The Makerspace
A Makerspace is a community center where tools are provided to design, engineer, fabricate and learn. All skill levels are welcome and it offers a safe do it yourself environment where failure is just another step in the learning process. Learning may be self-directed or instructor led, and Exploration Commons will provide the staff and guest instructors to assist with all learning styles.
Who may use the Makerspace
The Makerspace is for ages 8 – Adult. Children ages 8 – 11 may work with an equipment certified adult in the use of some machines in the space, but may not operate themselves. Children ages 12 – 15 may operate machinery with the assistance of an equipment certified adult. Persons aged 16 and older may operate any of the available equipment. An Exploration Commons/Library card is required to use makerspace equipment and all users must be certified to use select equipment.
Programs held in the Makerspace will be led by an instructor and may also have age restrictions depending on the equipment used or content of the program. An Exploration Commons/Library card is not required to attend programs.
Will there be a cost to use the Makerspace?
The use of the space is free. However, there will be a cost for some materials if required (filament, wood, acrylic, etc). There will also be programs where we need to charge to recoup expenses.
Hours and Staffing
The entire space will be open and staffed Monday - Thursday, 9 AM - 8 PM, Friday - Saturday, 9 AM - 5 PM. In addition to CCPL staff, we will be working with outside presenters from various industries, professors from Carroll Community College and McDaniel College, Carroll County Public Schools faculty, and local interns and volunteers. Our community has much to offer and we will require their expertise and support to make Exploration Commons a success.
Upcoming Classes and Programs
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This two-part program will introduce you to the basics of design, 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. Customers who successfully complete both sessions of this program will be certified for use of Exploration Commons’ CNC machine.
All program registrants must complete the prerequisite online Iconic CNC Machine Use and Safety Training prior to attending the first session of this program.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, March 30, 2023 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Learn the basics of using Tinkercad to design for 3D printing! We'll walk through basic 3D design using Tinkercad software and create a simple project to be 3D printed. No previous design experience is necessary!
Exploration Commons
Monday, April 3, 2023 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Wanna get into podcasting but don't know where to start? This is the class for you! We will cover the basics of the different recording software that we offer, along with an introduction to the equipment we provide in the Audio/Video Lab.
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, April 4, 2023 - 9:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 10 - 16
Registration and more information
Learn the necessary basics to feel comfortable using a sewing machine. This is a beginner-level class; you will leave feeling confident about the next steps to take toward sewing your own projects.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, April 6, 2023 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This two-part program will introduce you to the basics of design, 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. Customers who successfully complete both sessions of this program will be certified for use of Exploration Commons’ CNC machine.
All program registrants must complete the prerequisite online Iconic CNC Machine Use and Safety Training prior to attending the first session of this program.
Ages 12 to 15 are required to have a certified adult with them to independently use the CNC router.
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
Learning new technology should be fun, not intimidating! Join us for a very basic hands-on session where we'll create a simple wood laser cutter project and actually 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.
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 - 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Soldering is fun and fundamental to a wide assortment of maker electronic projects as well as modern technology. From simple light-up LEDs to complex robots, solder is the glue that holds the technological world together. Join us for a hands-on project where you will assemble and solder your very own electronic dice circuit.
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This beginner-friendly program is designed to introduce attendees to our Bernina sewing machines and serger. Attendees aged 12 - 15 must have an adult attend: the adult should also get certified during this course, if they are not already, as makers ages 12 - 15 wanting to use a sewing machine will need an adult present at all times, even if they are certified to use the machines themselves.
This course will finish with a practical and certification for our Bernina sewing machines!
Exploration Commons
Thursday, April 13, 2023 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Learn about using commercial and indie sewing patterns, measuring for size, and how to interpret and navigate written instructions. This is a beginner-friendly class, no sewing experience is required.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, April 13, 2023 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This two-part program will introduce you to the basics of design, 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. Customers who successfully complete both sessions of this program will be certified for use of Exploration Commons’ CNC machine.
All program registrants must complete the prerequisite online Iconic CNC Machine Use and Safety Training prior to attending the first session of this program.
Ages 12 to 15 are required to have a certified adult with them to independently use the CNC router.
Exploration Commons
Saturday, April 15, 2023 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Ever watch videos of people shooting lightning from their hands? See some crazy tech computer screens in your favorite sci-fi films? Or maybe some insane video transitions? Chances are that they all were made using the power of Adobe After Effects! In this class, we will cover the bare basics of the software and how to use some of its very unique features!
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 14 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Learn how to get a professional look for your finished sewn garments. Learn finishing and pressing techniques that will elevate your sewing and give you better results.
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This beginner-level laser cutter class will walk you through the basics of design, machine use, and safety procedures. Customers who successfully complete this program will be certified for use of Exploration Commons’ Fusion Pro laser cutter.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, April 20, 2023 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 12 - 17
Registration and more information
Step up your snacking game by creating a custom engraved snack board! Using design software and our Fusion Pro laser cutter, we'll personalize a bamboo snacking board and then head to the teaching kitchen to fill the board with yummy snacks!
Exploration Commons
Friday, April 21, 2023 - 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this class learn how to work with assemblies (multi-part models) in Inventor®. This program will focus on the basics of assembly creation along with the real-time physics features that Inventor® provides.
Exploration Commons
Monday, April 24, 2023 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This class will go over the basics of both the process of 3D printing and an overview of all the different 3D printing machines that we have in our Makerspace.
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This beginner-level laser cutter class will walk you through the basics of design, machine use, and safety procedures. Customers who successfully complete this program will be certified for use of Exploration Commons’ Fusion Pro laser cutter.