2:00pm - 3:30pmAges: Adults
Class registration and more information
Love crispy crackers but hate all the extra ingredients in store-bought? Learn to make crackers from scratch. We will be making two types of crackers and a simple, tasty spread to serve with them. These will be great additions to your next charcuterie board or just make a great snack.
Laser Etching on Fabric
Saturday, May 30, 2026 - 1:00pm - 4:00pmAges: Adults
Class registration and more information
Learn to use the Fusion Pro Laser to create etched designs on various types of fabric. All materials will be provided. Please cancel if unable to attend so that a waitlisted registrant may attend the program.
Advanced Baking: Black Forest Cake
Saturday, May 30, 2026 - 1:30pm - 3:45pmAges: 15 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Black Forest Gateau (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte) is a classic German dessert featuring layers of chocolate sponge cake, whipped cream, and cherries, flavored with Kirsch and decorated with more whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and cherries. Each student will scratch-bake one cake using the famous recipe from Drubba Black Forest Village.
Cooking for Wellness: Rainbow Antioxidant Salad
Monday, June 1, 2026 - 1:30pm - 3:30pmAges: 15 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
This colorful salad packs a wide variety of nutrients and antioxidants into a single meal. A dish that works great for BBQs, brunch, or your weekly meal prep. This recipe will be accompanied by a presentation on the Anti-inflammatory Diet with a registered dietitian. This class is provided through our partnership with Carroll Hospital.
3D Design a Pencil Holder with Tinkercad
Monday, June 1, 2026 - 5:30pm - 7:30pmAges: 12 - 18
Class registration and more information
Teens, come learn the basics of using Tinkercad to design for 3D printing! We'll walk through basic 3D design using Tinkercad software and create a pencil holder to be 3D printed. No previous design experience is necessary!
Intro to Basic Sewing Skills (Skill Level 0)
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - 5:00pm - 7:30pmAges: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class 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 sewn 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.
Editing Audio in Audacity
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - 2:00pm - 3:30pmAges: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Audacity is a free-to-use audio editing software available at Exploration Commons. In this class you will get a hands-on walkthrough of the main features and tools this software provides!
Laser Cutting Refresher
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - 4:30pm - 7:00pmAges: 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 Laser Certification is required.
Beginner Sewing Level 1: Sew a Boxy Zippered Pouch (Class 4)
Thursday, June 4, 2026 - 9:30am - 12:30pmAges: 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.
Intermediate Laser Skills: Designing Inlay Projects
Thursday, June 4, 2026 - 1:30pm - 3:30pmAges: 14 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Build your laser design skills and improve your Adobe Illustrator workflow in this intermediate class. Explore the key factors in cutting inlay designs, learn how to measure kerf, and edit files for accurate results. This class focuses on inlay designs where laser-cut pieces are sized to fit together. Registration requires Laser Certification and basic Adobe Illustrator experience.
Cooking Basics: Salad Dressing
Thursday, June 4, 2026 - 5:30pm - 7:00pmAges: 14 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Ever wonder how to make the delicious vinaigrettes and salad dressings you find at most restaurants? This class will teach you the proper ingredient ratios and techniques as well as how to dress a salad properly.
Create a Marble Maze with the CNC
Saturday, June 6, 2026 - 1:30pm - 4:30pmAges: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
In this program we will create a personalized mini-marble maze by utilizing our Carvera Desktop CNC! Basic computer experience is required, but no experience with the Carvera CNC is needed.
Note that the class is strictly for designing your project; they will be fully fabricated by Exploration Commons staff after this class is over. You will then be contacted to come pick up your project once it is completed.
This class does not result in CNC Certification for independent use.
Intro to Laser Cutting
Monday, June 8, 2026 - 10:00am - 12:00pmAges: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more informationThis class is for customers looking to become certified for independent use of the Exploration Commons laser cutters. We will cover simple project creation in Adobe Illustrator, the basics of the Epilog Dashboard software, and Epilog laser machine use and safety. 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. Due to the amount of information covered in this class, we strongly encourage registrants who do not have Adobe Illustrator experience to do one of the following prior to attending this class:
- Take an Intro to Adobe Illustrator class (in person at Exploration Commons or on LinkedIn Learning — use Library ID: carroll).
- Take a laser project class at Exploration Commons (one that does not require participants to be laser certified).
- Work through the online portion of the Exploration Commons hybrid laser certification module. (No need to take the quiz; we will do that at the end of class.)
Intro to Carvera CNC
Monday, June 8, 2026 - 4:00pm - 7:00pmAges: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
This two-day CNC certification class will introduce you to the design basics, machine use, and safety procedures for our new Makera Carvera desktop CNC machine. This class will cover project design utilizing Makera's congruent software, MakeraCAM, along with other compatible software available at Exploration Commons. The first session may end earlier than the given time.
Successful completion of the Prerequisite Module for the In-Person Carvera CNC Class is required prior to attending this class.
Customers aged 12 to 15 who complete their certification are required to have a certified adult with them to use the CNC machine independently.
Making for Seniors: Engrave a Simple Anodized Aluminum Project
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - 10:00am - 12:00pmAges: Adults
Class registration and more information
Learning new technology should be fun, not intimidating! Join us for a basic hands-on session where we'll use Adobe Illustrator to create a simple project to be engraved on an anodized aluminum item and watch your project being made on our Fusion Pro Laser Cutter. Previous basic computer experience is required. No previous experience with laser cutting or design software is needed. This class does not result in independent laser use certification.
Italian Biscotti
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - 2:00pm - 3:30pmAges: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Learn how to make crispy, twice-baked Italian Biscotti Cookies. Each table will make a different flavor batch to be split evenly among registrants. We'll make espresso drinks while the cookies bake so we can enjoy our biscotti as a traditional treat dipped in coffee!
Prehistoric Projects: Laser-Engraved Dinosaur Puzzles
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - 5:00pm - 7:30pmAges: 8 - 12
Class registration and more information
Come celebrate Summer Reading with a special prehistoric project: laser-engraved dinosaur puzzles! This is a pairs-making class. It is intended for one child that is 8-12 years old and one Exploration Commons laser-certified adult. Each adult may only be registered with one child. Registrations that do not have an adult listed who is already laser-certified will be cancelled.
Each registration must include:
One child aged 8-12
One adult who is Exploration Commons laser-certified
Sewing Skills: Interfacing Basics
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - 9:30am - 12:00pmAges: 16 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
Learn how to use interfacing to improve the structure and finish of your sewing projects. This beginner-level class will introduce common types of interfacing and explain when and how to use them in both garment and project construction. Students will work with different types of interfacing and leave with samples. The class will also review sewing terminology and construction concepts. Resource handouts will be provided.
Class Prerequisites: Exploration Commons' Sewing Machine Certification
Required Materials: A sewing machine and all materials will be provided.
Next Steps with Onshape
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - 1:00pm - 4:00pmAges: 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.
Wok Cooking Basics
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - 5:00pm - 7:00pmAges: Adults
Class registration and more information
In this hands-on class, gain an introductory understanding of wok cooking and learn how to prepare your recipe for the best results. We will prepare a plant-based recipe to practice our new cooking skill.
Class format: Class capacity is 10 people. Registrants will cook with one other attendee in this class to prepare a dish to share between them.
Basic Knife Skills
Thursday, June 11, 2026 - 1:00pm - 2:30pmAges: 15 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
This hands-on class will cover everything you need to know about caring for your knives and how to use them. You'll learn how to chop, dice, and mince and get plenty of practice with other professional cuts. This is a beginner class.
Intro to Carvera CNC
Thursday, June 11, 2026 - 4:00pm - 7:00pmAges: 12 - Adults, Adults
Class registration and more information
This two-day CNC certification class will introduce you to the design basics, machine use, and safety procedures for our new Makera Carvera desktop CNC machine. This class will cover project design utilizing Makera's congruent software, MakeraCAM, along with other compatible software available at Exploration Commons. The first session may end earlier than the given time.
Successful completion of the Prerequisite Module for the In-Person Carvera CNC Class is required prior to attending this class.
Customers aged 12 to 15 who complete their certification are required to have a certified adult with them to use the CNC machine independently.
