Cedar Waxwings

Home School Programs for ages 5-12

Spring 2012 Unit Series

Our popular home school classes continue to be taught this Winter and Spring. We have a new class time! Classes will be held on Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. A different 3 week science unit will be taught each month. Each class consists of instructional time, hands-on exploration and guided nature walks. Handouts for parents with extension ideas and projects are provided for follow up at home.

Date	January 11 - May 16
Time	Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fees per student per unit (3 classes)	$50 Members / $80 Non-members
Register for the Spring and save! (All 5 units - 15 classes)	$215 Members / $300 Non-members

NOTE: $10 fee per person per class for parents and siblings to attend Nature Walk. Siblings may not attend class unless registered.

To schedule a group program, click here.

January: Microworlds

Let's take a peek at the world that needs a scope to see. Students will look at living and nonliving things as a microbiologist. They will have opportunities to culture yeast, examine bug parts, catch and see plankton, and see the world as they have never seen before.

January 11	Microworlds: Microscopes
January 18	Under our Feet: Examine the microscopic world of soil and its inhabitants
January 25	In our Water: Examine the microscopic world of what's in the water

February: Weather Watch

Students will become meteorologists. They will make weather instruments, do hands on experiments and learn how weather affects life.

February 8	What is weather? How do we measure it?Use and make barometers, anemometers, and weather vanes.
February 15	Wind. Learn about air pressure, air density and weather fronts.
February 22	Precipitation. Use a hygrometer to measure humidity, learn about dew point, types of clouds and what makes precipitaion.

March: Reptiles & Amphibians

Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians. We will have many live animals visiting us for this very special unit. Students will learn about native herps and the unique characteristics of cold blooded animals.

March 7	Snakes & Lizards
March 21	Turtles
March 28	Frogs & Salamanders

April: Raptors

Learn how these birds are equipped with specialized beaks, talons and vision to make them meat eating birds.

April 11	What is a raptor?
April 18	Diurnal Raptors: hawks, falcons and vultures
April 25	Nocturnal Raptors: owls

May: Entomology

Students will learn about the amazing world of insects. From butterflies to walking sticks, students will have the opportunity to "sweep" the meadow and "dip" in the pond for the invertebrates that inhabit these ecosystems.

May 2	What is an insect? Learn the characteristics of insects and study their lifecycles.
May 9	Insects in forest and meadow habitats
May 16	Insects in a pond habitat

Did you know the Arboretum offers: Tadpole Troopers classes (ages 3-5), Naturalist Explorers (for 5 to 8 yrs.), birthday parties and camps.

PRIVATE GROUP REGISTRATION
Schedule a program exclusively for your group of 10 or more (ages 5-10) on the day of your choosing. Cost: $20 per student; Minimum student registration: 10
Groups of less than 10 are allowed, however minimum charge for private group class is $200.

Private Groups can choose from the following program options:

Explore & More - Explore the three habitats within the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center: pond, forest and meadow. Students will learn about ecosystems, food chains and the plants and animals within each habitat.

Pond Dipping - Learn what lives in and around the pond. Students will use pond dipping nets to collect invertebrates, fish and tadpoles to learn about food chains and organisms of the pond habitat.

Log Hotel - Learn what lives in and under a rotting log. Students will learn about nature's recyclers by rolling over logs to learn about decomposition and the organisms that make their habitat in a rotting log.

To schedule your group: Contact Naturalist Lois Davis (713-366-0423) to set up a date that suits your calendar and arrange payment.