Science is critically important in the education of students. The study of the important issues facing us—such as water resources and quality, environmental preservation and restoration, and climate change—may enable today's students to address some of these issues in the future. However, students who are in homeschool programs have few opportunities to access labs, scientific equipment, and well-trained teachers.

Our Homeschool Science program is designed to address this need. Sierra Streams' educators and scientists provide standards-based instruction in the physical and life sciences in our classroom and lab at the Carriage House and in the outdoor "classroom" of Deer Creek. Students are more engaged in this kind of learning than are students in traditional classrooms because everything is hands-on, real, and relevant.

Outdoor science education has been shown to be critically important in children's emotional, physical, and intellectual development. It's a great way to counter the lure of electronic devices, video games, and TV. To learn more about the importance of hands-on outdoor science education, read this article by one of our in-house science educators (originally published in the Northern Gold Country Parents' Resource Guide).

Working together with SSI's scientists on current monitoring and restoration projects, students enrolled in our homeschool science courses use contemporary scientific research tools and techniques to collect and analyze scientific data outdoors and in our well-eqiuipped laboratory and classroom. Guided by our educators, students question, investigate, explore and discover. If your child loves to spend time outside exploring nature, seeking adventure, and participating in hands-on science experiments, our Homeschool Science Series will be a great fit!

• Wildlife and Wildflowers, grades 6 - 8
  Nine weeks beginning April 1
  Mondays 11-3
  This course consists of new material focused on local wildflowers; pollination; species interactions; bats, birds, and bugs; and amphibians and reptiles.  The class provides opportunities for data collection, service learning, and place-based education. Students are presented with local examples of how learning about nature has real-life and practical application. As with all of Sierra Streams Institute courses, participants receive in-depth instruction and hands-on field experience in a supportive, outdoor environment. This is a field course that requires carpool transportation to various outdoor classroom locations throughout Nevada County. Parents interested in driving for field trips are encouraged to sign up with Kelly Hickman (Education Coordinator). The cost is $225 for the nine-week session. Vendor partnerships with local charter schools are available. Sierra Streams accepts funds from Nevada City Charter, Grass Valley Charter, Union Hill Charter, Twin Ridges Homestudy, and Forest Charter.

For more information about the homeschool science education program, email Education Coordinator Kelly Hickman at kelly[at]sierrastreamsinstitute.org or call (530) 265-6090 ext. 207.

To register your child (or children) for this class, click here.

• Curriculum outline: Fall 2011, Living Systems. Describes the topics covered in the Fall, 2011, class for homeschool students grades 6 to 9.
• Class brochure: Science Enrichment Class. Describes the half-day science enrichment class Fish, Frogs, and Forests offered on November 16, 2011