2026 Homeschool Programs at Sterling Nature Center

Join Naturalist Jim D’Angelo for a series of hands-on homeschool programs at Sterling Nature Center. Each month will explore a different science and nature topic through discussion, observation, experiments, and outdoor learning.

All programs begin at 11:00 AM and are held at the Sterling Nature Center.

Registration Information

Registration is required for all homeschool programs.

Please register each child who will be participating in the workshop that day. If you are bringing more than one child, each child needs to be registered separately. This helps us know how many children will be attending and allows us to prepare enough materials and supplies for everyone.

Please only register children who will be participating in the workshop.

We understand that plans can change. If you register for a program and find that you are unable to attend, please contact Christine at sncvolunteers2021@gmail.com as soon as possible. Letting us know that you will not be attending allows us to open that space for another child who would like to participate in the workshop.

Thank you for helping us make these programs available to as many homeschool families as possible.

Monarch Migration

September 17 at 11:00 AM
Activity: Monarch Tagging

Learn about the life cycle, migration patterns, and natural history of the monarch butterfly. We will also explore the tools scientists use to track monarchs, including the Monarch Watch tagging program.

Weather permitting, participants will head outside to collect data and tag monarch butterflies as part of this community science program.

Water Cycle & Watersheds

October 15 at 11:00 AM
Activity: Watershed Model

What do you know about water? Where does it come from, and where does it go after we use it?

We will explore the water cycle and learn what a watershed is and how watersheds affect water availability, movement, and quality. Participants will use a watershed model to see how water moves through the landscape.

The Secrets of Sand

November 19 at 11:00 AM
Activity: Sand Under the Microscope

Sand reflects the environment around it. By taking a closer look, we can learn what sand is made of, where it came from, and how it ended up where it is today.

Using magnifying glasses, microscopes, and other tools, participants will examine sand from around the world and see if they can uncover some of its secrets.

Weather vs. Climate

December 17 at 11:00 AM
Activity: Weather vs. Climate M&M Lab

What is weather? What is climate? And how are they connected?

Participants will take part in hands-on weather and climate experiments that simulate daily weather conditions. We will then analyze the data and use what we discovered to make a climate prediction.

Program Location

Sterling Nature Center
15730 Jensvold Road
Sterling, NY 13156

For questions, call 315-253-1100.