Join us at the EcoTarium for hands-on science learning designed for homeschoolers!
Dive into hands-on, inquiry-based science learning tailored specifically for homeschool families! Our programs offer interactive experiences across multiple age groups, providing engaging STEM education, social connections, and access to materials and resources that make learning come alive.
By Homeschoolers, For Homeschoolers
The EcoTarium's education team met with local homeschool families to learn more about unique learning needs, challenges, and goals in order to create engaging and effective programs. We aim to foster a supportive learning community that empowers families to explore science together, catering to diverse interests and learning styles.
Homeschool students engage with science in our EcoTarium Explorers, EcoTarium Adventurers, and Family Science Workshop programs. We invite our youngest learners to join our Ready, Set, STEAM! weekly early learning programs. The EcoTarium also offers daily educator-led public programs designed to inspire a passion for science and nature!
We encourage families to join our Homeschool Membership Program to be a part of a vibrant learning community that supports your child's scientific curiosity. As a member of three reciprocal networks, the EcoTarium's membership program also provides free and reduced admission to over 1,000 other museums, zoos, gardens, and cultural institutions nationwide.
- 1 hour sessions
- $10 per student (children ages 5+) plus the cost of admission
- Caregivers must attend class with students
- Younger siblings are welcome to be in the classroom during the session
- Up to 15 students per session
Dates and Topics
Click program titles below to register. If a session is full, please sign up for our waitlist LINKED HERE.
- SOLD OUT: Tuesday, September 16 @ 2:00 p.m. | Mysteries of Animal Tracking
- SOLD OUT: Wednesday, September 24 @ 2:00 p.m. | Paleontology
- SOLD OUT: Friday, October 3 @ 10:30 a.m. | Insects
- SOLD OUT: Friday, October 10 @ 10:30 a.m. | Making Waves
- SOLD OUT: Tuesday, October 14 @ 2:00 p.m. | Rocket Launch
- SOLD OUT: Friday, October 24 @ 10:30 a.m. | Invisible Forces
- SOLD OUT: Wednesday, November 5 @ 2:00 p.m. | Weather
- SOLD OUT: Friday, November 14 @ 10:30 a.m. | Animal Adaptations
- Friday, November 21 @ 10:30 a.m. | City Hot Zones
- Tuesday, December 2 @ 2:00 p.m. | Build Your World
- SOLD OUT: Friday, December 12 @ 10:30 a.m. | Cool Chemistry
- Tuesday, December 16 @ 2:00 p.m. | Animal Adaptations
Take advantage of all the EcoTarium has to offer with a Homeschool Membership! Homeschool members receive all benefits of standard EcoTarium membership plus early access to homeschool class registration.
Membership Benefits
- Free admission including all public programs, Biofacts and Board Games sessions, and early learning programs.
- Free or reduced admission to 1,000+ museums, zoos, and gardens through the EcoTarium's three reciprocal networks: Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Passport Program, Association of Children's Museums (ACM) Reciprocal Network, and North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association.
- Discounted rates on train tickets, planetarium shows, museum shop purchases, birthday parties, and camp programs.
- Early access to EcoTarium Explorers, EcoTarium Adventurers, and See Yourself in STEM homeschool class registrations.
Homeschool Membership Details
- $175 admits up to 4 individuals; one of those individuals must be an adult cardholder
- Add individuals for $25 per person, up to 8 total
Visit our membership webpage for more information.
The EcoTarium is open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Tuesday – Sunday. The museum and grounds are closed on most Mondays. Please note that in order to participate in programs, all individuals on-site (youth and adults) must have an admission ticket.
Infants (under 2 years old) are admitted free of charge. Discounted admission is available for EBT, WIC, or Wonderfund cardholders. EcoTarium members, including homeschool members, receive free admission. Please see our ticketing page for prices and more information.
Day Camp Programs
Build friendships, learn through hands-on science and nature activities, and discover through play and exploration of our museum and grounds. In each of our themed week-long sessions, campers will explore with our amazing camp staff and museum educators for an experience they won’t forget!
Birthday Parties
Have a fun-filled, stress-free experience while hosting a birthday party that everyone will enjoy! Birthday parties include a 90-minute rental of private party space, fun science programming, and a dedicated birthday party assistant for your group. Included with your party reservation is all-day access to the museum for your entire group. Your guests can come early, stay late, explore science and nature activities, the 45 acres of nature trails, outdoor exhibits and animals, trails, planetarium shows, seasonal train rides, and more.
Night Journeys Museum Overnight
Enjoy a night of hands-on thematic programming and exploration. Designed for groups of children ages 5-14, overnights at the EcoTarium are educational, interactive, and FUN! Imagine exploring the EcoTarium after hours when all the visitors have left for the evening. Our Night Journey overnight experiences are the perfect way for any group to see what happens when the lights go out and the exhibits and animals settle in for the night.
Otter Encounters
Enjoy this opportunity to get up close to our otters and feed them their favorite foods. These animals will also demonstrate their training skills. Our EcoTarium Animal Keepers will provide an overview of the natural history of North American River Otters, the conservation challenges all thirteen species of otters face, and the specific care that Slydell and Daisy receive here!
Planetarium Shows
Embrace your inner astronomer! Be inspired. Explore the far reaches of the universe. Discover the wonders beyond Earth’s atmosphere in the only public planetarium in central Massachusetts.
Payment Policy
All class payments are nonrefundable.
Class Cancelation and Schedule Changes
The EcoTarium reserves the right to cancel or modify a class or program due to inclement weather, staffing limitations, or under-enrollment. If a class needs to be canceled, only enrolled students will be contacted and full refunds of the class fee will be provided.
Student Absences
Class payments are nonrefundable, and the EcoTarium cannot guarantee make-up sessions or alternative options in the event of student absence.
Drop-off and Pick-up Policy
Students in the EcoTarium Adventurers program are expected to be dropped off on-time for class. Only adults listed as authorized pick-ups upon registration are permitted to pick up students from class. A photo ID is required for anyone picking up a student.
Behavior Expectations
All students are expected to demonstrate mutual respect for each other and for staff. Bullying or harassment of any kind is not tolerated, and appropriate action will be taken in partnership with caregivers to ensure a safe and engaging environment for all.
Learning Accommodations
Students who would benefit from having an aide, translator, caregiver, or therapist in class are welcome to do so. If there are any learning accommodations that you would like our staff to be aware of, please complete the "Learning Accommodations" section of class registration.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The EcoTarium welcomes youth and adults of all backgrounds. Together we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender identity, ideology, income, nationality, race, or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity, feel accepted, and enjoy being a part of our community.
