HMNS
Class Info
Join us at the Houston Museum of Natural Science one Wednesday each month to explore science, nature, and history in interactive science labs which feature specimens, artifacts, and laboratory equipment. Classes vary in topics depending on ages, but include wildlife, biology, and time labs. The older class will also participate in dissection labs. All classes meet at 11am and last for an hour.
OCTOBER 1, 2025
K-2: Earth Science Lab – Layers of the Earth: Journey to the center of the earth? Of course! We’re going to explore everything from the core to the crust and all those layers in between.
3-5: Time Lab – Medieval Europe: Forts, Feudalism and Famine, Oh My! Let’s take off the rose-colored glasses and see what life was really like in Medieval Europe.
6+: Dissection Lab – Spiny Yet Spineless: Enter the underwater world of an interesting echinoderm, the sea urchin, as you study these prickly wonders of the ocean. (Includes sea urchin dissection)
NOVEMBER 19, 2025
K-2: Time Lab – Vikings: Boatbuilders, farmers, and fierce warriors are but a few descriptors for the amazing people known as the Vikings. Experience Viking culture and activities in this hands-on class.
3-5: Techno-Science Lab – Electricity: Explore current, voltage and resistance as you build circuits.
6+: Techno-Science Lab – Electricity: Explore current, voltage and resistance as you build circuits.
DECEMBER 10, 2025
K-2: Techno-Science Lab – Cool Chemistry: Check out chemical changes and find out what makes them happen.
3-5: Techno-Science Lab – Cool Chemistry: Check out chemical changes and find out what makes them happen.
6+: Wildlife Lab – Polyp-palooza!: Often confused for plants or rocks, coral beds are full of fascinating animals working together to support an incredible amount of lifeforms. Pay these polyps the attention they deserve in this wildlife lab.
JANUARY 14, 2026
K-2: Techno-Science Lab – Soap Science: Investigate bubbles, emulsification, and soap films.
3-5: Biology Lab – What’s In Your Water: Why is water quality important? Learn why as you test pH and go over the nitrogen cycle in various samples of water to figure out what should and should not be in different types of water.
6+: CSI Lab – Fingerprinting: Discover the techniques crime scene investigators use to collect and examine the evidence. In addition to the classroom presentation, this hands-on class offers you the opportunity to practice lifting fingerprints and basic fingerprint identification in order to better understand the science.
FEBRUARY 18, 2026
K-2: Earth Science Lab – Bright Side of the Moon: Explore the phases of the moon and find out what causes it to wax and wane over the course of a month.
3-5: Wildlife Lab – Scat/Tracking: Get the scoop on poop and a knack for tracks as you study the evidence wildlife leaves behind.
6+: Wildlife Lab – Scat/Tracking: Get the scoop on poop and a knack for tracks as you study the evidence wildlife leaves behind.
MARCH 25, 2026
K-2: Wildlife Lab – One of these Things: Study characteristics of living things and sort them into their taxonomic groups; then meet some of the animals you sorted!
3-5: Time Lab – Japan at a Glance: Learn about the history and culture of early Japan, from Shoguns to Samurai and sushi.
6+: Dissection Lab – Raining Ranids: A classic example of vertebrate anatomy, the frog still has a few surprises in store. Find out what’s weird about these lean bug-eating machines. (Includes frog dissection)
APRIL 22, 2026
K-2: Earth Science Lab – Layers of the Ocean: Take a journey into the depths of the ocean! Learn about the layers of the ocean and the pressures it creates for the living and nonliving things in each layer.
3-5: Techno-Science Lab – Bridges: Build models and investigate forces to determine what makes a sturdy structure.
6+: Techno-Science Lab – Bridges: Build models and investigate forces to determine what makes a sturdy structure.
You can join us at any point in the school year! After initial registration you will need to sign up for each month separately. This can be done on the calendar.