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.
Water Quality Testing
Wednesday, October 6, 2021 @ 10:00am-12pm
Ages: 11-16
Location: River Center
Students will learn and recognize the factors that influence or change water quality in the Loxahatchee River. They will discover the challenges of estuary species affected by water quality changes (aquatic plants, oyster, juvenile fish, invertebrates, bacteria). Students will work in teams to conduct water quality testing and recognize parameters that identify changes and potential hazards. Through this lesson, students will understand importance of water resources and conservation.
A Day in the Life of the Indian River Lagoon
Thursday, October 7, 2021 @ 9:00am-1:00pm
Ages: 11-16
Location: Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area
The “A Day in the Life” program is an experiential science research program designed to help students develop an appreciation for and knowledge of the ecosystems being studied and to allow students to become stewards of the ecosystem’s water quality and natural resources. Students participating in “A Day in the Life of the Indian River Lagoon” simultaneously collect scientific data at sites all along the 156-mile stretch of the Indian River Lagoon. Students use hands-on field techniques to collect various chemical, physical, and biological parameters of the lagoon to determine how their local piece of the estuary fits into the larger ecosystem.
Estuary Exploration: Seine and Dip Netting Experience
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 @ 10:00am-12pm
Ages: 11-16
Location: Blowing Rocks Preserve
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.
Life Cycles and Animal Behaviors
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 @ 10:00am-12:00pm
Ages: 11-16
Location: River Center
Before animals can live in an aquarium, biologists must understand their needs and behaviors. Students will discover how the River Center staff maintain the health of the animals as well as the training and enrichment techniques used in the process. Students will be able to observe and interpret animal behaviors at the River Center. Understanding animal behavior helps us to maintain animals in aquariums and to protect their populations in their natural habitats.
Kayak Trip to Sawfish Bay and Fullerton Island
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 @ 10:00am-12pm
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. All equipment will be provided but interested participants should bring water shoes, sunscreen, and plenty of water! Our kayaks are tandem kayaks, or double seated, and students will be assigned a partner.
Aquarium Care and Fish Feeding
Wednesday, November 3, 2021 @ 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.***
Fishing Clinic: Fish Morphology and Animal Collection
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 @ 10:00am-12pm
Ages: 11-16
Location: River Center
Students will participate in a fishing clinic where they will learn the basics of fishing methods and tactics.
Skills practiced will include knot tying, fish identification, casting, and of course fishing! Fish caught during this program will allows students to understand the morphological differences between fish species and adaptations that allows them to survive. Students will also understand how the River Center’s FWC permits allow staff members to collect animals for educational purposes.