Homeschool & Enrichment

Burpee Museum offers enrichment classes for homeschool students, groups, or any learners seeking additional STEM educational opportunities.

Eligibility:

• Homeschool programs are open to all children ages 6 to 14.

Registration & Payment:

• Preregistration is Required
• Class enrollment is first-come, first-served and subject to capacity limits to maintain an optimal student-teacher ratio.
• Payment is required at the time of registration to secure a spot.
• Registration for each homeschool class closes on the Friday before the class at 5:00 PM to allow time for material preparation.
• If payment is not received, the registration will not be finalized.

Preregistration:

Preregistration may be done online through Eventbrite or by calling Burpee’s visitor services department (815-965-3433).

Single Class Enrollment:

• $10 for Homeschool/Cohort Museum Members
• $12 for General Museum Members
• $16 for Non-Members

Save with Multi-Class Enrollment:

• $70 for Homeschool/Cohort Museum Members
• $77 for General Museum Members
• $105 for Non-Members

Preregristration is required for mult-class package before the first class begins.

Financial Assistance:

• Families experiencing financial hardship may inquire about available scholarships by contacting Burpee Museum before the registration deadline. 

• Burpee welcomes all students
• If a student requires disability-related accommodations, please contact the museum at least two weeks in advance to arrange appropriate support.

For questions or assistance, please reach out to the Burpee Museum team.

At Burpee Museum, we strive to create an engaging, respectful, and safe learning environment for all homeschool students, educators, and families. Our hands-on, inquiry-based approach to science is designed to inspire curiosity and discovery. To ensure a positive experience for all participants, we have established the following behavioral expectations for students, parents, and educators.

What We Expect from Our Homeschool Participants

We Are Kind

• We treat our fellow students, educators, and museum staff with kindness and respect.
• We listen when others are speaking and participate in discussions in a respectful manner.
• We help create a welcoming environment where everyone feels encouraged to learn and explore.

We Are Respectful

• We respect museum property, exhibits, and learning materials. Many exhibits are hands-on, but they must be handled with care.
• We use indoor voices in classrooms and exhibit spaces to ensure a calm learning environment.
• We respect the personal space and learning time of others.
• We clean up after ourselves in classrooms, workshops, and shared spaces.

We Are Safe

• We walk in all museum spaces—no running, climbing, or roughhousing.
• We stay with our group and follow instructor directions.
• We handle all museum objects and materials appropriately.
• We are mindful of younger learners and students of all abilities, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

Unacceptable Behaviors

While we encourage positive behavior, there are certain actions that cannot be tolerated, as they disrupt the experience for others or compromise safety.

The following behaviors will not be accepted:

• Disrespectful or disruptive behavior toward museum staff, instructors, or fellow students.
• Damaging or misusing museum exhibits, property, or learning materials.
• Behavior that prevents other students from learning or interferes with the instructor’s ability to teach.
• Unsafe actions, including running, pushing, throwing objects, or not following safety instructions.
• Failure to follow classroom and museum rules after reasonable warnings.

Burpee Museum staff will provide appropriate warnings and communicate concerns with students and parents. However, if a student repeatedly violates behavioral expectations, Burpee reserves the right to revoke their registration privileges for future homeschool classes and programs.

Our goal is to create an inclusive and enriching learning environment where every student has the opportunity to engage with science, history, and discovery. We appreciate your partnership in fostering a respectful, safe, and enjoyable experience at Burpee Museum!