Homeschool Programs
We offer homeschool experiences for grades K-3 and 4-8 throughout the year.
Homeschool Classes
Educator-led sessions: 10:15 – 11:30am OR 1:15 – 2:30pm
$11 general, $8 Passholders
Registration opens 30 days prior to each program date. Program fee includes Aquarium admission for exploration following the program. Parents are encouraged to register and participate in the program. Space available to enjoy a packed lunch.
Monday, October 16, 2023 or Wednesday, January 10, 2024
K-3 – Wild, Weird & Creepy
Venomous spines, rows of sharp teeth, expert camouflage and star-shaped toes . . . explore poison, tentacles, defense mechanisms and more wild and weird adaptations to learn how they help animals survive. Take home your very own handmade slime!
4-8 – Inside Out
How many ribs does a python have? Do octopi have bones at all? Go beneath the surface to discover amazing animal anatomy and compare and contrast to our own. View animal x-rays to discover biodiversity of skeletons. End the session by dissecting a squid!
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 or Tuesday, February 20, 2024
K-3 – Super Senses
Explore the world of sight, sound, smell, and touch. Catfish have tastebuds covering their whole body! Sharks can sense electric currents! We will use our own senses to help us explore the amazing world of animal senses and learn how different animals rely on these to survive.
4-8 – Sensational Surroundings
Imagine having a sense to detect the muscle movements of nearby fish. Picture what the world looks like from an octopus’s point of view with 250 sensory inputs on every arm. Discover the sensational array of senses found in the animal world, and how humans use technology and equipment to explore underwater worlds.
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 or Monday, March 18, 2024
K-3 – Life Cycles
Do baby animals always look like their parents? How many stages do tadpoles go through before they become frogs? Explore the life cycles of freshwater and ocean animals to observe how they grow. Discover the rainbow transformation of a parrotfish, marvel over the metamorphosis of tadpole to frog and learn about tiny fish fry that look like miniature versions of their mom and dad.
4-8 – Classified
Are corals and jellies related? What’s the difference between a seahorse and a seadragon? Does a sea cucumber have a family tree? Explore systems scientists use to categorize living organisms. Sort out orders, phylums, families and species. Use a dichotomous key to sort and identify aquatic species and relish both the biodiversity and the similarities of life on planet Earth.
Thursday, May 30, 2024
K-3 – Feathery Friends
What makes birds special? How are they different from other animals? Why do they have feathers? Discover the answers to these and other questions as we search for birds both inside and outside of the Aquarium. Try out your observation skills, practice using binoculars to see up-close and learn to identify a few different bird species during this avian adventure. Please dress for the weather as parts of this program take place outdoors.
4-8 – Cleveland Flats Habitats
The Flats may not be the first place you’d think to look for birds, but this urban setting is home to a surprising number of avian species. Put your observation skills to the test, helping spot and identify different birds, gain confidence using binoculars for up-close views and help log data for participatory science. Please dress for the weather as parts of this class take place outdoors.
Homeschool Family Days
10am – 5pm
$11 general, FREE Passholders
Self-guided experience with themed activity sheets available for grades K-3 & 4-8. Space available to enjoy a packed lunch.
- Monday, January 8, 2024 – Winter Animal Behaviors
- Tuesday, April 2, 2024 – Biodiversity
- Wednesday, July 31, 2024 – Sharks
*Beach cleanup is 10am-12pm. Please dress for the weather as this takes place outdoors and includes a 2.5-mile walk (roundtrip) to Wendy Park. Cleanup portion replaces self-guided activity sheets. Program fee includes Aquarium admission for exploration following program.
Homeschool Co-op Classes
Available Monday – Friday, 1 – 3pm
Homeschool Co-op Groups (minimum 10 people, maximum 45 people) can book an exclusive program for your group. Choose from one of the topics listed on our School Field Trip page.
Career Days
Are you a middle school or high school homeschool student? Check out our Career Day programs.
