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Homeschool

Heard Homeschool Natural Science Programs

Introduce Your Homeschool Student To the Natural Sciences

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas offers Natural Science Programs for children ages 3-13. Below, you will be able to find class offerings for three different age groups. Please use your child’s age as of September 1 of the beginning of the academic year for both academic semesters. Click the links below to access more detailed information about each program and registration. Pre-registration is required.

Children staring at a dinosaur that spits water

Weekly Homeschool Classes

Ages 5 - 11

Now is the time to encourage your child’s love of nature! In our natural science programs, kids will have the opportunity explore all that the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary has to offer. Students will experience learning through classroom activities, outdoor field investigations on our 289-acre wildlife sanctuary, laboratory science, small group activities and take-home study packets. Each course curriculum is developed by the Heard Museum’s education staff who strive to recognize and meet the needs of homeschool families. Spots are limited and pre-registration is required.

Topics

5 year olds

 

Fall 2023: Which ‘Ology is Which?

“Ology” refers to the study of a topic, and in this class young scientists are introduced to the study of a variety of scientific fields. Ornithology (birds), herpetology (reptiles & amphibians), entomology (insects) and mammology (mammals) are just a few of the “ologies” that are explored in class.

Spring 2024: Which ‘Ology is Which?

Earth & Planetary Science Young scientists will explore some of the “ologies” that deal with earth and space including geology, climatology, vulcanology and cosmology. The hands-on activities, games and experiments will involve your child directly in the learning process.

 

6-7 year olds

 

Fall 2023: Discover Your World: Animals

Animals come in a vast array of shapes and sizes. Students will explore animal diversity though their classification, habitats, survival requirements and interrelationships.

Spring 2024: Discover Your World: Habitats of Texas

From the desert to the ocean, ponds to wetlands, and mountains to prairies, this semester we will study the many different environments in Texas and the plants and animals make their homes there.

 

8-9 year olds

 

Fall 2023: Explorers: Forest Ecology

Students will study forests around the world, the relationship between trees and plants and the animals that depend on them, as well as explore the importance of forests to us and the global environment. This class utilizes the different woodland habitats found on the sanctuary.

Spring 2024: Explorers: Wildlife and Water

How plants and animals need and use water in the different habitats on the sanctuary and in the world is the focus of this experiential study. Students will also compare the ways wildlife adapts to living in freshwater and saltwater environments.

 

10-12 year olds

 

Fall 2023: Earth Trek: Living on the Planet

From ants to zebras, every animal on the Earth has a purpose. Students will discover the importance of a myriad of animal species on our planet and learn the connections they have to us and each other. We will explore different ecological dilemmas from endangered species to the effects of climate change on ecosystems, animal behavior and health. With the application of the scientific method, this will be an in-depth, thought-provoking and problem-solving experience.

Spring 2024: Earth Trek: Living on the Planet II

In Part 2, we will continue to explore different ecological dilemmas from endangered species to the effects of climate change on ecosystems, animal behavior and health. With the application of the scientific method, this will be an in-depth, thought-provoking and problem-solving experience.

Covid Impact

place holder

Tuition Per Semester

Member Rate: $216

Non-Member Rate: $240

  • (Includes $5 processing fee per payment) 
  • $95  Heard Museum Member* down payment | $115  Non-member down payment
  • A monthly payment (includes a $5 processing fee) will be charged to your credit card on file the 1st of October and November in the fall or February and March in the spring.

Homeschool Covid Protocol Statement as of June 2022

At this time, assuming the rate of infection stays low, we are not anticipating requiring masks to be worn except when live animals are present (generally for about 10-15 minutes) or when the class is going through the Animal Encounter Trail.

However, if conditions change and any local, state, or federal mandates are implemented that would affect what we offer, we reserve the right to make any needed changes to our program offerings and/or class sizes.

What, if any, protocols we put in place will be sent to all registered families and posted on our website by the end of August.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this.

Fall 2023

  • Cancellation/Withdrawals:
  • 100% minus $20 admin fee per student August 1
  • 50% minus $20 admin fee per student August 31
  • No refunds after September 1

Spring 2024

  • 100% minus $20 admin fee per student December 1
  • 50%minus $20 admin fee per student December 29
  • No refunds after December 30

Schedule

Fall 2023 Dates
 
Meet the Teacher

Week of September 12, 1-2pm

(New Students Only)

 

Classes Start – week of September 19

Tuesdays, 1 – 3pm
No class the week of November 21 (Thanksgiving)
Classes End – week of December 12

 
Spring 2024 Dates

 

Meet the Teacher

Week of January 9

 

Classes Start – week of January 16

Tuesdays, 1 – 3pm

No classes the week of March 12 (spring break)
Classes End – April 9
Weather makeup if needed – week of April 16

Reservations

Pre-registration is required for all participants. 

1.  Complete a Registration Form

2. Complete Payment 

 

Please note registration is not complete until a registration form and payment have been completed and submitted for each participating child. An optional monthly payment plan is also available at this link. Please note fees apply.

Additional Information

The Heard’s weekly Homeschool Natural Science Program is appropriate for children ages 5-11. We use the age of each student on September 1 for class placement for the entire academic year.

Homeschool Natural Science Program

Ages 12-13

Fall 2023

The fall semester of this lab-based course will focus on a habitat plot study, combined with hiking and keeping a nature journal. Students will use thermometers, microscopes, and other lab equipment to make observations and gather data about the soil, the plants, and the animal life in their plot throughout the semester.

Topics

Spring 2024

The spring semester will focus on the animal kingdom, combined with building our science vocabulary from Greek and Latin roots, hiking, and keeping a nature journal. Students will observe live animals and specimens, use microscopes and lab tools, and discuss threats to animal habitats.

Student Expectations

Students will be expected to:

  • hike or gather data outdoors for most of each class
  • work together and independently
  • read, follow directions, and stay on task
  • keep a nature journal
  • discuss ideas with others
  • complete a 30-minute homework assignment before each class

Tuition Per Semester

Member Rate: $162

Non-Member Rate: $180

Homeschool Covid Protocol Statement as of June 2022

At this time, assuming the rate of infection stays low, we are not anticipating requiring masks to be worn except when live animals are present (generally for about 10-15 minutes) or when the class is going through the Animal Encounter Trail.

However, if conditions change and any local, state, or federal mandates are implemented that would affect what we offer, we reserve the right to make any needed changes to our program offerings and/or class sizes.

What, if any, protocols we put in place will be sent to all registered families and posted on our website by the end of August.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this.

Fall 2023

  • Cancellation/Withdrawals:
  • 100% minus $20 admin fee per student August 1
  • 50% minus $20 admin fee per student August 31
  • No refunds after September 1

Spring 2024

  • 100% minus $20 admin fee per student December 1
  • 50%minus $20 admin fee per student December 29
  • No refunds after December 30

Schedule

The course will meet 8 times per semester (about twice a month)

1 – 3pm

 

Fall 2023 Meeting Dates
Sept 19 & 26
October 17 & 24
November 7 & 14
December 5 & 12

 

Spring 2024 Dates (tentative)
January 16 & 30
February 13 & 27
March 5 & 19
April 2 & 16

 

Reservations

Pre-registration is required for all participants. 

Additional Information

Please note that the reciprocal admission agreement that the Heard has with Perot Museum, Fort Worth Museum of Nature & Science and ASTC Passport Program participants does not apply to education programs or special events.

GeoGlobe Homeschool Classes

Full Semester

GeoGlobe Homeschool classes will introduce your students to natural science in ways that are both familiar and not-so-familiar. Just like our Tuesday programs, GeoGlobe Homeschool will take advantage of the learning opportunities provided by the Heard’s wildlife sanctuary. However, the Heard’s 4-ft interactive digital globe will put a different twist on the inside lesson portion of our class period!

Spots are limited and pre-registration is required. These classes are for children ages 6-11.

Topics

Fall 2023

 

Our Earth

This fascinating planet is full of marvelous processes, cycles, living things and non-living things that all impact each other.  This fall, we’ll use the Heard’s interactive globe to explore the environmental science of the earth and take a deeper look into the nature which surrounds us. 

 

Spring 2024

 

Our Earth is Always Changing
Our amazing planet is full of spectacular processes and cycles that continually shape and re-shape the layer of the Earth on which we live.  As a result of these impacts, the Earth is always changing!  The Heard’s interactive globe will help us explore the many geological processes which keep things moving around on the Earth’s surface.

Tuition Per Semester

Member Rate: $216

Non-Member Rate: $240

Fall 2023

  • Cancellation/Withdrawals:
  • 100% minus $20 admin fee per student August 1
  • 50% minus $20 admin fee per student August 31
  • No refunds after September 1

Spring 2024

  • 100% minus $20 admin fee per student December 1
  • 50%minus $20 admin fee per student December 29
  • No refunds after December 30

Homeschool Covid Protocol Statement as of June 2022

At this time, assuming the rate of infection stays low, we are not anticipating requiring masks to be worn except when live animals are present (generally for about 10-15 minutes) or when the class is going through the Animal Encounter Trail.

However, if conditions change and any local, state, or federal mandates are implemented that would affect what we offer, we reserve the right to make any needed changes to our program offerings and/or class sizes.

What, if any, protocols we put in place will be sent to all registered families and posted on our website by the end of August.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this.

Schedule

Wednesday, 1-3 p.m.

 
Fall 2023

Sept. 21 – Dec. 14

 
Spring 2024 

Jan. 18 – April 11

Reservations

Pre-registration is required for all participants. 

Additional Information

We use the age of each student on September 1 for class placement for the entire academic year.

Magic Planet Homeschool Classes

Mini Courses

Topics - Fall 2022

Planets

December 1, 8 & 15

Planets often look to us like exceptionally bright stars. Which ones can we see during late fall and early winter? For the holiday season, we’ll journey through our solar system to visit (1) the sun, (2) the inner planets, and (3) the outer planets. As we focus on the planets, we’ll learn to find the ones which are visible without a telescope. 

Tuition Per Semester

Member Rate: $55 per course

Non-Member Rate: $60 per course

Full refund minus $20 admin fee by September 1

Homeschool Covid Protocol Statement as of June 2022

At this time, assuming the rate of infection stays low, we are not anticipating requiring masks to be worn except when live animals are present (generally for about 10-15 minutes) or when the class is going through the Animal Encounter Trail.

However, if conditions change and any local, state, or federal mandates are implemented that would affect what we offer, we reserve the right to make any needed changes to our program offerings and/or class sizes.

What, if any, protocols we put in place will be sent to all registered families and posted on our website by the end of August.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this.

Schedule

Fall 2022 

 

Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

 

December Course: December 1, 8 & 15

Reservations

Pre-registration is required for all participants. 

Additional Information

We use the age of each student on September 1 for class placement for the entire academic year.