Homeschool Classes
Explore the natural world in Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s homeschool classes! Students ages 6-18 from the Western Pennsylvania homeschool community are invited to attend interactive, engaging sessions designed to complement homeschool science curriculums. Read on below to learn more about the schedule and descriptions of all our classes and to register your learner today – classes fill up quickly!
Homeschool Classes for the 2026-27 school year meet at the museum on the following Mondays from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Registration opens on August 24.
Fall 2026 Session
October 19
October 26
November 2
November 9
November 16
Last day to register for Fall session: October 5, 2026
Winter 2027 Session
January 25
February 1
February 8
February 15
February 22
Last day to register for Winter Session: January 11, 2027
Spring 2027 Session
April 19
April 26
May 3
May 10
May 17
Last day to register for Spring Session: April 5, 2027
Fall 2026 Session
My Mini Museum (Ages 6-8)
Investigate amazing museum marvels – from a giant whale jaw and flying pterosaurs to tiny insects and micro-crystals. Open a mystery bag each Monday to discover weekly themed adventures that let you explore the museum and build your own miniature exhibits. Learn how to use microscopes and make tiny objects seem larger than life. Go behind the scenes with scientists to see real specimens.
Register Now →Get Lost (Ages 9-12)
Learn techniques in survival and orienteering that will help you find your way around. Survey the sky for navigational signs and learn how to properly use a map and compass. Investigate the survival adaptations of animals and build your own safety skills. Seek and discover treasures in and around the museum.
Zoology (High School – Ages 13-18)
Learn about the scientific study of animals and investigate the difference between invertebrate and vertebrate zoology. Explore the taxonomy and classification of living things, from the simplest life forms to more complex animals. Work to understand the balance within an ecosystem and discover the physical characteristics that differentiate birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Conduct real dissections and delve into comparative anatomy between these classes of animals.
Winter 2027 Session
Paleontology Passport (Ages 6-8)
Let’s go back in time to unravel the mysteries of Earth! Journey through geologic epochs to uncover the history of life on our planet, from trilobites to dinosaurs to mammals of the Ice Age. Conduct experiments and go behind the scenes to learn how the world has changed through time, and leave your own mark by constructing a time capsule to take home.
Super Scientist (Ages 9-12)
Roll up your sleeves and prepare to get messy! Make mystery solutions that fizz, pop, and explode. Discover why objects glow in the dark and make fluorescent crystals. Explore the science behind the perfect chocolate chip cookie. Dive into mysteries of the mind and dissect a sheep’s brain. Learn forensic science techniques and use them to solve a museum mystery.
Pathology (High School – Ages 13-18)
Study the science of cells, diseases, and the intricate balance of systems in the human body. Examine microscopic organisms and discover how they impact health and the environment. Investigate the structure and function of cells and explore lab techniques used in the field of cellular biology. Learn how to suture, test surfaces for bacteria, and conduct a natural antibiotic experiment.
Spring 2027 Session
Life on the Nile (Ages 6-8)
Navigate the Nile to discover what life was like in ancient Egypt. Learn about the role of animals in Egyptian culture and religion. Design costumes and act out your favorite stories from Egyptian mythology. Make a splash with hands-on activities and investigate the importance of rivers. Visit the new exhibition, Egypt on the Nile, to see ancient belongings and specimens that tell the story of ancient Egypt.
Egyptian Exploration (Ages 9-12)
Learn all about Egypt in this immersive class that focuses on the connections between nature and culture in ancient Egypt, from the importance of the sun to life along the vast Nile River. Study the ecosystems and landscapes of Africa and the animals that live in them. Discover Egyptian inventions and games, then explore the new exhibition, Egypt on the Nile, to see how climate, landscape, and the natural world shaped ancient Egypt.
Archaeology (High School – Ages 13-18)
Explore the study of humans, human history, and what physical evidence teaches us about the past. Learn excavation techniques and how archaeologists analyze the materials they uncover. Investigate human evolution and how environments shape human cultures, plus observe and analyze shelters from ancient societies. Visit the new exhibition, Egypt on the Nile, to see ancient belongings and natural science specimens that bring to life the natural world of Egypt.
Registration and Cancellation Policies
Late registration (within two weeks of the session start date) may be possible with an additional $50 fee. Contact ProgramRegistration@CarnegieMuseums.org to inquire about availability.
For cancellations to a single session, participants are eligible for a full refund minus a $10 processing fee if cancelling more than one week before the session begins. For cancellations made less than one week before the session starts, but before the second class in the session, participants are eligible for a refund minus a $10 processing fee and the pro-rated cost of the first class. No refunds will be issued after the second class meeting.
Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of a museum closure, classes for the impacted day(s) will be cancelled. Announcements of Carnegie Museums closures are made on the museum’s website, social media channels, and local Pittsburgh television stations including KDKA, WTAE, and WPXI. Should conditions result in cancellation of classes on a day the museum remains open, announcements will be made via e-mail. Decisions are based on the needs of both students and instructors, some of whom drive considerable distances to Oakland. Makeup days may be scheduled for missed classes. During any inclement weather, please use your own discretion to attend for your own safety and that of your student.
