Homeschool
Homeschool Science and Lab Classes at The Oakes Museum
Homeschool Programs
2026-2027
IMPORTANT INFO:
Please bear with us as we are transitioning to a new registration process.
To register for a homeschool class:
- Select the link for the date and time you would like to register for.
- Select the registration type from the dropdown menu.
- Please note: Only one ticket type can be made per purchase – we apologize for the inconvenience. If you need to purchase an additional ticket type, a second transaction will need to be made.
- Enter the number of students you are registering for the selected ticket type.
- Click “Checkout.”
- Enter the name and age of child(ren) attending.
- Enter your payment information and click “Pay.”
All students that attend a drop-off program will need a Release Form on file. Students attending our K-4th programs with a parent/guardian do not need a Release Form.
Please click the link below to fill out the form. Forms can either be emailed to oakesmuseum@messiah.edu or printed and brought to the program. Only one Release Form is required per student per academic year.
Each of our Science Classes is offered in two formats:
Programs for elementary students (k-4) 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 (hand-held or in stroller).
Classes for 5th-10th graders are drop-off programs.
Each student is $15.00
Science Classes
Yellow Breeches Creek Study
Explore the Yellow Breeches as we learn what lives in our water. We will discover the animals living in the creek and why they are important indicators of a healthy environment. We will also explore the idea of a watershed and the importance of healthy stream ecosystems.
Museum staff will meet you right across the covered bridge in the Starry Fields Parking lot.
Come prepared with water shoes to get into the water!
September 15: 10AM-Noon (K-4th)
September 16: 10am-Noon (K-4th) September 16: 1pm-3pm (K-4th)
September 17: 10am-noon (K-4th) September 17: 1pm-3:30pm (5-10th)
September 18: 10am-noon (k-4th) September 18: 1pm-3:30pm (5-10th)
Animal Habitats
Students will learn what is needed in a habitat for survival, they will make a habitat, explore how animals build shelter and how humans can help animals by protecting habitats.
Museum staff will meet you at the covered bridge in the Starry Fields Parking lot to walk up to the Oakes Museum for the program. Arrive at the parking lot 10-15 minutes before class begins to allow time to walk to museum.
September 22: 10am-noon (K-4th)
September 23: 10am-noon (k-4th) September 23: 1-3:00 (K-4th)
September 25: 10am-noon (K-4th)
September 28: 1pm-3:30pm (5th-10th)
Fruit
Students will learn about the importance of fruit to plants and people, the different types of fruits, and the role fruits play in our ecosystems.
October 15 - 1-3:00 (K-4th) - registration coming soon
October 16 - 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:00 (K-4th) - registration coming soon
October 19 - 10-noon (K-4th) - registration coming soon
October 20 - 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:30 (5th-10th) - registration coming soon
Hippos
We will take a deep dive into this amazing creature - discovering hippo habitat, feeding habits and unique adaptations for survival.
October 26 - 1-3:00 (K-4th) - registration coming soon
October 27 - 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:00 (K-4th) - registration coming soon
October 30 - 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:30 (5th-10th) - registration coming soon
Simple Machines
Using Legos and K’nex, students will learn about simple machines, and have the chance to create their own examples.
November 16 - 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:00 (K-4th) - registration coming soon
November 17 - 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:00 (K-4th) - registration coming soon
November 19 - 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:30 (5th-10th) - registration coming soon
Owls
Discover what makes owls unique, discover “whoo” lives in PA, and solve the mystery of what the owl had for dinner by dissecting an owl pellet.
December 7 - 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:00 (K-4th) - registration coming soon
December 8 - 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:30 (5th-10th) - registration coming soon
December 10 - 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:30 (5th-10th) - registration coming soon
December 11 - 10-noon (K-4th) - registration coming soon
PA DAY
What is the state bird? Mammal? Mineral? Learn about Pennsylvania's state symbols, common plants and animals, and other ways our state is unique.
January 12 - 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:00 (K-4th) - registration coming soon
January 14 - 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:00 (K-4th) - registration coming soon
January 15 - 10-noon (k-4th) and 1-3:30 (5th-10th) - registration coming soon
Mystery Day
January 26 – 10:00-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:00 (K-4th) - registration coming soon
January 28 – 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:00 (K-4th) - registration coming soon
January 29 – 10:00 – noon (K-4th) and 1-3:30 (5th-10th) - registration coming soon
Test your problem solving skills as we solve mysteries at the museum! We will also look into how scientists solve mysteries in our world.
Digestion
February 9 – 10:00–noon (K-4th) and 1-3:00 (K-4th) - registration coming soon
February 11 – 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:00 (K-4th) - registration coming soon
February 12 – 10-noon (K-4th) and 1-3:30 (5th-10th) - registration coming soon
Students will learn how teeth help animals eat, how a stomach digests food, and what scientists can learn from animal scat.
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Lab Classes - 6th - 12th Grade Students
Cell Biology - Dates Coming...
Students will make their own slides and view them under microscopes as they learn the parts of the cell and differences between plant and animal cells. This class is a great introduction to microscopes and cell biology. ($25)
Invertebrate Anatomy - Dates Coming...
Students will be introduced to the external and internal anatomy of invertebrate animals as they learn dissection techniques and lab safety. Students will dissect an earthworm and a grasshopper. ($30)
Vertebrate Anatomy - Dates Coming...
Students will be introduced to the external and internal anatomy of vertebrate animals as they learn dissection techniques and lab safety. Students will dissect a frog. ($30)
More classes coming...
Lab classes are drop-off programs.
Pre-registration and prepayment is required.
For all our classes, our grade designations are guidelines, not rules
Our refund policy is fairly lenient. Refunds are available if you cancel within four days 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 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.