Join the experienced education staff at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery for our 2025-2026 Homeschool Days!

General Program Information

• We will be hosting STEM based programs that will cover content aligned with grade levels Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. Please see our themes below for more detail about the programs.
• When registering, please be aware that programs are held at different times because they are adapted for certain content understanding. The programs will be divided by children with a Pre-Kindergarten-2nd grade, 3rd-5th grade, and 6th-8th grade content understanding. There will be some programming that is suitable for all ages/grade levels. Please read the descriptions of each program to learn more.

• Homeschool programs with unique monthly themes will occur on the 2nd Monday of the month from September through May (excluding December).
• Registration and prepayment are MANDATORY in order to participate and secure a space in the programs.

Registration

Registration and prepayment are MANDATORY to participate and secure a space in the programs. Please read the following:  

• $5 per participant in the program.
• The $5 registration fee does not include adults and children not participating in the program.
• The program fee CANNOT be paid the day of the program.
• Registration will CLOSE at 11:59pm the day before the program
• The registration window for each program will open at 9AM on the date of the prior program.
• This registration fee is only for the program, all participants and non-participants will still need to enter through the front of the museum and pay for their admission. This is in addition to the $5 program fee mentioned above. Options for museum entry include:
  • General Admission
  • Boonshoft Membership
  • Museums for All
  • Reciprocal Membership from another institution
  • AAA Discount
  • State Farm Discount
  • Military Discount

What to Expect 

• Please arrive ten (10) minutes in advance of your program time.
• Please allot time to pay for your museum admission at the front desk.
• Programs will start and end at the time they are listed on the registration. 
• Late arrivals can still join a program, but the end time will remain the same as it is stated in the program description. 
• There are no refunds issued for late arrivals or missed programs. 
  
• All children under the age of 16 must have an adult with them at all times in the museum.
• You MUST fill out a registration form and pay for each child who will be participating in the program to reserve your spot.  

Upcoming Dates and Themes

Monday, September 8th

Theme: Scientific Method

Description: Kick off this school year the scientific way! This month, students will discover what it means to be a scientist and the practical applications of STEM in our community. Students will use scientific tools, and develop critical thinking skills through the use of the scientific method and engaging activities.

Location: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Edison/Einstein classrooms in the Education Lobby.

Registration opens at 9:00AM on August 11th

Monday, October 13th

Theme: Chemistry

Description: Come and explore matter and chemistry with coloring changing and bubbling reactions! 

Location: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Edison/Einstein classrooms in the Education Lobby.  

Registration opens at 9:00AM on September 8th

Monday, November 10th

Theme: Archaeology

Description: This month our program will take place at the SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park, the home of some of the Dayton area's first residents. Students in grades 3rd-8th will get into the dirt in our archaeological dig pits on site and practice the techniques used by real archaeologists. The PreKindergarten-2nd grade group will have a classroom workshop about the people of SunWatch in the classroom space on the 2nd floor. 

Location: SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park

2301 W. River Rd., Dayton, OH 45417

Other Information: SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park is a different location from the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. This program takes place mostly outdoors and is subject to change due to inclement weather. This program will also involve digging in dirt and sand so please plan accordingly with a change of clothes. Please note that this program will run for about 45 minutes instead the usual 30 minutes for the other homeschool day programs. Admission for SunWatch would still need to be paid upon arrival in addition to the program preregistration fee. 

Registration opens at 9:00AM on October 13th

Monday, January 12th

Theme: Paleontology

Description: The theme this month is paleontology. Come learn about fossils and about Dayton's Dinosaur!

Location: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Edison/Einstein classrooms in the Education Lobby.  

Registration opens at 9:00AM on November 10th

Monday, February 9th

Theme: Characteristics of Living Things

Description: Explore living things from honeybees to owls to the creatures who call our waterways home.

Location: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Edison/Einstein classrooms in the Education Lobby. 

Registration opens at 9:00AM on January 12th 

Monday, March 9th

Theme: Astronomy

Description: Come visit us for a day of space exploration at Boonshoft! Your student will see a live planetarium show and do a hands on activity about how telescopes work, and explore what we can see in our sky tonight. 

Location: Caryl D. Philips Space Theater

Registration opens at 9:00AM on February 9th

Monday, April 13th

Theme: Environmental Science

Description: This month we are talking TRASH, Taking Responsibility at School and Home. Come learn about the ways we can reduce, reused, and recycle the things we throw away. 

Location: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Edison/Einstein classrooms in the Education Lobby.

Registration opens at 9:00AM on March 9th

Monday, May 11th

Theme: Guided Hike

Description: Come on a walk through the woods with us to discover and observe plants and animals that live there.

Location: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Meet in the Education Lobby  

Other Information: This program will take place entirely outdoors. Please bring close-toed shoes and clothing that you do not mind getting potentially muddy. This program will take place mostly outdoors and is subject to change due to inclement weather. The trails may be too rough for some strollers so please plan accordingly. 

Registration opens at 9:00AM on April 13th