Looking for experiences and programming that supplement your homeschool science curriculum?
The Science Center of Iowa's Homeschool Programs bring science to life through inquiry, creativity, and hands-on discovery. Designed to complement your homeschool curriculum, our programs support the Iowa Core and Next Generation Science Standards while encouraging learners to ask questions, solve problems, and explore the world through STEM.
Through engaging, inquiry-based experiences led by SCI Innovation Lab educators, students build scientific thinking, engineering skills, and confidence while connecting with other homeschool families.
Workshops are held for students, ages 5-14 years old (Kindergarten - 8th grade), from 11:00 AM-Noon on Thursdays in October. Registration includes two concurrent workshops, one for youth and one for their parents/caregivers, exploring the day's theme.
Homeschool Science Series
Kindergarten–8th Grade
Thursdays | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Our Homeschool Science Series features five-week themed experiences that allow learners to investigate a topic in depth through hands-on experiments, engineering challenges, creative design, and collaborative problem-solving.
Parents and caregivers are invited to participate in a free concurrent workshop while students participate in the Homeschool Science Series.
October 2026 Workshops | Brain Games: Exploring the Science of You
Dive into the fascinating world of the human brain! In this hands-on homeschool series, learners will explore how the brain controls movement, memory, emotions, and decision-making. Through interactive experiments and real-world connections, participants will uncover how we think, learn, and adapt while discovering how to take care of their most powerful tool.
Weekly Topics
- October 1: Brain Basics: Your Body's Control Center
- October 8: Neurons & Signals: How Your Brain Communicates
- October 15: Senses & Perception: Can You Trust Your Brain?
- October 22: Memory & Learning: Building a Better Brain
- October 29: Your Changing Brain: Emotions, Decisions & Growth
Thursday, October 1, 2026 | Brain Basics: Your Body’s Control Center
What exactly is the brain, and how does it run your body? Learners will explore the major parts of the brain and nervous system through hands-on models and quick reaction-time challenges.
Thursday, October 8, 2026 | Neurons & Signals: How Your Brain Communicates
How does your brain send messages faster than a racecar? Participants will model neurons, simulate neural pathways, and test how quickly signals travel between the brain and body.
Thursday, October 15, 2026 | Senses & Perception: Can You Trust Your Brain?
Your brain interprets everything you see, hear, and feel—but it doesn’t always get it right! Learners will explore illusions and sensory experiments to discover how the brain constructs reality.
Thursday, October 22, 2026 | Memory & Learning: Building a Better Brain
Why do we remember some things and forget others? Through games and challenges, learners will explore how memories form and test strategies that help the brain learn more effectively.
Thursday, October 29, 2026 | Your Changing Brain: Emotions, Decisions & Growth
How does your brain shape who you are? Participants will explore emotions, decision-making, and neuroplasticity—discovering how experiences, habits, and practice can actually change the brain over time.
REGISTER FOR HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE SERIES
February 2027 Workshops | Think, Make, Improve
In this hands-on Homeschool Science Series, learners step into the role of scientists, engineers, and innovators. Each session invites participants to think deeply about how things work, make creative solutions using real tools and materials, and improve their ideas through testing and iteration. Along the way, learners explore how the brain supports problem-solving, creativity, and learning—building confidence as they design, experiment, and grow their ideas over time.
Weekly Topics
- January 28, 2027: Think Like an Innovator
- February 4: Simple Machines, Big Impact
- February 11: Materials Matter
- February 18: Design for People
- February 25: Future Makers
Thursday, January 28, 2027 | Think Like an Innovator
Have you ever wondered how ideas become real? Learners explore the engineering design process as they turn creative thinking into real solutions.
Thursday, February 4, 2027 | Simple Machines, Big Impact
Join us as we build and test machines using levers, pulleys, and wheels to see how simple tools can do powerful work.
Thursday, February 11, 2027 | Materials Matter
Learners test, build, and redesign as they discover how different materials affect strength, flexibility, and design success.
Thursday, February 18, 2027 | Design for People
Join us as we step into the role of designers, creating solutions that help people in meaningful and thoughtful ways.
Thursday, February 25, 2027 | Future Makers
Have you ever wondered what the future could look like? Learners explore coding and emerging technologies as they imagine and build what’s next.
Cost per student:
- Members = $16 or $75/package
- Non-Members = $26 or $125/package
Cost for parents: No additional cost for parents that register for the workshop*
* Only those that are registered, both students and parents, can attend the workshop. Children younger than 5 years old attending the workshop do not need to be registered. Registered participants receive admission to the Science Center of Iowa for the remainder of the day.
REGISTER FOR HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE SERIES
Advanced Homeschool Workshops (ages 11-18)
Ages 11–18
Thursdays | 1:00–2:00 PM
Designed for older homeschool learners seeking a deeper STEM experience, these workshops explore advanced science and engineering topics through project-based learning and authentic Innovation Lab experiences.
Workshops are held for students, ages 11-18 years old, from 1:00-2:00 PM on Thursdays in October. Registration includes one advanced workshop for youth.
October 2026 Advanced Workshops | Brain & Behavior
Explore the science of how your brain shapes the way you think, learn, feel, and grow. In this hands-on series, learners investigate neuroscience through experiments, challenges, and real-world connections focused on wellness and personal development. Participants explore topics like focus, stress, sleep, motivation, and emotional regulation while learning practical strategies that support healthy habits, resilience, and success in everyday life.
Weekly Topics
- October 1: Your Flexible Brain
- October 8: Focus & Attention Lab
- October 15: Stress, Emotions & the Brain
- October 22: Brain, Sleep & Performance
- October 29: Motivation & Mindset
Thursday, October 1, 2026 | Your Flexible Brain
Discover how the brain changes and grows through experience. Learners explore neuroplasticity, habit formation, and strategies that support learning, resilience, and long-term growth.
Thursday, October 8, 2026 | Focus & Attention Lab
What helps us concentrate—and what distracts us? Through hands-on experiments and challenges, learners investigate attention, multitasking, memory, and practical techniques for improving focus.
Thursday, October 15, 2026 | Stress, Emotions & the Brain
Explore how the brain and body respond to stress and emotion. Learners examine the science behind emotional regulation while practicing healthy strategies for managing challenges and building resilience.
Thursday, October 22, 2026 | Brain, Sleep & Performance
Why does sleep matter so much? Learners investigate how sleep, movement, nutrition, and routines affect memory, mood, reaction time, and overall brain performance.
Thursday, October 29, 2026 | Motivation & Mindset
How do goals, confidence, and self-talk shape success? Learners explore the neuroscience of motivation, growth mindset, and decision-making while developing tools to support personal growth and healthy habits.
REGISTER FOR ADVANCED HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE SERIES
February 2027 Advanced Workshops | Robotics & Innovation
Explore coding, robotics, and engineering through advanced hands-on challenges designed for curious innovators. Learners collaborate to solve problems, program robotic systems, and investigate how emerging technologies interact with the world around us.
Thursday, January 28, 2027 | Autonomous Systems Lab
Investigate how robots sense, respond, and make decisions. Learners program robotic systems using sensors, logic, and iterative testing to complete engineering challenges and missions.
Thursday, February 4, 2027 | Collaborative Robotics Studio
Work like a real engineering team! Learners use coding, robotics, and shared problem-solving strategies to tackle multiplayer challenges in both physical and virtual environments.
Thursday, February 11, 2027 | Smart Machines
Explore how intelligent technologies interact with the world around them. Through robotics, automation, and coding activities, learners investigate how machines gather information and respond to data.
Thursday, February 18, 2027 | Innovation Engineering
Design, prototype, test, and improve real solutions to open-ended engineering challenges. Learners practice the full engineering design process while using robotics tools and creative problem-solving.
Thursday, February 25, 2027 | Future Tech Missions
Step into the role of a future innovator. Learners complete hands-on robotics missions inspired by transportation, space exploration, environmental science, and emerging technologies.
Cost per student:
- Members = $16 or $75/package
- Non-Members = $26 or $125/package
Cost for parents: No additional cost for parents that register for the workshop*
*Only those that are registered, both students and parents, can attend the workshop. Children younger than 5 years old attending the workshop do not need to be registered. Registered participants receive admission to the Science Center of Iowa for the remainder of the day.
Class Logistics & Safety Precautions
Homeschool Programs take place in person at the Science Center of Iowa.
Registration includes admission to the Science Center for the remainder of the day. Only registered participants may attend workshops. Children younger than five years old accompanying registered participants do not need to register for the concurrent parent workshop.
Questions?
Contact the Innovation Team at innovationlab@sciowa.org.