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Homeschool

Homeschool Science and Lab Classes at The Oakes Museum

Homeschool Programs
2023-2024

(2024-2025 Schedule will be released in August 2024 - this gives an idea of our programming)

Science Classes

Creek Study    
Class Completed in September
Conduct a study of the Yellow Breeches Creek, looking at physical/chemical components, and macroinvertebrates to find the health of the stream.  Come prepared with water shoes to get into the water!

Flowers
Class Completed in September
Learn why plants have flowers, the structure of a flower, and dissect a flower to learn the parts.   Come prepared for a hike!

Turtles  
Class completed in October. 
Discover PA turtles, the difference between turtles and tortoises, and methods of studying this unique reptile!  Come prepared for a hike!  

Birds
Class completed in November. 
Students will use the museum collections to learn about this amazing animal group.  We will focus on PA birds, how/why birds build nests and bird eggs (using our oology - bird egg - collection).    

Caves  
Class completed in December
Using museum specimens, students will learn about caves, how they form, and the importance of caves in the geology of PA. 

Arctic Animals
Class completed in January
Students will learn about arctic animals and their adaptations for survival in this harsh environment.

Owls
Class complted in January
Discover what makes owls special, discover “whoo” lives in PA,  and solve the mystery of what the owl had for dinner by dissecting an owl pellet.

Endangered Species
Class completed in February
Learn what makes a species endangered, how humans are impacting animal populations, and how we can help. 

 

$15/student
Programs for elementary students require a parent to stay with the child(ren). Younger toddler/preschool siblings are welcome and are considered participants in the program, the cost is $5/sibling. Infant siblings are free.

5th-10th grade classes are drop-off programs.

 

Lab Classes - 6th – 12th Grade Students

Cell Biology
Students will make their own slides and view them under microscopes, as they learn the parts of the cell and the differences between plant and animal cells.  This class is a great introduction to microscopes and cell biology. 

Microscopic Life
Students will learn the common microscopic organisms as they view prepared slides and make their own slides from water sampled from the Yellow Breeches and Grantham Pond.  

Invertebrate Anatomy
Students will be introduced to the external and internal anatomy of invertebrate animals as they learn dissection techniques and safety.  Students will dissect an earthworm and a grasshopper.   

Vertebrate Anatomy  
Students be introduced to the external and internal anatomy of vertebrate animals as they learn dissection techniques and safety.  Students will dissect a frog.   

Vision Lab
Student will learn the anatomy of the eye, dissect a sheep eye, and study how eyes allow animals to see the world.  

Chemical Reactions
Students will conduct multiple experiments as they learn how to identify if a chemical reaction has occurred and learn how chemistry is used in our world.    

Lab classes are drop-off programs.  
Pre-registration and prepayment is required.

Our grade designations are guidelines, not rules

Our refund policy is fairly lenient. Refunds are available if you cancel within a few days (3-4) of the program, or if you let us know on the day of the program someone in your family is ill. No refunds will be given for no shows.  If you want to get into a class that is currently full, email us a day or two before the program to see if any spots have opened. 

If you have any questions, please contact us at oakesmuseum@messiah.edu or 717-691-6082.

Click Here to Register 

Click Here for Payment

 

 The Oakes Museum of Natural History reserves the right to cancel any program one week before it begins due to insufficient registration, or to reschedule for inclement weather.
All prepaid participants will receive a full refund.