Homeschool Science Series workshops are offered at two levels. Read below to determine which class best suits your student.

Level 1
Geared toward students aged 7-9, 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. 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
Geared toward students aged 10-12, 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 10 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 noon to 3:00 p.m. in the IFI Classrooms for Level 1, and in the TI Classrooms for Level 2.

The Homeschool Science Series workshops are an exclusive benefit to Exploratorium Members and the price per 3-class session is $135 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. 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 2012
Dates, Topics, and Descriptions

Tuesdays, April 10, 17, and 24 — Ecology

Level 1 (ages 7–9)
IFI Classrooms, Noon–3:00 p.m.
Starting with designing the perfect spaceship, and moving to a careful consideration of all organisms and their environments, these workshops will help students develop a familiarity with key concepts in ecology. Activities and experiments based on model organisms will explore topics such as energy transfer and cycles. We will also define problems we face today and discuss and design solutions.
This is a Member’s-only program that costs $135.
Register Online Now

Level 2 (ages 10–12)
TI Classrooms, Noon–3:00 p.m.
In this series, we’ll explore ecology through observation and hands-on experiences. We’ll conduct biodiversity field surveys, focus on birds as a model for studying populations, and explore urban ecology: how humans interact with their urban environment. During these three sessions, we’ll cover topics in ecology such as biodiversity, the physical environment, food webs, cycles, and populations.
This is a Member’s-only program that costs $135.
Register Online Now

Tuesdays, May 15, 22, and 29 — Water

Level 1 (ages 7–9)
IFI Classrooms, Noon–3:00 p.m.
Water is a big part of us and of our world! It makes up about 60 percent, on average, of humans, and it covers more than 70 percent of the earth’s surface. We’ll explore meandering rivers and shrinking clothing as, during these three sessions, we do activities to investigate the three states of H2O. Ice Balloons, Water Lenses, and the Secrets of Espresso are some of the fun activities that will help build a comprehensive understanding of this common but far from mundane substance.
This is a Member’s-only program that costs $135.
Register Online Now

Level 2 (ages 10–12)
TI Classrooms, Noon–3:00 p.m.
Water, water, everywhere! During these three sessions, we’ll explore water’s amazing properties and dynamic nature, as well as why it’s necessary for life. Through hands-on activities, we’ll investigate water’s stickiness, polarity, and use as a scientific standard. We’ll get dirty exploring how water meanders to create rivers, tributaries, creeks—and energy. And we’ll measure our own Bay’s water quality through water sampling and plankton drags.
This is a Member’s-only program that costs $135.
Register Online Now

The Homeschool Workshops for Teens are three-hour workshops that take place on the museum floor and in the classroom. Designed for 13–16 year olds, these workshops explore one topic in depth, challenging students to dive deeply into phenomena through direct interaction with multiple museum exhibits and hands-on activities.

Workshops take place Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Participants will be greeted at the museum entrance and will enjoy time at exhibits before the museum opens.

These workshops are an exclusive benefit for Members and cost $50 per three-hour session.

Homeschool Workshops for Teens
Winter 2012

We are a collection of cells gathered into tissues, coordinated as organs, and joined into systems. Join us for experiments and activities that will provide knowledge of the ways our insides work. Circulation, digestion, muscles, and nerves will all be explored in this three-hour workshop.
Register Online

To illustrate key elements of ecology science, we’ll investigate energy exchange in ecosystems, model fluctuations in biodiversity, and begin a field survey of the grounds outside the museum. We’ll also spend time with our newest interactive biology exhibits exploring key organisms.
Register Online

Water is an amazing substance with a very recognizable chemical name. This three-hour exploration of H2O will guide us through hydrogen bonding, state changes, and watershed science. We’ll use our exhibits and hands-on activities to explore the properties, locations, and uses of water.
Register Online