Talbot County Library Hosts Youth STEAM Program

This summer, the Easton branch of Talbot County Free Library hosted two week-long sessions of ‘STEAM’ camp for elementary and middle school students. Designed and conducted by three area high school students and funded by a grant from the Council of Friends of the Talbot County Library, the STEAM camp sessions were offered free of charge to area elementary and middle school students.

STEAM programs integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to foster a more holistic approach to education. The interdisciplinary approach encourages creativity and critical thinking, enabling students to engage in hands-on, real-world problem-solving. 

“In the Easton library’s STEAM camp, volunteer youth leaders Vivi Morris, Van Tran and Mia Mazzeo, who created the program, blended artistic expression with analytical skills to make learning fun,” said Easton Library Youth Coordinator Laura Powell. “The children who participated learned to collaborate across various disciplines, nurturing both their logical reasoning and creative potential.”

Starting with a traditional STEAM approach, Morris, Tran and Mazzeo adapted and designed the program to best suit the youngsters who were attending each week of camp. The first session hosted 20 six- to eight-year-olds and the second had 20 nine- to twelve-year-old attendees. Both sessions were at capacity. 

Over the course of each week, the camper groups tackled a number of projects that required individual effort as well as cooperation within each camper team. Each day brought a new menu of activities – everything from tie-dyeing shirts and print-making tote bags to pass and paint or creating fruit art.

“The strategy of our STEAM program was to break the campers up into small groups so they could learn to both interact effectively with each other and apply the skills each camper had,” stated Alanna Peerman, library staff assistant. “Each table of five campers had at least one volunteer High School assisting the campers.

“The campers particularly enjoyed making slime, as well as piecing together a Hex bug maze and racing the Hex bugs, said Mia Mazzeo. Two “cooking through chemistry” exercises were the highlights of each week. “To watch each camper make ice cream by hand and cook s’mores using the sun was so much fun for all of us!” commented Van Tran.

Vivi Morris agreed. “The collaboration and teamwork was so ‘chill’,” she said. “By the end of each week, we saw a community of learners, helping each other, enjoying each other’s company, and being so excited as each group completed their activities and projects.”

Two STEAM participants, Charlotte and Emmett McGrogan, of St Michaels, loved every minute of their camp experience. Emmett, 9, attended the second session and especially enjoyed making slime. “Doing crafting stuff was my most favorite activity”, said Emmett. “I can’t wait to come back to STEAM Camp next summer!”

The McGrogans’ mom, Katie Willis, also gave the program rave reviews. “As with many full-time working parents, my kids have been in a variety of summer programs – STEAM camp, which was free of charge, was hands down one of the very best,” Willis said. “The structure of STEAM camp each week was age-appropriate, well organized, and kept my kids engaged and busy the whole time. They want to go again next year, most definitely!” 

Matt LaMotte, a native of the Eastern Shore, has a diverse background. He grew up in Baltimore but spent much time in Easton and Chestertown. After college, he returned to the Mid Shore and worked in insurance and finance while raising his two sons. He then pursued a teaching and coaching career in independent schools across different states. In 2018, he chaired the History Department at Sts. Peter and Paul High School in Easton before retiring in 2021. Matt is now focused on conservation, outdoor education, and staying engaged with local and global affairs.