Homeschool science series classes are offered at two levels. Read below to determine which class best suits your student.

Level 1
Geared toward students aged 7–10, Level 1 classes provide a basic foundation in the topic area. Adult participation in the Level 1 class enhances the student’s experience and preserves the already established adult-child interaction. Furthermore, students at this level benefit from your assistance with hands-on activities or guidance staying focused. Students age 6 or younger are accepted with teacher approval.

Level 2
Designed with the middle school student in mind, Level 2 classes provide a deeper examination of the topic area. These classes require students to have greater fine motor skills, an understanding of the basics of the topic, and the ability to participate in a group setting. Level 2 classes do not require adult participation unless the student needs assistance with hands-on activities or guidance staying focused. Students younger than age 11 are accepted with teacher approval.

For assistance in determining which level is appropriate for you and your child, please contact us at homeschool@exploratorium.edu.

Classes take place Tuesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the IFI Classrooms for Level 1, and in the TI Classrooms for Level 2.

The price per session is $50 per child. An adult must attend the Level 1 sessions, but there will be no fee for the adult. Adults may attend Level 2 sessions at their discretion. Childcare is not available, but children under age 5 are welcome with parental supervision. Children may attend all or selected sessions. Limit 20 children per session. Openings will be filled on a first-come, first- served basis, with priority given to past participants.

Homeschool Science Series, Fall 2010
Dates, Topics, and Descriptions

September 7—Circuits
Level 1
In this workshop, we’ll design and build simple series and parallel circuits using components such as wires, batteries, and bulbs, leading students to an understanding of fundamental electronics concepts.

Level 2
We’ll design and measure series and parallel circuits in this workshop. We’ll calculate resistance, draw circuit diagrams, and compete in a circuit-design challenge.

September 14—Solutions
Level 1
Beginning with dry mixtures and moving to liquids, we’ll discover the difference between a solute and solvent by investigating the dissolving process. Our investigation will continue with flame-testing solutions to gather clues about their composition.

Level 2
Building on our understanding of solutes and solvents, we’ll explore how chromatography and distillation are used to separate and purify the components of a solution.

September 21—Cells
Level 1
All living things are composed of cells, but what are cells made of? We’ll explore cell anatomy and the structure and function of the organelles as we build understanding through the construction of an edible model cell.

Level 2
All living things are composed of cells, but how do they make more cells? We’ll explore sexual reproduction and the cell-division process of meiosis. We’ll also learn about chromosomes and alleles and how these make us who we are.

October 12—California Geology
Level 1
Mountains, faults, and volcanoes mean the ground in this state is constantly on the move. This workshop will investigate California geology and plate tectonics as we enjoy some edible hands-on activities along the way.

Level 2
Through hands-on activities, we’ll explore the geologic resources that are of major economic importance, the importance of water to our society, and the principal natural hazards in different California regions. We’ll also analyze published geologic hazard maps of California.

October 19—Biomimicry
Level 1
A tree manages to stay upright; so does a skyscraper. To understand biomimicry, the science and art of emulating nature’s best biological ideas to solve human problems, we need to understand the concept of function and how it relates to both biology and design. In this class, we’ll expose students to “seeing function” throughout the living world through fun, hands-on activities.

Level 2
Nature has been solving problems for millions of years. Biomimicry is the science and art of emulating nature’s best biological ideas to solve human problems. Students will gain an understanding of biomimicry through hands-on activities that connect biology and engineering.

November 2—Genetics
Level 1
For more than four thousand years, people have been tinkering with genetics. In the mid-1800s, Gregor Mendel began to explain the rules of inheritance. Flowers and fruits are a good way to explore reproduction. We’ll use them as guides as we explore genetics.

Level 2
A main concept of molecular biology is that information flows from transcription of ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the nucleus to translation and production of proteins in the cytoplasm. We’ll explore this concept through hands-on activities modeling transcription, translation, and protein production.

November 9—Biotechnology
Level 1
We don’t have an expensive, modern laboratory, but we can still extract DNA, search for and detect disease, and try to determine who stole the cookie from the cookie jar while learning the basics of biotechnology.

Level 2
We’ll learn how genetic engineering is used to put together genes from different sources to create recombinant DNA molecules.

November 30—Biological and Geological Cycles
Level 1
Nitrogen is essential for life and the earth’s atmosphere is mostly nitrogen, yet it is in a form we cannot use. Nitrogen is actually scarce in many ecosystems. We’ll explore how the nitrogen cycle influences nonliving resources and living things in an ecosystem.

Level 2
We’ll explore the different physical and chemical forms of carbon in the atmosphere, oceans, biomass, and fossil fuels, and the movement of carbon among these reservoirs.

December 7—Astronomy
Level 1
The solar system consists of planets and other bodies that orbit the sun in predictable paths. We’ll investigate the appearance, general composition, relative position and size, and motion of objects in the solar system, including planets, planetary satellites, comets, and asteroids, with a focus on observable changes in the appearance of the phases of the moon.

Level 2
We know that the sun is one of many stars in the Milky Way galaxy and that stars may differ in size, temperature, and color. We’ll explore how to use astronomical units and light years as measures of distances between the sun, stars, and earth and understand the measurements associated with a star’s characteristics.

Homeschool science series classes are offered at two levels. Read below to determine which class best suits your student.

Level 1
Geared toward students aged 7–10, Level 1 classes provide a basic foundation in the topic area. Adult participation in the Level 1 class enhances the student’s experience and preserves the already established adult-child interaction. Furthermore, students at this level benefit from your assistance with hands-on activities or guidance staying focused. Students age 6 and younger are accepted with teacher approval.

Level 2
Designed with the middle school student in mind, Level 2 classes provide a deeper examination of the topic area. These classes require students to have greater fine motor skills, an understanding of the basics of the topic, and the ability to participate in a group setting. Level 2 classes do not require adult participation unless the student needs assistance with hands-on activities or guidance staying focused. Students younger than age 11 are accepted with teacher approval.

For assistance in determining which level is appropriate for you and your child, please contact us at homeschool@exploratorium.edu.

Classes take place Tuesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the IFI Classrooms for Level 1, and in the TI Classrooms for Level 2.

The price per session is $50 per child. An adult must attend the Level 1 sessions, but there will be no fee for the adult. Adults may attend Level 2 sessions at their discretion. Childcare is not available, but children under age 5 are welcome with parental supervision. Children may attend all or selected sessions. Limit 20 children per session. Openings will be filled on a first-come, first- served basis, with priority given to past participants.

Homeschool Science Series, Spring 2011
Dates, Topics, and Descriptions

February 15—Conservation of Matter & Stoichiometry
Level 1
E=mc² is the most recognized scientific equation ever, but how can energy be equal to mass? Using everyday examples, we’ll conduct simple experiments showing that matter is equivalent to energy.

Level 2
Through stoichiometry, we’ll explore the math behind the chemistry. We’ll balance chemical equations and calculate molar mass and percent yield of common and not-so-common chemical reactions.

February 22—Newton’s Laws
Level 1
We’ll explore Newton’s laws through fun hands-on activities about speed, velocity, and vectors.

Level 2
Newton’s math: we’ll derive Newton’s laws through activities that explore inertia, acceleration, and symmetry.

March 8—Bonds
Level 1
We’ll explore how atoms combine to form molecules by sharing electrons. Students will create their own molecules using electron dot formulae and then build them using common modeling materials.

Level 2
We’ll explore the electrostatic attraction of salts, dissociation of water by electrolysis, and identify solids and liquids that are held together by van der Waals forces or hydrogen bonding.

March 15—Evolution
Level 1
We’ll investigate diversity and phylogeny through a fish-sorting activity in which students construct their own cladogram. We’ll also practice identifying and classifying critters just as paleontologists do.

Level 2
We’ll explore the genetic evidence of evolution through embryology, and DNA and protein sequence comparisons, and we’ll create cladograms of evolutionary relationships.

March 22—Properties of Waves
Level 1
Waves carry energy from one place to another. In this session, the concepts we’ll cover include wavelength, frequency, and wave speed. Students will build an understanding of transverse and longitudinal waves in mechanical media, such as springs and ropes, and in the earth (seismic waves).

Level 2
We’ll explore the wave nature of light through Young’s double slit experiment and investigate the effects of diffraction gratings and polarizing filters on light.

April 5—Organic Chemistry
Level 1
What makes this different from just plain old chemistry? We’ll begin by investigating two ways to make carbon dioxide (CO₂), exploring the similarities and differences in our methods and materials. Also, students will learn why fungi, which are adapted to break down complex carbon-based molecules, can detoxify toxic petrochemicals.

Level 2
We’ll explore the world of organic chemistry by learning about hydrocarbons. We’ll name them, build them, and burn them.

April 12—Momentum / Collisions
Level 1
We’ll find that the laws of conservation of energy and conservation of momentum provide a way to predict and describe the movement of objects.

Level 2
An unbalanced force on an object produces a change in its momentum. We’ll experiment with collisions and falling objects and calculate momentum, and potential and kinetic energy.

April 19—Climate Change
Level 1
description coming soon

Level 2
description coming soon

Join Us for Three Days of Exploring Women in Science
At Our Girls’ Science Institute!

You may have heard of Marie Curie’s work with radiation or about Dian Fossey’s gorilla research, but do you know who was responsible for finding many of the first major dinosaur fossils, or who is considered to be the first female mathematician? Girls, ages 9–11, are invited to join us for a new three-day, hands-on workshop where we’ll explore the lives of women in science who have influenced biology, geology, and chemistry.

Day 1: Heart Science
From the time you were a six-week-old fetus until you breathe your last breath, your heart constantly pumps. We’ll learn about the first female American doctor as well as the first woman to perform open-heart surgery. We’ll follow their footsteps by reading their personal journals and explore the heart through hands-on science. This workshop will include dissection of a pig’s heart.

Day 2: She Rocks!
Discover amazing women who rocked the scientific world by uncovering the true cause of the dinosaurs’ disappearance, challenging beliefs about the center of the earth, and mapping the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. We’ll explore their worlds through hands-on activities related to fossils, seismology, mapping, and more.

Day 3: Polymer Chemistry
What do inline skates, CDs, Frisbees, bicycle tires, and even the clothes you wear have in common? They’re all polymers. What’s a polymer and which women have influenced this scientific field? Find out as we explore the world of polymer chemistry through hands-on activities where you’ll get to make, bake, and take home your crafts.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
August 24, 25, and 26, 2010
9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
This is a Members’–only program
Cost: $180
Minimum number of participants: 10
Maximum number of participants: 20

QuantumCamp™ @ the Exploratorium

We invite teens, ages 12–16, to join us for this new and exciting hands-on journey through the subatomic world of quantum science. Campers will rework the key experiments that led scientists to the discovery of the quantum universe. We’ll build batteries, blast electrons across a vacuum, and study the light emissions of nature’s fundamental elements. Each camper will create his or her own unique portfolio that catalogs the experiences at QuantumCamp. Come discover the quantum world!

Tuesdays and Thursdays
September 7–October 7
9:00 a.m.–Noon
The cost is $495 for nonmembers and $420 for Exploratorium Members.

This camp is presented by QuantumCamp™ in partnership with the Exploratorium.