Scheduling Call (412) 622-3288 to register. Fee Members: $10 per child, $15 per parent/child pair. Non-members: $12 per child, $17 per parent/child pair.

Extend your home classroom into the museum!

Carnegie Museum of Natural History offers a variety of special in-depth programs for homeschoolers. These classes enhance inquiry skills and deepen your child’s interest in their world and science.

Registrations must be made by the Friday prior to the class. All classes are held Tuesdays, 1-2:30 p.m.

Ages 4–5
Shadow Dance
The groundhog is the weatherman on Mother Nature’s newscast! See “weather” or not there will be a long winter. Learn how shadows can be used for both work and play.
Feb. 10

Eggcellent Adventure
Chickens, turtles, fish, and even frogs hatch from eggs. In this egg-citing class, you’ll be introduced to eggs in all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures.
Feb. 24

Horseplay
Learn about the horse from mane to tail, from head to hoof! Whether for work or play, the horse has helped humans for thousands of years. Giddyup!
March 17

Baby, Baby
The animal world is full of babies. Sure you have heard of cubs and kittens but do you know what a cygnet or a joey is? Did you also know a cow isn’t the only animal to have a calf?
March 31

Chitter Chatter
Learn the important information animals have to communicate. What does it mean when a skunk does a handstand or when a cat wags its tail?
April 14

Ages 6–7
Remarkable Raptors
Which raptor has talons as big as a grizzly bear’s claws? How do owls fly so quietly? What’s the fastest bird in the world? Step into the world of powerful eagles, speedy falcons, secretive owls, and other birds of prey.
Feb. 10

Life on the Nile
What was it like to live in the land of pharaohs and mummies? Learn about daily life in ancient Egypt by examining artifacts and visiting Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt. Students will also learn how to read and write using hieroglyphs like an ancient Egyptian scribe.
Feb. 24

Garbology
Garbage is everywhere. Learn about composting and recycling waste as you investigate the impact of garbage on our planet. In this class, you’ll start your own worm composting system to take home and discover other ways to use your recyclable materials to help keep our planet clean!
March 17

What’s Happening at the Pond?
Slimy green stuff covers the surface, and weird-looking creatures lurk in the mud. It’s not science fiction—it’s a pond! Learn about the biodiversity in and around the pond environment. Use a microscope and a hand lens to examine the variety of organisms that live in a pond, from top to bottom. If you like, bring your own pond scum to analyze.
March 31

Just Horsing Around
No other animal can match the contribution that horses have made to our civilization. Why are horses such good partners with people? Study the evolution of the horse, its domestication, and its natural history.
April 14

Ages 8–9
Whoooo Goes There?
Learn all about owls, the silent hunters of the night, and dissect an owl pellet to see what prey was on the menu!
Feb. 10

Night Sky Navigating
Explore the world of constellations, including an immersive video show in the Discovery Dome.
Feb. 24

Horse Sense
Study the evolution of the horse and mankind’s complex relationship with this amazing animal. This class is in conjunction with the special exhibit The Horse.
March 17

Local Natives
Investigate Western Pennsylvania’s Native cultures with a virtual Seneca village tour in the Earth Theater and a hands-on dig for some Monongahela Indian artifacts.
March 31

Insect Investigation
Find out about entomology and try your hand at mounting a preserved specimen. This class includes the opportunity to meet some live insect guests!
April 14

Ages 10–12
Arctic Expedition
For more than a century, Carnegie Museum of Natural History has sponsored expeditions to explore the animals and people of the Arctic. Now it’s your turn! Explore the artifacts and history behind our Polar World exhibition, and learn how life has changed and how factors like global warming might affect life in the future.
Feb. 10

You’re My Anchor
The web of life is complicated. The interaction between plant, animal, and environment is essential for survival, but there are certain species that stand above the rest – the anchor species. From the Saguaro cactus of the southwest Sonoran Desert, to the Baobab tree of the African Savannah, learn the species that, if lost, could have dire consequences to all who depend on them for food and shelter.
Feb. 24

Awesome Owls
Owls are fascinating birds! They have many adaptations that make them formidable predators, ranging from silent flight to night vision. Analyze the raptor’s midnight snack by dissecting owl pellets.
March 17

Saddle Up!
Journey through the special exhibition The Horse, and explore the millennia of our enduring relationship with this magnificent animal. Learn how the horse has helped shape human culture, and how we, in turn, have domesticated the horse.
March 31

Pennsylvania Natural Heritage
Discover what has drawn people to Pennsylvania for thousands of years. From the Monongahela people to the industrial revolution, Pennsylvania’s natural resources have allowed people past and present to thrive in its rich natural heritage. Learn about Pennsylvania plants, animals, minerals, and more, and what is being done to conserve these resources for generations to come.
April 14

Private programs in the Fisher Scientific Biotechnology Lab are available for Homeschool groups. Call Gina Badger 412-622-3238 or BadgerG@CarnegieMNH.org for more information.