
A drop-off program with lessons tailored to grades 6th-8th
We invite all middle schoolers in grades 6-8 to our Pathways program. With these workshops, home school students will design, build, and test new challenges. These challenges will help students explore career pathways across STEM disciplines.
Classes scheduled every 3rd Wednesday beginning in September:
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cost per session:
$35 nonmember
$30 member
Sign up via our events page or call 850-664-1261. Please bring a completed registration form with you to your child's first workshop. If you wish to register for multiple classes at once, please email website@ecscience.org with your completed registration form and the dates you'd like to sign up for to be invoiced.
Additional Information:
-While our staff will make every effort to accommodate any special needs of students, we are not trained behavior specialists. If you wish to discuss your child's needs or address any redirection strategies you use at home with our staff, please schedule a one-on-one conference with an educator at least a week before your child's next class.
-To schedule a conference, please call us at 850-664-1261 or email diane@ecscience.org.
-Please closely review the code of conduct page on the registration form as it outlines behavior expectations so that no students disrupt the class for the rest of the children learning during a session.
Cancellation & Refund Policy:
Cancellations made 48 hours or more in advance of the event date will incur a 10% administrative fee. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the event will incur a 30% administrative fee. There will be no refunds offered for missed classes without notice once class has occurred.
2025-2026 Workshop Topics
September 17th: Code and Conquer
Students will code Sphero robots to compete in bot battles and navigate through mazes. They'll use block coding and creative design to build robot armor, explore loops, and tackle real-world problem-solving with teamwork.
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Pathway: Computer Science / Robotics
October 15th: See the Unseen
Discover how scientists "see" beyond visible light. Explore ultraviolet, infrared, and X-rays while conducting fun light-based experiments and solving spectral mysteries.
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Pathway: Physics / Space & Earth Science
November 19th: Polymer Lab
Explore how polymers work by making slime and testing other cool materials you encounter every day. Through hands-on experiments, students will discover what makes polymers stretchy, sticky, and useful in science and technology.
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Pathway: Chemistry / Materials Science
December 17th: STEAM & Sparkle
Just in time for the holidays! Explore metallurgy, wire wrapping, and simple metal shaping techniques. Learn how chemistry and art blend in jewelry design using beads, metals, and basic tools.
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Pathway: Materials Science / Art + Chemistry
January 21st: Nano Explorers
Dive into the microscopic world! Learn how nanoparticles affect our environment and how ferrofluids behave. Participants will experiment with magnetism, fluid behavior, and ocean conservation tech.
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Pathway: Nanoscience / Environmental Science
February 18th: Love, Logic, & Leverage
Harness the power of water with Strawbees! Design and build working hydropower machines. Learn how engineers create sustainable energy solutions with creativity and problem-solving.
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Pathway: Environmental Engineering
March 25th: Rocket Lab*
Celebrate the March Equinox with a launch of your own! In this hands-on workshop, students will design and test paper rockets and custom launchers. Along the way, they'll explore Newton’s laws, propulsion, and the engineering behind real space missions.
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Pathway: Aerospace Engineering / Physics
April 15th: Lights, Camera, Science!
Get ready to mix creativity with curiosity. In this hands-on workshop, students will produce their own stop-motion animations that spotlight big science topics related to environmental conservation, just in time for Earth Day!
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Pathway: Digital Media / Physics
May 20th: The Great Balloon Battle
Using the same versatile Sphero robots from September, students will design creative protective shields and accessories for their bots as they navigate fun balloon-based challenges.
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Pathway: Robotics / Mechanical Engineering.
*Alternate date
Looking for more scientific adventures for your younger home school children? Check out our Homeschool Academy and Maker Days workshops!
PATHWAYS: MIDDLE SCHOOL WORKSHOPS
STEP UP SCHOLARSHIP INFO:
The museum is not a Step Up/PEP provider, but we can provide an invoice for reimbursement after payment is received. For the security and privacy of our staff, we are unable to provide individual diplomas or certificates; instead, instructor credentials are listed directly on the reimbursement invoice. Email us at website@ecscience.org if you are in need of a reimbursement invoice.