There are many ways for homeschooling families to learn at the Hatfield Visitor Center. You can explore the Visitor Center's exhibits on your own, attend one of our public programs, arrange a private class for your homeschool group and attend Homeschool Day events in the fall and spring.

Fall 2023 Family Homeschool Events

The Oregon Sea Grant Marine Education Program will be hosting several exciting, hands-on homeschool events at Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon this Fall. We will be offering a variety of age-specific programs and we kindly ask that you review the options listed below and determine the program that works best for your family’s age-range (adults/guardians will register for the program as a family unit). Space is limited for each program, so be sure to register as soon as possible in order to participate in your preferred programming. 

IMPORTANT LOGISTICS:

  • Age-specific homeschool programming will be held in-person at Hatfield Marine Science Center from 10 am - 2:30 pm on three separate dates:
    • September 27 - “Mollusc Madness” - Pre-K to 3rd Grade 
    • October 5 - “Marine Mammals” - Grades 2nd - 7th 
    • October 30  - “Ocean Exploration” - Grades 6th - 12th 
  • Each event includes 2-3 hours of hands-on STEM-themed activities, a break for lunch, craft time, and visitor center exploration. All visitor center fees for each participant are included in the registration fee.
  • Cost:
    • $25 per person (adults and children) 
    • Please note there are no refunds or credits for no-shows; credits are available for last minute cancelations due to illness. Please contact the Marine Education Coordinator if your plans change and you can no longer attend.
  • Registration: 
    • Families will register for one program to take as a family unit. Please find the program that best fits the age ranges of your children. It is ok if your children fall outside the target age ranges, you may still register for the program that best fits your families ages. All parents/guardians must accompany their children throughout the entire event.
    • During registration, please register an adult/guardian first (who will serve as the primary adult). You will have the opportunity to add all additional adults and children individually as you progress through the registration process. 
    • Registration will close one week prior to the scheduled event.
    • If your preferred program fills quickly, please add your family to the waitlist.You are encouraged to register for your second choice in the meantime. Feel free to reach out to the Marine Education Coordinator ([email protected]; 541-867-0233) with any questions or concerns regarding the waitlist and/or program preference. Staff will be out of the office taking a post summer programming break until September 18th. Your requests will be processed in order of receipt upon their return.
  • Submitting Payment:
    • All payments must be received one week in advance of your scheduled program. If your payment is not received by the payment deadline, we will cancel your registration and move to the next student on the waitlist.
    • Payments can be made via credit card at any time through our online registration system. The third-party site that is used to process online credit card payments will be down for maintenance on the following dates: September 22 and October 20. If you try to register on one of these dates, you may still submit your registration and reserve your spot(s) by selecting the "mail a check" option on the payment tab and pay with a credit card when the site is back again. 
  • Frequently Asked Questions:
    • What if one of my children is outside the target age range for the event? The event content is going to target an age range. If one of your children is outside of the target age range, you may still register your family for the program. The intent is for families to choose one class that best fits their children's ages and to participate in the classes as a family unit.
    • Can I register my family for more than one class? We are trying to reach as many homeschool families as we can. If you are interested in registering for more than one class, please contact the Marine Education Coordinator ([email protected]; 541-867-0233) and we will add you to a separate list. If space allows, you will be contacted closer to the registration close date of the desired program. Staff will be out of the office taking a post summer programming break until September 18th. Your requests will be processed in order of receipt upon their return.
    • Can my older child participate in the classes alone? We ask families to register for programming as a family unit. All minors must be accompanied by an adult during the entire event. 

Age-Specific Homeschool Events

Wednesday, September 27th, 10 am - 2:30 pm
Registration closed
 

 

During this in-person homeschool program, families with predominantly younger children (note: children 3 years and under are free) will engage with Oregon Sea Grant Marine Education staff and explore the magnificent qualities of molluscs - from the incredible camouflage techniques of the giant pacific octopus to the burrowing strategies of clams. 

 

Hands-on Activities Include:

Amazing Octopuses - Get an up-close view of our resident Giant Pacific Octopus on exhibit! Family groups will learn about octopus anatomy and track common behaviors through an engaging data collection activity. What are common octopus behaviors and how do they compare between octopuses in the wild versus in captivity? Join us and find out! 

Clamming it Up  - During this hands-on class, families will have the opportunity to explore a sandy environment in one of our wet labs as they dig for and discover a variety of clams and other bivalves. Participants will explore concepts such as classification, sampling, data, and the importance of clams for the local economy and coastal food webs.

Crafts and Visitor Center Exploration - All families will have the opportunity to engage in mollusc-themed crafts, including squid printing! Participants are encouraged to bring bags, pillowcases, and other household items for printing. Materials for other crafts will be provided for participants to use on-site or families are welcome to take all materials for continued fun and learning at home. Families will also have the option to explore the visitor center at the end of our program. All visitor center fees are included in the registration fee.

Thursday, October 5, 10 am - 2:30 pm
Registration closed

 

During this in-person homeschool program, families with mixed ages will engage with Oregon Sea Grant Marine Education staff and explore the magnificent world of marine mammals. Several marine mammals call the Oregon Coast home, and participants will spend time exploring the adaptations that enable them to survive.

 

Hands-on Activities Include:

Assemble a Whale - In this hands-on program, families will learn about the characteristics that define baleen and toothed whales as they work together to assemble a 16 foot long Cuvier’s beaked whale skeleton. Participants will investigate real whale teeth, baleen, and other exciting biofacts. 

Insulation Inquiry  - Swimming in the ocean can be c-c-cold! Find out how blubber, fat, fur, feathers, and other behaviors help marine mammals and seabirds stay at the right temperature. Participants will conduct an experiment and experience first “hand” the effects of marine mammal and seabird adaptations.

Crafts and Visitor Center Exploration - All families will have the opportunity to engage in marine mammal-themed crafts! Materials for other crafts will be provided for participants to use on-site or families are welcome to take all materials for continued fun and learning at home. Families will also have the option to explore the visitor center at the end of our program. All visitor center fees are included in the registration fee.

Monday, October 30th, 10 am - 2:30 pm
This program is full, add to waitlist!
Registration closes on Friday, October 20, 2023

 

During this in-person homeschool program, families with predominantly older children will engage with Oregon Sea Grant Marine Education staff and learn how researchers are using cutting edge technology and equipment to explore the ocean. This event will also include a LIVE ship-to-shore interaction with the crew of the Exploration Vessel Nautilus!

 

Hands-on Activities Include:

Nautilus LIVE - Participants will connect LIVE with crew aboard the Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus. Families will hear about real-time research efforts, how E/V Nautilus is contributing to on-going seafloor mapping efforts, and be able to engage in a live Q&A with the ship’s crew! 

Build a Hydraulic Arm - Learn about the technology and state-of-the-art equipment that research vessels have to assist researchers on oceanographic cruises, including hydraulic arms and lifts that help launch scientific equipment. Can you engineer a hydraulic arm to launch and recover

scientific packages found in our wet labs? Join us to find out.

Wet Maps - After hearing how E/V Nautilus and crew are contributing to seafloor mapping efforts across the globe, families will engage in a fun, hands-on mapping activity of their own! Participants will continue to learn about multibeam sonar as well as other seafloor mapping technologies as they make their own topographic maps. 

Visitor Center Exploration - Families will also have the option to explore the visitor center at the end of our program. This will include a guided exploration of our Augmented Reality Sand Table on display in our center. Participants will be able to make a mountain out of sand and see how the topographical projection changes in real time. All visitor center fees are included in the registration fee.

General Health and Safety Expectations

We are looking forward to providing an exciting and safe learning experience for all participants. We kindly ask that you review and comply with all policies and expectations outlined below. You will offer consent during the registration process.  

General Policies and Daily Expectations:

  • Face coverings and masks are welcome, but not required. We fully support participants and staff may choose to wear a face covering as a personal preference. 
  • Educators and participants will be encouraged to wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60-95%) often and will be required to wash their hands prior to eating lunch. 
  • Prior to leaving your home location:
    • We ask that you conduct a health check of all program participants (adults and children) for symptoms indicative of any illness prior to joining us for your programming. 
    • If any participants are experiencing any of the following symptoms, we kindly ask that your child/student does not participate in the in-person event:
      • Cough
      • Fever (over 100.4°F)
      • Chills
      • Muscle pain
      • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
      • Sore throat
      • Nausea
  • If you or anyone in your household has tested positive or been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within 5 days of the program date, we kindly ask that you and your family not attend. Participants with COVID-19 symptoms should stay home for at least 5 days after illness starts and until 24 hours after fever is gone, without use of fever-reducing medicine, and COVID-19 symptoms have resolved.
  • If a participant or staff member exhibits or develops a new cough (e.g., unrelated to pre-existing conditions such as asthma), fever, shortness of breath or other primary symptoms of COVID-19 during the day/class session, they will be separated from others and sent home as soon as possible.
  • If you need to cancel, please contact the Marine Education Coordinator ([email protected]; 541-867-0233) as soon as possible and we would be happy to credit your fees for future use. Credits will not be administered for no-show participants. 

We are committed to providing fun in-person programming that maximizes safety for staff and participants. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

Homeschool Day Parent Feedback:

"The teachers are stellar, the experiments are fresh and new, and the curriculum appeals to all our family in different ways . . . Thank you for a high quality experience. We will be back again for sure!"

"The teachers were knowledgeable, organized, focused and made the learning fun. It was an excellent day! I would definitely recommend this to other home school families!"