Homeschool Museum Programs

Many museums are opening their doors to homeschoolers, with special
programs that take place during school hours. Hands-on learning, science
labs, and lecture-style classes are being added in museums across the
country. As these museum programs become available, we will add them to
our "Homeschool Friendly Museum" list
.

Classes are available at Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. Yale
undergraduates use this museum to do research in anthropology and
biology. Classes are offered in anthropology, biology, geology, paleontology
and art. The cost is $50 for an hour long program, and $4.00 per student. The
minimum per group is 12 students, maximum is 25 students. Several
homeschool families can enroll together to meet the minimum group size.
This program runs from September to June, on weekdays.
Visit their website for more details:
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History

At the Baltimore Museum of Art, homeschool groups of ten or more can take
free docent-led tours throughout the year.
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center has an excellent
homeschool program. They offer science classes and labs, but sign up early,
as this is a popular program. For more information, visit
Smithsonian
Homeschool Program

Saint Louis Science Center
Homeschool Museum Program
5050 Oakland Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110

The motto of the St. Louis Science Center is "To ignite and sustain lifelong
science and technology learning." This museum was one of the first to offer
special programs for homeschoolers. If you're in the area, it's worth checking
out!

Homeschool Days is a program designed to expand opportunities in math,
science, and technology curriculum for students (and their families).
Activities may differ per grade level. These one-hour sessions provide related
follow-up activities. Homeschool Days are offered the third Tuesday of each
month from 1:00 - 2:30 pm.  Here's a list of  
2011 classes:

February 15: Amazing Astronomy
This month brings a beautiful night sky! Explore the mysteries that have
captivated people's imagination for centuries. Get to know some of the
constellations that visit us each winter, explore the moon and learn how
important the pictures of the night sky can be.

March 15: Design it. Build it.
How do buildings stand up? How can an arch hold weight? Can you build a
structure out of just paper and tape that will support some serious weight?
Explore the physics behind structures by building and experimenting.

April 19: Go Green!
Celebrate Earth Day with the Science Center! Learn how your can Reduce,
Reuse and Recycle, make fun projects out of "trash" and investigate how
energy is created!

May 17: Reflex Remix
Are you ready for the challenge? We'll see how well your mind and body can
work together as we test your speed, reflexes and coordination. Through cup
stacking, relay races and other challenges we'll learn how your eyes, hands
and brain team up to make daring deeds of dexterity possible.

June 21: DNA and Me
Why do you look like your mom? Why doesn't your dad look like his dad?
Discover DNA in this hands-on workshop. We'll investigate heredity with
"Rebops" and even learn how to extract your own DNA!

July 19: Body Builders
Take a tour of the human body. Explore specific body systems and learn
what makes us all similar and different.

August 16: CSI: The Einstein Enigma
Use your powers of observation at a mock crime scene and analyze the
evidence left behind. From fingerprints to DNA, find out who did it! Hands-on
group and individual activities take place in a Science Center classroom
complete with fake blood!

September 20: Electrify and Energize Me
Get ready for some shocking science! From simple circuits to static
generators, we'll explore the forces of electricity and magnetism through
engaging hands-on activities.

October 11: Haunted Lab
From slime to things that glow in the dark we'll explore spooky science.
Create ghost eggs, make paper bleed and with so many pumpkins around we
should have plenty of test subjects for our experiments!

November 15: There's No Place Like Home
What would happen to lizards at the North Pole? What about polar bears in
the rainforest? Come learn all about the amazing world of animals and how
they are suited to their environments. We'll explore places like the mysterious
ocean, dazzling grasslands, and towering forests and the creatures that
inhabit them.

December 20: Magic Revealed!
Is it magic or science? Find out as we explore magic tricks based on
scientific principles such as air pressure, heat, light and chemistry. Use
probabilities and statistics to learn about "mind reading" tricks. Discover the
science behind the illusions, and even learn a few magic tricks for yourself!

Individual registration, please call 314.289.4424. Reservations required.
Time: 3rd Tuesday at 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Maximum: 30 per HomeSchool Class (Classes may be merged together or
cancelled). Visit  
Saint Louis Science Center Homeschool Program.

Dallas Museum of Art Homeschool Classes
1717 North Harwood
Dallas, Texas 75201

The Dallas Museum of Art  Homeschool classes offer an interactive Museum
experience for families with children ages 6–12. Parents and children learn
about works of art together in the galleries, participate in hands-on activities ,
and create a work of art together. Parents learn techniques and skills for
creating their own educational experiences in the gallery. Here is a list of their
2011 Classes:

Big New Field
Tuesday, January 25, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
or
Thursday, January 27, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Learn about contemporary works of art and unique materials in the Big New
Field exhibition and then use junk mail and felt to create a one-of-a-kind work
of art in the Art Studio.

Impressionist Landscapes
Tuesday, February 22, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
or
Thursday, February 24, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
View landscapes and learn about impressionism before trying your hand at
impressionist-style painting in the Art Studio.

Sculpture-Scapes
Tuesday, March 22, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
or
Thursday, March 24, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Explore works of art in the Sculpture Garden to get inspiration to make your
own 3D creation!

Email familyexperiences@DallasMuseumofArt.org for class availability.       


Delaware Art Museum Homeschool Program
2301 Kentmere Parkway
Wilmington, Delaware 19806

The Delaware Art Museum’s Homeschool Program offers homeschool
families a wonderful art education experience! Kids will build a foundation for
visual arts as well as hone their observation skills through discussions of
works in the Museum’s collection and special exhibitions. Additionally, art
activities, writing exercises, and take-home assignments extend the student's
learning experience beyond the galleries.   

Homeschool Programs are designed for different age groups and are offered
as four-week sessions. Homeschool families can choose to sign up for one
or more session. Children will be automatically enrolled into the appropriate
program based on their age.

Your child’s experience will match the following age-based categories.

Ages 3 – 6
Students and parents/guardians participate in a story-reading which leads to
a viewing of relevant works of art, followed by a hands-on art project.
Parents/guardians are required to stay with their child during the story and
tour portion of the program and may be asked to assist during the art activity.

Ages 7 – 9
Students take a guided theme tour for 30 minutes followed by a 30-minute art
activity inspired by their tour.

Ages 10 – 13 and 14 – 18  
Students take a guided theme tour for 60 minutes which includes writing
exercises, sketching in the galleries, and take-home assignments. Some
weeks may include art projects.

Elements of Art
Wednesdays, February 16 – March 9, 2011 (4 week session)
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | $14 Members/$16 Non-Members
Learn how the basic elements of design (line, color, shape, and texture) work
together as a visual language.

Painting with Words
Wednesdays, March 30 – April 20, 2011 (4 week session)
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | $14 Members/$16 Non-Members
In this session, homeschoolers build their vocabularies and stretch their
imaginations while responding in writing to works of art. Homeschoolers will
enhance their knowledge of literature and hone their own language and
writing skills with the creation of poems and stories in the galleries.

For more information, visit  
Delaware Art Museum Homeschool Program
Homeschool Travel Resource

The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal offers year-
round learning experiences to homeschoolers. Here are a few of their
upcoming homeschool museum programs. Reservations are required.

Your Heart, Your Blood, Your Health
February 7, 2011 10 to 11:30 am
Appropriate for ages 7 to 12
What an amazing machine the heart is! Learn about how the heart is
packaged, the way it works, the way it sounds, to which system it
belongs and what it pumps. Get “up close and personal” with
capillaries, “run” a little race, test your food pyramid knowledge and
share some giant microbes.

Animal Ambassadors
February 21, 2011 10 to 11:30 am
Appropriate for ages 6 and up
Here’s your chance to meet some of Cincinnati Museum Center’s
animal ambassadors up close. We have many scaly and furry friends
that will stop by to visit while you learn about different animals and
what makes them unique.

Mind Your Money
March 7, 2011 10 to 11:30 am
Appropriate for ages 10 and up
Discover some of the Cincinnati’s early businesses in the Cincinnati
History Museum’s Public Landing and investigate how each business
earned, spent, saved and invested their money. Students will gain a
basic understanding of how money works and how economics and
math apply to our everyday lives by playing a monopoly-style game.

For more homeschool program information, visit cincymuseum.org.


Science Museum of Minnesota Homeschool Program

Homeschoolers have amazing opportunities at the Science Museum of
Minnesota. Their monthly homeschool museum classes cover science,
math and technology.  Here is their current schedule:

Homeschool Science Club: Coral Reefs
Friday, January 21, 2011; 1-4 p.m.
Ages 5-6, 7-9, 10-13
The ecosystem and animals of coral reefs

Homeschool Detective Science
Wednesdays, January 26, 2011,  February 2, 9, 16 and 23 9:30 a.m.-
noon for ages 7-9;   9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for ages 10-13
Practice the methods and deductive reasoning of forensic scientists,
with a culminating mystery to solve.

Homeschool Biology in the Kitchen
Thursdays, January 27, 2011, February 3, 10, 17, 24 and March 3;
Ages 7-9
Explore the presence of and uses for biological materials and living
organisms in the kitchen.

Homeschool Evolutionary Biology
Thursdays, January 27, 2011, February 3, 10, 17, 24 and March 3; 9:30
a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Ages 10-13
An in-depth look at the concept of evolutionary change featuring labs,
observation of animals and plants, and exciting discussions.

Homeschool Science Club: Collecting Craze
Friday, February 25, 2011; 1-4 p.m.
Ages 5-6, 7-9, 10-13
All about collections, from things kids collect to things scientists
collect, and how to classify and display your collections.

Homeschool Science Club: Ancient Egypt
Friday, March 18,  2011; 1-4 p.m.
Ages 5-6, 7-9, 10-13
The archaeology and history of Kemet: mythology, everyday life,
pharoahs, pyramids, tombs, mummification.

Homeschool Engineering: Bridge Building
Wednesdays, April 6, 2011, 13, 20 and 27; 9:30 a.m.-noon
Ages 7-9
Explore beam, arch and suspension bridges and design and construct
a bridge.

Homeschool Engineering: Designing Lighting Systems
Wednesdays, April 6, 2011, 13, 20 and 27; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Ages 10-13
Explore and experiment with light, then design a lighting system to
light the hieroglyphics in an ancient Egyptian tomb.

Homeschool Marine Biology
Thursdays, April 7, 2011, 14, 21, 28, May 5 and 12; 9:30 a.m.-noon
Ages 7-9,  Look at the adaptations of ocean animals, from dolphins to
fish to octopus, through hands-on activities.

Homeschool Genetics
Thursdays, April 7, 2011,14, 21, 28, May 5 and 12; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Ages 10-13
An in-depth study of this exciting area of biology. Labs include DNA
extraction and gel electrophoresis.

Homeschool Science Club: Sand, Soil and Mud
Friday, April 15, 2011; 1-4 p.m.
Ages 5-6, 7-9, 10-13
Earth science and life science combine as we focus on all kinds of dirt.

For more info, visit
Science Museum of Minnesota
Virginia Museum of Natural History
Homeschool Wednesdays

Homeschool programs are available at the Virginia Museum of
Natural History. The museum is in Martinsville, Virginia. The classes
are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 10:00 until
11:15 a.m., unless otherwise noted. Cost is $5. Classes are divided
into two age groups: 6-10 and 11-18.  

*Pre-registration is required one week prior to each event by calling
the museum at (276) 634-4185 or email at
discover@vmnh.virginia.gov.  A program may be cancelled if the
minimum number is not met.

2011 Schedule

February 9
Life cycles

March 16
Environmental Science

April 13
Properties of the Earth

May 11
Earth Cycles

June 8
Wonders of Water

July 13
Explorations in the Sky