Homeschool Workshops
2021-2022 School Year (September 2021 – May 2022)
Ages 7 – 10
10:30 am-12:00 pm
Price: $3 per student
Interested participants are required to register and pre-pay online or by calling 561-743-7123.
Space is limited to 20 students, drop-off only, and held at the River Center or at Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (see location below).
Ages 11 – 16
10:00 am-12:00 pm
Price: $10 per student
This new 6-week series for our older homeschool students ages 11-16 and include river research, field experiences, and aquarium education.
Interested participants are required to register and pre-pay online or by calling 561-743-7123.
Space is limited to 14 students, drop-off only, and held at various locations in Jupiter.
Ages 7-10
Sea Urchin Lab: Learn from Echinoderms
Friday, September 24, 2021 @ 10:30am-12pm
Ages: 7-10
Location: River Center
Students get an introduction into the scientific method and discussion on observation driven experiments using live animals. Students will participate in an activity to learn how sea urchins survive in their environment; compare them to other aquatic species, and the adaptations necessary for their survival.
Bat Blitz
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 7-10
Location: Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area
Students will be able to explain the role of bats in an ecosystem and impacts to that ecosystem if bats were no longer present. They will interpret data from simulations in order to formulate hypothesis and predict future outcomes. We will also discover bat research that has been conducted at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area by PBSC students to record what kinds of bat species are found in the area using meters that record high frequency sounds.
Insect Inspection: Busy Bees, Busy Blooms
Friday, November 19, 2021 @ 10:30am-12pm
Ages: 7-10
Location: River Center
Student will understand that wildlife ranges from small to large organisms and exists in a variety of forms. They will learn about insects and recognize that all insects have the same basic body parts, but there are differences in shape, color, and size. Students will describe the process of pollination and identify the role wildlife, particularly bees, play in that process.
Habitat Conservation: Oh Deer!
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 @ 10:30am-12pm
Ages: 7-10
Location: Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area
Students learn what a habitat is and what resources animals need to survive. They will understand the struggle animals face in their fight for survival. Students will play a game that explains the relationship between predators and prey, carrying capacity, as well as habitat protection, human impacts, and restoration.
Reptiles of the Loxahatchee
Thursday, January 6, 2022 @ 10:30am-12:00pm
Ages: 7-10
Location: River Center
Reptiles are considered eco-enrichers and play a significant role in the Loxahatchee River ecosystem. Reptiles such as alligators, freshwater turtles, and snakes have unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in our swamps and marshes. Students will get up close with some of the resident reptiles, learn about their distinctive characteristics, and discover what makes them unique.
Mangrove Adaptations
Friday, February 11, 2022 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 7-10
Location: River Center
Students will identify mangrove species, adaptations, and the vital role they play in Florida’s ecosystem. They will understand the energy flow throughout the estuary including the mangrove producers, juvenile fish nurseries, predatory food supply, and decomposers. Students will compete in a mangrove tug-of-war relating to mangrove estuaries, ocean energy, and human influences.
Shark Senses and Habitats
Tuesday, March 22, 2022 @ 10:30am-12pm
Ages: 7-10
Location: River Center
Students learn about special shark adaptations and understand that sharks have two additional senses. Students will also explore the River Center’s Jupiter Shark Exploration exhibit to learn about different local species, biology, and what makes them top predators. Students will learn about shark habitats in the Loxahatchee including estuaries, coral reefs, and the open ocean to understand why it is important to protect habitats locally and world-wide.
Birds of Prey: How many osprey live in this estuary?
Thursday, April 14, 2022 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 7-10
Location: Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area
Students will examine data to understand the inner workings of an ecosystem. They will interpret data of animal populations and limiting factors that allow it to change over time. Students will learn about local birds of prey populations and their food sources and describe the interdependence of organisms within an ecosystem.
Water Cycle
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 @ 10:30am-12pm
Ages: 7-10
Location: River Center
River Center staff use student volunteers as water molecules to demonstrate evaporation, condensation, precipitation, percolation, and runoff. This activity will introduce students to the various steps of the water cycle and will help them make connections between the water cycle and all living things.
Setting up an Aquarium: The Nitrogen Cycle
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 @ 10:00am-12:00pm
Ages: 11-16
Location: River Center
Water is as vital to fish as air is to land animals. Fish need clean, filtered water to survive. To understand what is required to keep an aquarium environment healthy, you need to understand the nitrogen cycle, which is sometimes referred to as “biological filtration.” Students will understand that the nitrogen cycle is what keeps the chemical balance of water at life-sustainable levels for plants and fish. They will also create an aquarium design utilizing all aspects of aquarium health for animal husbandry.
Wastewater Treatment Facility Tour: A Biological Process
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 @ 10:00am-12:00pm
Ages: 11-16
Location: 2500 Jupiter Park Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458
This program is held at the Loxahatchee River District’s wastewater treatment facility to learn about the biological process to create irrigation quality water for the community. Students will investigate the nitrogen cycle, perform water quality testing and discover new industrial technology that is used on a community scale. Students will recognize the importance of water reclamation in relation to water conservation.
Kayak Trip to Fullerton Island
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 @ 10:00am-12:00pm
Ages: 11-16
Location: River Center
Students will be partnered up to paddle along the Intracoastal on this beautiful and scenic excursion. We will focus on different estuary habitats including mangroves, oyster reefs, and seagrass beds. Students will identify mangrove species, adaptations, and the vital role they play in Florida’s ecosystem. They will understand the energy flow throughout the estuary including the mangrove producers, juvenile fish nurseries, predatory food supply, and decomposers. Our kayaks are tandem kayaks, or double seated, and students will be assigned a partner.
Estuary Exploration: Seine and Dip Netting Experience
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 @ 10:00am-12:00pm
Ages: 11-16
Location: 574 South Beach Road, Hobe Sound, FL 33455
Students will explore the estuary at Blowing Rocks Preserve by wading in coastal waters utilizing scientific collection techniques to gather live aquatic animals. Students will also learn about mangroves, food chains, and the Jupiter Aquatic Preserve’s unique and special ecosystems.
Fish Dissection Lab
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 @ 10:00am-12:00pm
Ages: 11-16
Location: River Center
Using proper dissection tools and techniques, students will be working in pairs performing a scientific dissection of a fish. Students will get hands-on experience with understanding the anatomy, characteristics, and adaptations of common fish. Contact the River Center directly for reservations and more details.
Aquarium Care and Fish Feeding
Wednesday, April 27, 2022 @ 10:00am-12:00pm
Ages: 11-16
Location: River Center
Care of our aquarium animals is one of the River Center’s top priority as an environmental education facility. Students will learn the skills of caring, cleaning, and maintaining our aquariums for the benefit of the animals. They will participate in food preparation, fish feeding, and observe reptile training and care. ***Students with allergies to fish and shellfish should not signup because they will be handling squid, shrimp, fish, etc.***