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. We aim to foster a supportive learning community that empowers families to explore science together, catering to diverse interests and learning styles.
Homeschool students explore a new science topic each session in our new EcoTarium Explorers, EcoTarium Adventurers, and See Yourself in STEM classes. 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.
Biofacts and Board Games Meet-up
Stop by to play board games and learn more about the EcoTarium's natural history collection! Each week, an educator will curate a selection of artifacts from our collection for you to explore with your group. Once you're done, stick around to play a board game (choose one of ours or bring your own) with friends new and old!
- Weekly on Tuesdays, September through June, excluding Worcester Public School vacations
- Meets in Hirsh Center on the museum's lower level (across from the bear)
- 2:30 pm – 4:45 pm (biofacts available 2:30 – 3:30 pm)
- Included with admission
EcoTarium Public Programs
Every day at the EcoTarium is a new adventure! Join an EcoTarium educator, zookeeper, or curator to learn more about the world around you in programs designed to inspire a passion for science and nature. All programs listed below are included with admission. Take a look at our calendar for program times.
- Afternoon Astronomy: Early sunset got you down? Look up! Join us on Sundial Plaza to look through a telescope at the Moon or another planet, or if conditions don’t permit come into the Alden Planetarium for an interactive guided tour of the evening sky!
- Animal Discovery: Learn more about our resident animals at our Animal Discovery Programs! Meet one of our expert zookeepers and get a closer look at a live animal ambassador as we discuss animal care, behaviors, and adaptations.
- Collection Connection: The EcoTarium has thousands of specimens – fossils, gems, birds, weird things in jars – behind the scenes in our scientific collection. Come see something that isn’t on display every day!
- Science Discovery: Catch our free, daily, educator-led Science Discovery programs. You might engineer a tower, meet an animal, concoct a potion, find a hidden rainbow, crack a code, examine mysterious bones, or put your senses to the test!
- Snake Feeding: Are you curious about what our snakes eat, or how fast they can slither? Get up close with one of our resident reptiles, and learn how we care for them during this zookeeper-led keeper chat.
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
- $150 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!
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.
Naturalist Program
The Naturalist Program at the EcoTarium is a series of weekend sessions geared toward teens who are interested in exploring nature and science. In this program, we will learn to observe the natural world and consider what we can do to protect it – our one and only shared home here on Earth.
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 and See Yourself in STEM programs 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.
