Homeschool Science and Lab Classes at The Oakes Museum
Homeschool Programs
2023-2024
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
October 9 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
October 11 – 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
October 11 – 12:30-2:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
October 16 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
October 17 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4)
October 9 - 12:30-3:00 (5th-10th)
Discover PA turtles, the difference between turtles and tortoises, and methods of studying this unique reptile! Come prepared for a hike!
Birds
November 6 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
November 6- 12:30-2:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
November 7 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
November 8 – 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
November 13 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4)
November 8 - 12:30-3:00 (5th-10th)
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
December 11 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4)
December 12 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
December 13 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
December 13 - 12:30-2:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
December 15 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
December 15 - 12:30-3:00 (5th-10th)
Using museum specimens, students will learn about caves, how they form, and the importance of caves in the geology of PA.
Arctic Animals
January 9 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4)
January 10 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4)
January 11 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
January 11 - 12:30-2:30 (k-4) - ALMOST FULL
January 12 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) CLASS IS FULL
January 12 - 12:30-3:00 (5th-10th)
Students will learn about arctic animals and their adaptations for survival in this harsh environment.
Owls
January 22 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
January 23 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
January 23 - 12:30-2:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
January 24 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
January 26 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4)
January 24 - 12:30-3:00 (5th-10th)
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
February 5 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4)
February 6 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
February 7 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
February 7 - 12:30-2:30 (k-4) - CLASS IS FULL
February 9 - 9:30-11:30 (k-4)
February 6 - 12:30-3:00 (5th-10th)
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
October 17 – 9:30-11:30 ($25) - CLASS IS FULL
October 18 - 9:30-11:30 ($25)
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
October 17 – 12:30-2:30 ($25) - CLASS IS FULL
October 18 - 12:30-2:30 ($25)
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
October 20 - 9:30-11:30 ($30)
March 13 – 9:30-11:30 ($30)
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
October 20 - 12:30-2:30 ($30)
March 13 – 12:30-2:30 ($30)
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
March 14 – 9:30-11:30 ($30)
Student will learn the anatomy of the eye, dissect a sheep eye, and study how eyes allow animals to see the world.
Chemical Reactions
March 14 – 12:30-2:30 ($30) - CLASS IS FULL
March 15 - 9:30-11:30 ($30)
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.
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.