Homeschool Programs

The Indiana State Museum offers classes, events and group visits for homeschool families that integrate art, history and STEM through hands-on exploration, gallery tours, outdoor investigation and more. Learn about these opportunities below or download our Indiana State Museum Educator Guide.

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2 hour programs, ages 6 - 13

Dive into a world of investigation and discovery during these two-hour classes designed to stimulate an interest in science, art, history and culture. Adults join their learners for an interactive family experience. 

Class time: 10 a.m.-noon and 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Price: $15/youth, 25% discount for members

Programs occur on the first Monday and Tuesday of each month unless otherwise noted.

The museum is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays with the exception of some holidays. 

Half day programs, ages 6 - 13

Ready for a fun getaway? During this drop-off program, we’ll test your skills and expand your knowledge through engaging interactive activities.

Class time: 10 a.m.-1.p.m. Drop off starts at 9:45 a.m. and pick up is from 1-1:15 p.m.

Price: $30/youth, 25% discount for members

Registration deadline is three days before the program.

The museum is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays with the exception of some holidays.

  • Game, Strategy, Play

    October 28, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Test out your gaming skills in our board game and card game tournament. After playing, you’ll design, strategize and create a unique game of your own.

    Register
  • Cookies & Cocoa

    December 16, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Get in the holiday spirit as we make our own hot cocoa and design tasty treats to share with loved ones.

    Register
  • Artistic Design

    February 24, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Add color and beauty to your life as you learn how to design and create your own mosaic tile art. Take home your masterpiece!

    Register
  • Superhero Science

    April 28, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Celebrate national superhero day as you create your own superhero persona and conduct experiments inspired by superpowers. Test freeze power, invisibility and more!

    Register

Teen programs, ages 13 - 17

Investigate, discover and explore STEAM, history, and more hands-on experiences designed to stimulate and expand your interests. This is an optional drop-off program; youth can attend by themselves or one adult per group can attend with their youth.

Class time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Price: $18/youth, 25% discount for members

  • Art Movements

    September 16, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Explore rococo, surrealism and pop art movements. Find your inspiration for your own artistic creations, including rococo mirrors and more.

    Register
  • Up, Up and Away

    October 21, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Take your knowledge of aerodynamics to new heights as we innovate creations that take flight.

    Register
  • Native American Archeology

    November 18, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Celebrate Native American Heritage Month by learning about the rich history of Native American tribes that are indigenous to Indiana.

    Register
  • Special Effects

    December 9, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Delve into the world of prosthetics, cosmetics and digital effects as we go through the transformative process of bringing our own cinematic characters to life.

    Register
  • Fire & Ice

    January 13, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Ignite your passion for chemistry! From blazing exothermic reactions to chilling endothermic transformations, we will explore the mesmerizing world of science through thrilling experiments and hands-on learning.

    Register
  • Textile Artist

    February 10, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Let’s celebrate national embroidery month by designing and crafting with a variety of textiles. We will embroider hats, create Ankara jewelry and more.

    Register
  • Getting Around Town

    March 17, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Embark on a journey to discover innovative transportation solutions. Craft sleek pinewood cars, navigate open waters and more while learning the principles of logistics and design.

    Register
  • Science of Sports

    April 21, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Fuel your passion for sports while exploring the science behind the games. From dissecting the biomechanics of basketball shots to analyzing the physics of track and field sprints, we will blend hands-on experimentation with athletic insight for a deep look in the world of sports.

    Register
  • Medieval Science

    May 19, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Step into the thrilling world of ancient combat as we explore the physics behind the tools used during medieval times. Can you design and build a trebuchet that will knock down the castle walls?

    Register

Homeschool Discovery Day, Ages 6 - 17

Participate in hands-on and minds-on activities in our first ever Homeschool Discovery Day! Explore the galleries, create prototypes, visit with our special guests and discover Indiana’s connections to science, technology, engineering, art and math. Youth participants who register before August 15 will receive a special STEAM engineering kit to take home.

Date/Time: August 21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Price: $15/youth, $10/adult, 25% discount for members

Registration deadline for program is day of; seven days prior to receiving the kit.

Register
Field Trip

Homeschool Group Field Trips

Homeschool co-ops and homeschool educators and students may schedule a field trip and school program of your choice at the Indiana State Museum. Members of the Indiana Association of Homeschool Educators receive free daily admission with proof of membership. Groups of 10 or more qualify for the K-12 FREE field trip rate.

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Subscribe

Sign up for our educator newsletter to stay informed of the latest learning opportunities, experiences, educational programs and events at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites. In our subscription center, sign up for the “Educators” topic. There, you also can sign up to receive news about other upcoming programs.

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Indiana State Museum
home school

Educational Programs

Whether it’s at the museum, in your classroom or virtual, we offer hands-on, exploratory, and interactive programs on a variety of topics that provide your students a fun way to learn about Indiana’s people, places and things through art, history and STEM connections.

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How We're Staying Safe

  • OUR CLASSROOM

    • We allow up to 20 students per session. We ask that families limit the adults that come to one adult per family.
    • There are five tables in our classroom that allow the flexibility for students to work with other students or work alongside with their adult.
    •  There will be a mix of individual, partner and group activities.
  • CLEANING

    • Both hand sanitizer and soap and water will be available for families to use as their discretion.
    • Tables and chairs will be cleaned after every program.
    • All materials touched will be cleaned after the program.
    • We are using 80% isopropyl alcohol, Virex, and cleaning wipes to clean items after use.
  • ADDITIONALLY

    • Masks are recommended for visitors ages 2 and older and are provided to visitors who would like them.
    • The museum is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays. We will still visit the galleries as it connects with our program content. This allows us to be the only people in the galleries, beyond museum staff.