
12th annual
Maryland STEM Festival
2026 theme · Artificial Intelligence
DAY 4
Today at the Festival
Monday, October 19, 2026
Discover events happening across Maryland throughout the Festival.
Published event spotlight
Explore the Festival

Maryland Museum of Natural Sciences
Go With the Flow COmmunity Stream Exploration
Discover the underwater world of macroinvertebrates. See them up close and learn how they indicate stream health and what roles they play in stream ecology. NHSM volunteers will show participants how to catch and identify macroinvertebrates. Suitable for ages 6 and up. All equipment will be provided. Dress for the weather and prepare to get wet and muddy. Macroinvertebrates are organisms that are large (macro) enough to be seen with the naked eye and lack a backbone (invertebrate). They inhabit all types of running waters, from fast-flowing mountain streams to slow-moving muddy rivers. Examples of aquatic macroinvertebrates include insects (in their adult, larval, or nymph forms), mollusks, crustaceans, and worms (Viklund, 2011). Location – Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, Baltimore (exact meeting location will be provided upon registration) Free, but please RSVP for planning purposes. Donations are accepted and much appreciated. ABOUT Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park is one of the largest woodland parks in an East coast city, constituting a contiguous area of 1000 acres (400 hectares), 84% of which is forest. Envisioned as a “stream valley park” to protect Baltimore’s watersheds from overdevelopment and to preserve their natural habitats, Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park today offers a rare opportunity for the public to explore a diverse natural environment characterized by stream valleys, ridge tops, and meadows; enjoy opportunities for active recreation; and experience historic structures from an earlier era. Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, designated as part of the Baltimore National Heritage Area, is managed and maintained by the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, assisted and supported by volunteers of the Friends of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park (FoGFLP).
#Environment #Zoology
Help us improve next year’s Festival. Share your experience in our attendee survey.
Our Mission
We’re Here To Make STEM Happen!
A Month Long Celebration!
The Maryland STEM Festival is a month-long celebration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics that takes place every Fall. In 2026, we’ll be bringing hundreds of events focused on fun, interactive science learning opportunities. Students, families, friends, STEM professionals, teachers, and volunteers will all enjoy events taking place throughout Maryland.
Highlights The Impact Of Science!
The Festival highlights the educational, cultural and financial impact of science in this state. Through hands-on activities, talks, lab tours, nature experiences, expos, exhibits and performances, the Festival engages a wide range of public audiences while inspiring future generations.
Cultivates A Positive Environment!
This Festival cultivates a positive environment that inspires children to pursue science-related careers and encourages businesses to invest in Maryland. The Festival energizes our state’s efforts to respond to these challenges.
Upcoming Events
Don’t Miss Out On Our Upcoming Events
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October 19, 2026 · All day
Ignite your curiosity in the Light Street Lab! Kids will explore the wonders of STEAM—science, technology, engineering, art, and math—through interactive, hands-on activities.
Best For: Elementary School, Middle SchoolEvent Location Type: In-PersonOrganizer: Enoch Pratt Free LibraryVenue: Light Street Library -
October 19, 2026 · All day
Dive into the world of science, technology, engineering, and math with fun, hands-on experiments and activities! Tangram is a traditional Chinese puzzle made of a square cut into seven specific flat pieces. Rearrange these seven pieces—called tans—to make different shapes like animals, people, or objects.
Best For: Elementary SchoolEvent Location Type: In-PersonOrganizer: Prince George’s County Memorial Library -
October 19, 2026 · 10:00 am–11:00 am
Construct ramps, engineer marble runs, and conduct experiments to find out what rolls, what slides, and how to make things roll faster and further.
Best For: Preschool, Elementary SchoolEvent Location Type: In-PersonOrganizer: St. Mary’s County LibraryVenue: Charlotte Hall Library -
October 19, 2026 · 10:00 am–10:45 am
Ages 3-5 with adult; 45 min. Ticket Required. Explore Fall themes through children’s literature, different art mediums, and hands-on learning. Dress for mess!
Best For: PreschoolEvent Location Type: In-PersonOrganizer: Howard County Library System -
October 19, 2026 · 10:30 am–5:00 pm
STEM activities changing Daily at our Makerspace table during branch hours. Ages 5-12
Best For: Elementary School, Middle SchoolEvent Location Type: In-PersonOrganizer: Washington County Free Library -
October 19, 2026 · 11:00 am–1:00 pm
Learn the fundamentals of 3D creation in this two-day introduction to Blender. Perfect for beginners, this class will guide you through the basics of navigating the interface, working with 3D objects, and creating your own simple models. Participants will explore the essential tools and techniques used in digital modeling, including transforming objects, editing shapes, applying…
Best For: High School, AdultsEvent Location Type: In-PersonOrganizer: Carroll County Public Library
Meet Our Sponsors




Testimonial
What Our Attendees Say
The Maryland STEM Festival hosts events for people of all ages, backgrounds, and areas of STEM. Learn more about our mission on the About Us page.

Elementary School
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“I made rockets, I got to pet a snake, and I got to make a tower out of paper straws to hold up a pumpkin!”

Middle School
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“It was very fun! I learned about robots and how they are made. I liked how a lot of the stations were hands on and interactive.”

College Graduate
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“I like that everyone gave anecdotes on how they got into Cybersecurity and gave tips on how people like me can get into Cybersecurity.”
Support Us
Support Maryland STEM Festival 2026
Your support helps bring hands-on STEM learning to communities across Maryland.













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