Homeschool Groups 
The Ward Museum offers specialized education courses for homeschool groups. Homeschool groups can also chose from any of the programming and events sponsored by the Musuem or request programming to suit educational needs. Parents of homeschool groups may also benefit from our professional development opportunities.
Homeschool Days - 1st Fridays 1-2:30 pm September-June
Children ages 5-12 enjoy a captivating lesson including a take-home craft, outdoor lesson, and interactive games and activities. Explore a new topic each month! Space is limited and pre-registration is required ($5 per child for members, $7 per child for non-members).
2012 Dates and Themes:
January 6: Tundra Swans (Swanfall Exhibit)
Do you know about the journey of the Tundra Swan? Come to the museum and see our new exhibit that showcases carvings, paintings, and artifacts, as well as photography about these majestic animals. Activities include doing an art project of your very own. Then learn while you play a fun bird themed game.
February 3: Making Her Mark (Women Carvers/Artists)
Are you an art-history fan? Or maybe you just love to do art yourself? Well if you do, then this is the week for you! Come to the museum and see all the amazing works of famous women carvers and artists throughout history as we learn about painting and drawing.
March 2: Pass the Energy
Did you know that all energy is connected? Students become producers and consumers to discover how an energy pyramid works in a fun game. This activity explains how energy is passed from one organism to another.
April 6: Rain, Rain Go Away
Have you ever heard the saying “April Showers Bring May Flowers”? In this lesson we will be learning all about rain. Students learn where rain comes from, how clouds form, and about other types of weather. We will also do a fun rain themed craft and activity.
May 4: Pollution! Pollution! Pollution!
In this lesson we will be learning all about pollution and where it comes from. Students will be discussing point and non-point source pollution, waste water, watersheds and how pollution affects human health. We will also do a craft and game to demonstrate how it spreads!
June 1: Birdy Bingo
Do you know tons of facts about birds? Whether you are a bird expert, or even if you need to brush up on your bird knowledge, this will be a great day for you! Students will learn about bird adaptations, habitats, and behaviors, and then test their expertise with a game of Birdy Bingo. A bird craft will show some of the awesome adaptations that birds have.
September 7: All About Adaptations
All organisms change through time to adapt to their environments, but do you know why? This lesson will be all about how plants and animals have evolved over time to not only survive, but also to thrive! A fun activity and craft about adaptations will require students to bring those thinking caps.
October 5: Masters of Disasters
Would you know what to do if a natural disaster hit in your hometown? This lesson will discuss the disasters that we might face, and why they occur. Students will learn how to make their own Masters of Disasters kits, and how to make a plan of action for their own home in case of an emergency.
November 2: Gyotaku
Gyotaku is the ancient art of fish printing, and this lesson will give students the opportunity to learn how to do it! The students will learn how Japanese fisherman used ink to record their catch sizes and brag about what great fishermen they were. After this fun craft students will do an activity that highlights their own fishing skills.
December 7: Solstice Studies
Students will learn all about the solar calendar and be able to describe what a solstice and equinox are. They will also learn about the historical importance of these yearly events as well as the reason for the changing of the seasons! An activity and craft will accompany these fascinating studies.