STEM

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math and the STEM approach to teaching and learning has been a hot topic in education circles for a number of years. Integrating the content and skills of science, technology, engineering, and math begins as early as preschool, launching students on a pathway of learning that focuses on logical reasoning, critical thinking, collaboration, and investigation. The goal of STEM education is to prepare students for post-secondary study and the 21st-century global workforce.

CCPL supports STEM through its collections and programs designed to meet the needs of area students and to support the goals of local and statewide education initiatives.

View our Calendar & Events

STEM PROGRAMS @ CCPL

STEM Club is a monthly program designed for children ages 6-11 years old. In this monthly program, children are given the opportunity to explore the principles of science, technology, engineering, and math through fun and engaging experiments and lessons, led by CCPL staff. Offered at our Potomac, Waldorf West, P.D. Brown & La Plata Branches!

Schedule of Programs

9.6 | 2 PM  @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Wind, Water, or Crater
9.7 | 2 PM  @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Wind, Water, or Crater
9.20 | 6 PM @ La Plata Branch – STEM Club: Technology: Electrical Circuits
9.26 | 5:30 PM @ P.D. Brown Library – STEM Club: Engineering: Helicopters

10.4 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Physics
10.5 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Physics
10.18 | 6 PM @ La Plata Branch – STEM Club: Chemistry – Fizzy Oobleck
10.24 | 5:30 PM @ P.D. Brown Library – STEM Club: Science/Physics – Magnets

11.1 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Mathematical Art – Angles
11.2 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Mathematical Art – Angles
11.15 | 6 PM @ La Plata Branch – STEM Club: Engineering – Marshmallow Challenge
11.28 | 5:30 PM @ P.D. Brown Library – STEM Club: Technology – Binary Code

12.6 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Potential and Kinetic Energy
12.7 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Potential and Kinetic Energy
12.7 | 6 PM @ Waldorf West Branch – STEM Club: Engineering – Bridges
12.20 | 6 PM @ La Plata Branch – STEM Club: Astronomy – Solar System

1.3 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Chemistry – Periodic Table of Elements
1.4 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Chemistry – Periodic Table of Elements
1.17 | 6 PM @ La Plata Branch – STEM Club: Chemistry and Engineering – Paper making
1.23 | 5:30 PM @ P.D. Brown Library – STEM Club: Technology – 3Doodlers

2.1 | 6 PM @ Waldorf West Branch – STEM Club: Physics – Centripetal Force
2.7 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Coding
2.8 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Coding
2.21 | 6 PM @ La Plata Branch – STEM Club: Biology – Plant and Animal Cells
2.27 | 5:30 PM @ P.D. Brown Library – STEM Club: Math – Geometric Shapes

3.6 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Biology – DNA
3.7 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Biology – DNA
3.20 | 6 PM @ La Plata Branch – STEM Club: Math and Music – Fractions
3.26 | 5:30 PM @ P.D. Brown Library – STEM Club: Archeology – Fossils

4.3 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Static Electricity
4.4 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Static Electricity
4.4 | 6 PM @ Waldorf West Branch – STEM Club: Math and Music – Bean Bag Toss
4.17 | 6 PM @ La Plata Branch – STEM Club: Biology – Planting Seeds
4.23 | 5:30 PM @ P.D. Brown Library – STEM Club: Engineering – Marshmallow Challenge

5.1 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Candy Science
5.2 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – STEM Club: Candy Science
5.15 | 6 PM @ La Plata Branch – STEM Club: Chemistry – Oxidation
5.28 | 5:30 PM @ P.D. Brown Library – STEM Club:Chemistry – Chemical Reactions

Advanced STEM Club is a monthly program designed for children and teens ages 9 to 18. Younger participants may have difficulty with the projects and/or concepts. Offered monthly at our Potomac branch and bi-monthly at our Waldorf West branch!

Schedule of Programs

9.7 | 6 PM  @ Waldorf West Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Math – Geometry
9.20 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Acids and Bases
9.21 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club @ Potomac Branch! – Acids and Bases

10.18 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Augmented Reality
10.19 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Augmented Reality

11.2 | 6 PM @ Waldorf West Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Chemistry – Electro-Etching
11.15 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Engineering
11.16 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Engineering

12.20 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Math – Fractions
12.21 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Math – Fractions

1.4 | 6 PM @ Waldorf West Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Technology and Psychology – Programming an Emotional Robot
1.17 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Biology – Pumping Heart Model
1.18 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Biology – Pumping Heart Model

2.21 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Chemistry – Electrolysis
2.22 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Chemistry – Electrolysis

3.7 | 6 PM @ Waldorf West Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Engineering – Hydraulics
3.20 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Math – Coordinate Planes
3.21 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club @ Potomac Branch! – Math – Coordinate Planes

4.17 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Ecology – Water Quality
4.18 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Ecology – Water Quality

5.2 | 6 PM @ Waldorf West Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Chemistry – Chemical Reactions
5.15 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Chemistry – Bouncy Balls
5.16 | 2 PM @ Potomac Branch – Advanced STEM Club: Chemistry – Bouncy Balls

CCPL Astronomy Club is a virtual program that takes place monthly on the last Thursday of the month at 6 PM via Zoom. Local Astronomer and educator, Josh Urban, leads this program that takes you on a journey through the cosmos, in a fun and relaxed environment. This program is great for families interested in STEAM and space exploration, but aspiring astronomers of all ages are welcome!

Schedule of Programs

Lego WeDo kits 2.0 Robotics Club programs take place on a bi-monthly basis at our Waldorf West Library branch. Lego WeDo kits allow users to build awesome creations from Legos then program them for amazing robotics action. In this program, participants are taught the basics of robotics in a way that’s fun and interactive!  

This program is designed for children ages 6 to 11. Due to limited supply of materials, registration is required. Registration will open one month before the program start date. If you are registering multiple children, please register each child separately. If you have any questions about this program, or if you register but are unable to attend, please reach out to westref@ccplonline.org.

Schedule of Programs