Homeschool Science and Lab Classes at The Oakes Museum
Homeschool Programs
2024-2025
Science Classes
Creek Study - Class completed
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!
Insects - Class completed
Learn about what makes insects unique, how they survive, techniques for collection, and their ecological importance. Come prepared for a hike!
Pennsylvania Mammals - Class completed
Discover what mammals live in Pennsylvania, how scientists study them, and how they fit into food webs. Come prepared for a hike!
Seashells
October 24 – 10:00 – noon (k - 4) - FULL
October 24 - 1:00-3:00 (k-4) - NEW CLASS ADDED
October 29 - 10:00 – noon (k - 4)
October 28 - 1:00 - 3:30 (5th-10th) - NEW CLASS ADDED
October 29 – 1:00 – 3:30 (5th - 10th) - FULL
November 1 – 10:00 – noon (k - 4) - FULL
November 1 – 1:00 – 3:00 (k - 4)
Learn about mollusks and clams, how they grow and use their shells, their anatomy and how people have used shells throughout history. Older students will do a mollusk dissection.
Scientific Method
November 15 – 10:00 – noon (k-4) - FULL
November 15 – 1:00 – 3:30 (5th – 10th)
November 19 – 10:00 – noon (k-4)
November 21 – 10:00 – noon (k-4)
November 21 – 1:00 – 3:00 (k-4)
Learn how scientists use the skills of observation and asking questions to develop and conduct experiments.
Owls
December 4 – 10:00 – noon (k - 4) - FULL
December 4 – 1:00 – 3:00 (k - 4)
December 10 – 10:00 – noon (k-4) - FULL
December 11 – 10:00 – noon (k - 4)
December 11 – 1:00 – 3:30 (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.
Human Anatomy
January 10 – 10:00 – noon (k - 4) - FULL
January 10 – 1:00 - 3:00 (k - 4) - FULL
January 14 – 10:00 – noon (k - 4) - FULL
January 16 – 10:00 – noon (k-4) - FULL
January 16 – 1:00 – 3:30 (5th – 10th)
Take a look inside our bodies to see how we move, breathe, get energy, and more!
Canines
January 27 – 1:00 – 3:00 (k - 4)
January 28 – 10:00 - noon (k - 4)
January 28 – 1:00 – 3:00 (k - 4)
January 30 – 10:00 – noon (k - 4) - FULL
January 30 – 1:00 – 3:30 (5th – 10th) - FULL
Learn how canines are different from other animal groups, where they fit into animal classification, and how they impact the ecology of where they live. We will focus on African wild dogs, jackals, foxes, coyotes, and wolves.
Minerals
February 7 – 10:00 – noon (k-4) - FULL
February 7 – 1:00 – 3:30 (5th- 10th)
February 11 – 10:00 – noon (k-4) - FULL
February 11 – 1:00 – 3:00 (k – 4) - FULL
February 13 – 10:00 – noon (k-4) - FULL
Discover how minerals form, how geologists study minerals, and how people use minerals every day.
$15/student
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).
Afternoon classes are drop-off programs.
Lab Classes - 6th – 12th Grade Students
Cell Biology
October 21 - 10:00 - noon - NEW CLASS ADDED
October 22 – 10:00 – noon- Full
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)
Microscopic Forensics
October 21 - 1:00-3:00 - NEW CLASS ADDED
October 22 – 1:00-3:00- Full
Students will make their own slides to view them under microscopes as they learn how to identify different samples. After learning the basics, students will use their skills to evaluate evidence from a mock crime scene to try and pinpoint a culprit. This class is a great introduction to microscopes and forensic science. ($25)
Invertebrate Anatomy
October 25 – 10:00 – noon
January 9 – 10:00 – noon
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
October 25 – 1:00 – 3:00
January 9 – 1:00 - 3:00
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)
The Cardiovascular System
March 12 – 10:00 – noon
Students will learn about the anatomy and physiology of the heart, dissect an animal heart, and study what external factors can affect heart health. Students will dissect a sheep heart. ($30)
Blood Typing
March 11 - 10:00 - noon - NEW CLASS ADDED
March 12 – 1:00-3:00- Full
Students will learn the importance of determining blood groups and how to type blood samples. ($25)
Epidemiology
March 13 – 10:00 – noon- Full
March 14 - 1:00 - 3:00 - NEW CLASS ADDED
Students will perform an experiment which models how a disease can spread, causing an epidemic, and identify “patient zero.” This is a great introduction to germs, viruses, and how they can spread within a population. ($30)
Palynology and Forensics
March 13 – 1:00-3:00- Full
March 14 - 10:00 - noon - NEW CLASS ADDED
Students will use prepared slides to compare pollen spores from different geographic regions to samples from the digestive tract of a mummy as forensic tools to determine their activities during the last hours of their life. This is a great introduction to microscopes and forensic science. ($30)
Lab classes are drop-off programs.
Pre-registration and prepayment is required.
Our grade designations are guidelines, not rules
One more opportunity:
Restoration Ecology
October 30 - 9:30 – noon
Students will be introduced to Restoration Ecology as they join Messiah University students and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to conduct a tree planting on campus. They will learn why tree planting is important, why restoration ecology is important, and about the work of the Alliance. They will also get to plant trees! ($10)
This opportunity is only open to students in grades 6-12. Parents can come along, but no younger siblings. Space is limited, so register early.
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.
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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.