Maryland STEM Festival

UMES Extension 4-H STEM Expo
2025-10-18 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | UMES Engineering & Aviation Sciences Building, 30690 University Blvd. S. Kiah Hall 1112, Princess Anne, MD, 21853, United States
Join us on October 18th from 10 am to 2 pm for a day of hands-on interactive activities. The 2025 University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension 4-H STEM Expo is a free event that is open to youth of all ages and their families. Located on the UMES campus in our Engineering & Aviation Sciences complex.
All are welcome, whether you are a youth exploring the world of STEM or a parent looking for future opportunities to inspire the next generation. This is the event for you as the events goal is to promote STEM related organizations, careers, and degrees.
This years exhibitors include:
UMES Professors from all STEM disciplines
NASA Wallops Island
Pocomoke State Forrest
National Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Division
And more…
The 2025 University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension 4-H STEM Expo coordinated by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension 4-H STEM faculty/staff will be held on Saturday, October 18th , 2025, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This event will once again be held inside (limited outside space could be used upon request) the UMES Engineering & Aviation Science Complex on campus in Princess Anne, Maryland.
We invite you or a representative from your organization/department to offer an interactive exhibit at this year’s event. The UMES Extension 4-H STEM Festival is part of the broader Maryland STEM Festival, whose statewide theme is “Energy” (do not worry about following this theme for our event). We ask all exhibitors to have an interactive display/activity station that promotes STEM related careers/degrees that your organization is connected to or meets the statewide theme. Our focus is youth in K-12 and families with past festival years drawing from 175 to 400 participants.
Each exhibitor will be supplied with a table and 2 chairs (more tables or chairs available upon request). If you need electricity for your table, please let us know through the JotForm below. The event starts at 10:00 am and we ask you to have your exhibit/activity set up by 9:30 am on October 18th 2025. Breakdown/clean up begins at 2:00 pm.
Please consider joining us for another great UMES Extension 4-H STEM Expo. To register your organization/group please complete the Exhibitor Registration Form (https://form.jotform.com/252195123635152 ). We kindly ask that you respond by Friday October 3rd 2025 to give us time to coordinate tables and space.
Please share this information with any colleagues or organizations that you think would be willing to take part or attend the event.

Kids Discover: Pumpkin Sensory Bottles
2025-10-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Hagerstown Branch, 100 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD, 21740, United States
Join us for Kids Discover/Little Explorers STEM and create your own Pumpkin Patch Sensory Bottle. We’ll be exploring with orbeez (water beads) also. This event takes place on Saturday October 18th from 11am-12pm. Storytime and instruction begin promptly at 11am, but the room is open to complete activities until 12pm. Registration required. Ages 3-10. Hope to see you there!

Animate the Stars: Where Science Meets Art
2025-10-18 16:00 - 17:30 | White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, 209043, United States
Animation professor Laurence Arcadias and NASA astronomer Robin Corbet team up to show us how to use state of the art animation techniques to illustrate the movements of the stars and planets!
The program begins with a short presentation on an astronomical phenomenon — past examples include Pluto, Sunspots, or The Solar Eclipse.
Participants then receive printed sheets of stills from an existing film that relates to the theme Robin introduced. Using markers, crayons, stickers, stamps, etc., we will creatively transform these frames into works of art! Scientists and artists CAN be friends!

Family Nature Program: Mysterious World of Bats
2025-10-19 15:00 - 16:00 | Middletown Branch Library, 31 East Green St, Middletown, MD, 21769, United States
Ever wonder what it is like to be a bat? Come explore the magical and mysterious world of bats through hands-on activities and crafts with Naturalist Timothy Olson. Sponsored by the Middletown Sustainability Committee. (families, all ages)

Take N Make: Pantograph Art Machine
2025-10-20 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-21 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-22 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-23 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-24 09:00 - 17:00 | Hagerstown Branch, 100 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD, 21740, United States
Register to pick up your Take N Make kit at the library branch of your choice between October 20 and 24. For ages 6 to 12. Registration required. This month’s Take N Make project: Make a Pantograph!

Little Adventurers
2025-10-20 11:00 - 11:30 | Emmitsburg Library, 300 South Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, MD, 21727, United States
Children learn and explore through hands on activities using science, technology, engineering, art, and math concepts at the library. Caregivers are encouraged to connect with children and participate in the activities!

Spooky STEM Activities
2025-10-20 15:00 - 16:00 | Brooklyn Park Branch Library, 1 East 11th Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21225, United States
Build a “haunted” house, weave your very own spider web, or both!

Luminous Lantern Tea Light Holder Making
2025-10-20 16:00 - 18:00 | Because Science, 1759 columbia rd nw, washington, DC, 20009, United States
Create Your Own Halloween-Themed Tea Light Holder!
We’ll provide all the materials, guide you through the creation process, and you’ll have an adorable, handmade Halloween decoration to take home!
Why This Activity is Perfect for Everyone:
Hands-On Fun: Enjoy a creative and engaging crafting experience.
Family-Friendly: Adults and kids are welcome to join in the excitement.
Take-Home Project: Leave with a unique tea light holder that you can showcase at home!
Details:
Includes All Materials: We provide everything you need to make your tea light holder.
Who Can Join: Open to everyone—adults and kids alike! Kids under 10 will need parental assistance.
Registration: Advance registration is STRONGLY encouraged: We have a limited amount of kits, so secure yours by registering! A few walks-ins may be accommodated depending on availability.
Payment: You can pay at the register or in the CL with exact cash or Venmo.

Curious Kids
2025-10-20 16:30 - 17:30 | Eldersburg Public Library, 6400 West Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg, MD, 21784, United States
Calling all curious kids! Join us each session to share a story, art project, and hands-on STEM activity. Children and adults can have fun and get messy together! Food and natural items may be present.

Spooky STEM: Slime Making
2025-10-21 15:30 - 16:30 | Edmondson Avenue Branch, 4330 Edmondson Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21229, United States
The best kind of science is spooky science, and what’s spookier than slime? Join us to make some colored slime and take it home with you!

STEAM Lab: Creepy Crawly (Five Senses)
2025-10-21 16:30 - 17:00 | C. Burr Artz Library, 110 East Patrick St., Frederick, MD, 21701, United States
Join us for a variety of science, technology, engineering, arts and math activities for elementary-aged children.

Ghoulish Gemstone Test Tube Art Making
2025-10-21 16:30 - 18:00 | Because Science, 1759 columbia rd nw, washington, DC, 20009, United States
🎨 Totally Custom: We have a wide assortment of halloween gemstone beads to choose from.
🏠 Take-Home Keepsake: Take home a unique handmade piece you can bring home!
Details:
Drop-In Friendly: No registration required—just stop by during activity hours and start creating.
Fun for Everyone: Perfect for teens and adults- kids under 10 will require parental assistance with crafting.

Elementary Library Explorers: Fix It!
2025-10-21 18:00 - 18:30 | Walkersville Branch Library, 2 South Glade Rd, Walkersville, MD, 21793, United States
Can you fix it? Yes, you can! Can you sew a button? Can you hang a picture? Can you fix a bike? Join us for an evening full of making, mending, and repairing and earn the next stamp in your Elementary Explorer’s passport.

Art Exploration Teen Edition: Botanical Art of Alexander Viazmensky
2025-10-22 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-10-23 14:00 - 15:30 | Potomac Branch, 3225 Ruth B. Swann Drive, Indin Head, MD, 20640, United States
Join us for an afternoon of art history and learning advanced techniques. We offer two Art Exploration Teen Edition sessions on the fourth Wednesday and fourth Thursday of each month so that even more artists can join in the fun.
In October, we will take a tour through the artistic kingdom of Alexander Viazmensky. Viazmensky is a Russian artist who worked in watercolors to paint eye-catching portraits of plant life. His primary subjects were mushrooms found around Northern Russia, such as chanterelle, porcini, and birch mushrooms. We’ll learn about Viazmensky’s life and then do a cool art project inspired by his art!
PLEASE NOTE: This program is designed for ages 9 to 18. Younger participants may have difficulty with the projects and/or concepts.
Please register each child who will be attending separately and only register for one session each month, as both Wednesday and Thursday will be the same sessions.
If you have questions, please contact the Potomac Branch at 301-375-7375 or email potomacref@ccplonline.org.

DIY Witches' Brew Lava Lamps
2025-10-22 16:30 - 18:00 | Because Science, 1759 columbia rd nw, washington, DC, 20009, United States
Create Your Own Lava Lamp!
Get ready to make your very own lava lamp! We’ll provide all the materials, guide you through the creation process, and show you how to activate it. Plus, you’ll take your lava lamp home for more fun!
Why This Activity is Perfect for Everyone:
Hands-On Fun: Enjoy a creative and engaging crafting experience.
Family-Friendly: Adults and kids are welcome to join in the excitement.
Take-Home Project: Leave with a unique lava lamp that you can showcase at home!
Details:
Includes All Materials: We provide everything you need to make your lava lamp.
Who Can Join: Open to everyone—adults and kids alike! Kids under 5 will need parental assistance.
Registration: No prior registration is necessary, but signing up makes it easy to add the event to your calendar.
Payment: You can pay at the register or in the CL with exact cash or Venmo.
Drop in anytime during activity hours! Come join the fun!

Full STEAM Ahead!
2025-10-23 10:30 - 11:30 | Perryville Branch Library, 500 Coudon Blvd., Perryville, MD, 21903, United States
Enjoy different STEAM activities each week in this hands-on program for young learners. Program designed for children ages 20 months – early 4s. Siblings welcome.

Elementary Explorers
2025-10-23 14:00 - 14:30 | Thurmont Library, 76 East Moser Rd, Thurmont, MD, 21788, United States
Participate in a variety of experiences related to science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. This program is designed for children in grades K – 5 and their caregivers.

Pumpkin Painting & Carving
2025-10-23 16:00 - 18:00 | Because Science, 1759 columbia rd nw, washington, DC, 20009, United States
Drop in anytime during open hours with your pumpkin (or other canvas) and use our carving tools, paint, paper, markers, glue, and other supplies to craft your spooky masterpiece.
Why This Activity is Perfect for Everyone:
Hands-On Fun: Enjoy a creative and engaging crafting experience.
Family-Friendly: Adults and kids are welcome to join in the excitement!
Details:
Includes Crafting/Carving Materials: Everything but the pumpkin provided.
Who Can Join: Open to everyone—adults and kids alike! Kids under 5 will need parental assistance and are welcome to use crafting supplies. Kids over 10 are welcome to use carving tools with parental assistance.
Registration: No prior registration is necessary, but signing up makes it easy to add the event to your calendar.
Payment: You can pay at the register or in the CL with exact cash or Venmo.
Drop in anytime during activity hours! Come join the fun!

DIY Hallowed Halloween Hand Melt Activity
2025-10-24 16:00 - 18:00 | Because Science, 1759 columbia rd nw, washington, DC, 20009, United States
Celebrate Halloween with us by excavating frozen hands with themed toys trapped inside!
Why This Activity is Perfect for Everyone:
Creative Exploration: Discover the best way to free spooky toys from icy hands. Will warm water work? What about salt? Try different methods!
Guided Support: Our team will be there to assist and provide safety guidelines for a fun experience.
Hands-On Experiment: Perfect for kids who love hands-on activities and experimenting with new techniques and some spooky surprises to take home
Details:
Includes All Materials: We provide everything you need, including padded gloves and safety glasses.
Who Can Join: Open to all ages! Best suited for kids 5-8. Younger kids can participate using water only with adult assistance.
Registration: Advance registration is STRONGLY encouraged: We handcraft the frozen hands and need to know how many to make in advance. A few walks-ins can be accommodated and day-of payment can be made at the register.
Stop by during activity hours and join in the spooky fun!

St. Mary's STEAM Festival
2025-10-25 10:00 - 14:00 | St Mary’s County Fairgrounds, 42455 Fairgrounds Rd, Leonardtown, MD, 20650, United States
St. Mary’s County Public Schools will host their 10th annual STEAM Festival on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds. Festivities will run from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and will feature fun, food, and phenomena!
Each year, the state designates a month-long celebration of all things science, technology, engineering, and math. This STEM-related exploration takes place through in person festivals and online events. Our annual STEAM Festival is set up in a fair-style manner, where attendees can engage with exhibitors at their own pace.

OysterFest at CBMM
2025-10-25 10:00 - 16:00 | Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, 213 North Talbot St., St. Michaels, MD, 21663, United States
CBMM will host OysterFest on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10am-4pm, inviting the community to celebrate the Bay’s favorite bivalve with a day of fun for the whole family.
The OysterFest menu, of course, features fresh oysters served a variety of ways, plus other local fare, craft beer, and spirits. There’s also live music on two stages, an oyster stew competition, boat rides, a full schedule of demonstrations and presentations, children’s activities, and more.
Tickets for this rain-or-shine event, including a new VIP offering and CBMM Fall Festival Passes, are on sale now here, with discounted pricing for CBMM members.
Whether you prefer to sip, savor, or slurp Chesapeake Bay oysters, you’ll appreciate this beloved fall festival with oyster offerings from the Talbot Watermen Association and several local oyster farms, including raw and cooked options.
Guests can also purchase a variety of Chesapeake delicacies and other food offerings via local vendors on campus, plus a beverage selection that includes specialty cocktails and an array of local craft beer options. All food and drinks are an additional charge.
The always-popular oyster stew competition gives guests the chance to sample offerings from area restaurants in an OysterFest mug and then vote for their favorites to help decide which chefs claim the coveted title and local bragging rights.
The friendly competition continues with our annual oyster slurp-off contest. Interested participants can sign up on the day of the event.
All the oyster-themed fun will come with an upbeat soundtrack thanks to live music on both sides of campus all day long. An OysterFest staple, Swamp Donkey Newgrass will once again share their unique, high-energy blend of originals and covers at the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand. There will also be a stage on Fogg’s Landing, including a performance by local sibling trio The Folk Villains, to add to the festive atmosphere.
Throughout the day, the Van Lennep Auditorium will host a variety of guest speakers sponsored by the Upper Shore Regional Folklife Center through the Maryland Traditions Program of the Maryland State Arts Council. Representatives from the Pocomoke Indian Nation, whose ancestral lands span much of lower Delmarva, will be on hand throughout the day to share their history and traditions with guests through presentations and demonstrations.
On Navy Point, the American Chesapeake Club will share demonstrations highlighting the retrieving abilities of its Chesapeake Bay retrievers.
Children can explore life on the Bay through a range of themed, hands-on activities, including lawn games, model boat building, and more. The Phillips Wharf Fishmobile traveling aquarium will be on site, too.
Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase commemorative OysterFest gear in the Museum Store, showcasing this year’s featured historic oyster tin from CBMM’s collection. The one-gallon tin, featuring a silhouetted sailboat underway, was packed by Harrison & Jarboe Seafood Company in the 1950s on CBMM’s Navy Point and marketed as Miles River Brand Oysters. The design will be emblazoned on shirts and hats for purchase, as well as the mugs used for the oyster stew competition.
OysterFest tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door. Admission is set at $22 for adults, $19 for seniors (65+) and students (17+), $10 for active and retired military members, and $9 for children ages 6-to-17, with all children 5-and-younger admitted free.
CBMM members receive discounted pricing to OysterFest and other annual festivals throughout the year. Adult member tickets are $10, and all children of members (17-and-younger) receive free admission. To support CBMM’s mission as a member and discover all the terrific benefits of membership, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or druzicka@cbmm.org.
To level up the fun, VIP tickets include festival admission, entry into the oyster stew competition with commemorative mug, access to the VIP Hospitality Lounge with a complimentary bar, an exclusive OysterFest tote bag with giveaways, coupons, and vendor specials, and discounts at the festival bars. The cost is $50 for CBMM members and $80 for non-members.
Make sure you don’t miss a minute of the fun ahead on our waterfront campus with the CBMM Fall Festival Pass! This is your chance to celebrate the best of the Bay at three of our signature festivals–OysterFest, the Holiday Edition of the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival (Saturday, Nov. 22), and Winter on the Chesapeake (Saturday, Dec. 13)–for the price of two!
During the festival, additional free event parking will be available at St. Michaels Middle/High School, with a complimentary shuttle service running to and from CBMM.
For safety reasons, non-service dogs must be kept home during CBMM festivals, including OysterFest. Carry-on alcohol from dock or land is also prohibited

Bailes de Mi Tierra Dance Performance
2025-10-25 11:00 - 12:00 | Brooklyn Park Branch Library, 1 East 11th Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21225, United States
Celebrate the end of Hispanic Heritage Month and Dia de los Muertos by watching a traditional Mexican folk dance performance by Bailes de Mi Tierra dance group!
¡Para celebrar el fin del Mes de la Herencia Hispana y el Día de los Muertos, les invitamos a presenciar una actuación tradicional de danza folklórica mexicana ofrecida por el grupo Bailes de Mi Tierra!

Beastly Beaded Bracelet Making
2025-10-25 12:00 - 14:00 | Because Science, 1759 columbia rd nw, washington, DC, 20009, United States
Get ready to create a cute, stretchy bracelet that showcases your spooky style! Join us at The Craft Lab, where you can choose from fun plastic and clay beads to design a bracelet that’s uniquely yours.
Why This Activity is Perfect for Creators Aged 6 and Up:
Hands-On Creativity: Enjoy a fun, interactive experience while crafting your own jewelry.
Express Yourself: Choose from a variety of beads to reflect your personal style.
Family-Friendly: Parents and kids can work together to create something special!
Details:
Best For: Kids aged 6 and up, along with adults.
Cost: This event is free for everyone!
Supervision: Children are encouraged to participate with a parent or guardian.

Maryland Maker Day at Rockville Makerspace
2025-10-25 13:30 - 16:00 | Rockville Science Center, hjlichtman@lichtman.ws, Rockville, MD, 20850, United States
MoCo Makers is partnered with the Rockville Science Center to offer this once yearly event. Check out some of the cool projects that local makers and artists are working on. You can learn about how people in our community are using the Rockville Makerspace, what tools are available, and event try your hand at a project yourself!

Intro to GIMP Digital Art
2025-10-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Quince Orchard, 15831 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, 20878, United States
Learn the basics of the GIMP interface as you customize a rad cartoon cat! For ages 8 to 12.
GIMP is an open-source graphics program—similar to Photoshop, but free! GIMP allows you to create graphics or edit photos using a variety of customizable tools and features. This class will introduce kids to the interface and encourage them to express themselves through digital art! The projects our participants create will be displayed in the library.
This is a pilot program! Two sessions are currently planned, one on October 25th and one on November 8th. At this time, you may take only one class to make sure there is space for everyone! We hope to offer more sessions in the future depending on interest. Adult attendance to assist your child is strongly encouraged, although we won’t have enough computers for adults to participate. Please arrive on time.
This program is for children ages 8 to 12. Registration is required. Sign up online or by calling the Quince Orchard library at 240-777-0200.
Key Terms (to be covered as time allows): layers, transparency, float selection, opacity, color picker, bucket tool, pattern, gradient
The Maryland STEM Festival is a month-long celebration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics designed to advance STEM and STEAM education for children and teens that takes place every fall.
Questions about this program? Contact the Quince Orchard branch at 240-777-0200
Looking for more fun things to do at MCPL? Take a look at these STEM resources available with a library card.
Don’t have a card right now? No worries! Find out how to Get a Library Card.
Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.
If you plan to attend with a group of ten or more, please contact the branch at least one week before the program to discuss how your group might be accommodated.
