Camps and Classes

Get into potions, pollywogs, chemistry, dinosaurs, bugs, and much more through our classes and camps. They are all hands-on and age-specific, so that every child learns by doing, every day.

Winter Camp

This year’s Winter Camp is all about games. Investigate many types of games, invent a new game of your own, explore the exhibit Well Played, and engage in some of the Hall’s most popular activities. A day at the Hall is a great way to spend a winter day!

Little Explorers Workshops

Join us for our Little Explorers Workshops for kids ages 3–5. Your junior scientist will experiment, develop ideas, and work well with others as they learn and build new skills.

two young girls play inside of a cardboard box

Homeschool Classes

This is the place for kids to experiment, develop ideas, and work together as they learn and build new skills.

Registration Information

Review our registration policies for Winter Camps, Homeschool Classes & Little Explorers.

Summer Camps

Hall camps give children from 4 years old through 12th grade the opportunity to explore, investigate, discover, and invent. You can choose among camps that cover topics ranging from marine biology to robotics. You’re sure to find a camp that will appeal to your budding scientist.

Create a Weekday Class Series for Your Group

Schedule a special program for afterschool clubs, scout groups, or play groups. You can arrange workshops at custom times and dates on a wide range of topics for your group of 12–30 children. For more information on how to schedule a customized program for your group, call 510-642-5134, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Little Explorers Workshop

Making science toys

2018–19 Sessions Now Available!

Little Explorers programs provide fun opportunities to learn alongside your child. Adults discover ways in which they can support their child’s learning while engaging in fun activities that spark everyone’s curiosity.

$80 ($65 for Members)
New! $30 single sessions

*Class will only be held if minimum enrollment is met; single sessions may only be purchased in person on the day of class, space permitting.

Fall 2018 Series: Fur, Feathers & Scales

Three Saturdays: October 6, November 3 & December 1
10:00–11:00 a.m.

Three Wednesdays: October 10, November 7 & December 5 *No Longer Available

3:00–4:00 p.m.

Mice, birds, and snakes…oh my! Get up-close and personal with our cute, cuddly, and curious critters while learning about the biodiversity of animals and exploring their characteristics, habitats, and more!

Ages 3–5 with participating adult

Winter 2019 Series: Junior Engineers

Three Saturdays: January 5, February 2 & March 2
10:00–11:00 a.m.

Three Wednesdays: January 9, February 6 & March 6
3:00–4:00 p.m.

Step into the shoes of an engineer as you and your junior engineer work together to design, build, and innovate! This series features open-ended explorations of engineering concepts designed to spark curiosity and creative problem-solving.

Ages 3–5 with participating adult

Spring 2019 Series: Springtime Science

Three Saturdays: April 6, May 4 & June 1
10:00–11:00 a.m.

Three Wednesdays: April 10, May 8 & June 5
3:00–4:00 p.m.

Take your science learning to the great outdoors! Celebrate spring by joining us to explore the natural world around us. Through hands-on investigations, you and your young naturalist will observe, explore, and build on your understanding of the needs and characteristics of the living things that surround us.

Ages 3–5 with participating adult

*Programs are subject to cancellation if they do not meet minimum enrollment by one week before their start.

Registration Information

Review our registration policies for Little Explorers and other offerings for individuals.

We Want to Hear From You

We are interested in learning what you like about our classes and camps—and how we can serve you better. Please let us know what you think. Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions!

TechShops

Making science toys

*Programs are subject to cancellation if they do not meet minimum enrollment by one week before the start of the program.

Robot Petting Zoo

Sundays, Nov. 12–Dec. 10 (Nov. 12 & 19 and Dec. 3 & 10) Cancelled
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Grades 6–8

Design, build, and code your own robot in this beginner-friendly hackathon! Participants will work together to create an event for Hall visitors. Learn coding, electronics, and physical prototyping by building an interactive robotic pet to delight and inspire other museum visitors. We want you to join our team of robot zookeepers!

$175 Member price
$195 non-Member price

Arcade Design Team

Sundays, Nov. 12–Dec. 10 (Nov. 12 & 19 and Dec. 3 & 10)
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Grades 4–5

Have you ever wanted to make your own video game? Participants will work together to create an interactive playground made from games they program, using MaKey and the beginner-friendly programming language called Scratch. While exploring computer science, participants will run, jump, and crawl through an interactive obstacle course and will practice programming and circuitry. See how you can turn everyday objects into a fun interactive playground!

$175 Member price
$195 non-Member price

Homeschool Classes

2018–2019 Homeschool Classes

Third Thursday, once-monthly
2:00–3:15 p.m.
$30 ($25 for Members) includes Exhibit Experience
Ages 7–10

October 18 | Engineering Challenge: Hydraulics
Students will define problems and will then design and evaluate solutions in our Hydraulic Engineering Challenge. Students are introduced to engineering concepts and properties of fluids as they envision and piece together their own hydraulic contraptions.

November 15 | Build, Engineer, Invent! (*2:00–3:30 p.m.)
Step into the shoes of an engineer as you Build, Engineer, and Invent! This hands-on design challenge experience brings out the engineer in everyone. Explore building in two and three dimensions while discovering the design properties involved in constructing sturdy structures, bridges, roller coasters, and more! We supply the building materials; you bring the creativity!

January 17 | Engineering Challenge: Linkages
Students are introduced to engineering concepts as they explore the roles of force and motion in designing moving mechanisms. Using two-dimensional mechanical linkages, they create mechanisms with various inputs and outputs that move in distinct ways.

February 21 | Mystery Festival (*2:00–3:30 p.m.)
Welcome to our giant forensic laboratory! As you enter the room, you will view the scene of a “crime” and begin gathering and analyzing evidence to help “crack the case.” You will step into the shoes of a forensic scientist as you test for chemicals, uncover hidden fingerprints, test fibers, and more!

March 21 | Engineering Challenge: Urban Water
Students will dive into the field of water engineering as they design and build their own sustainable city landscape, and then test their city’s ability to retain stormwater, prevent flooding, and capture pollutants while considering ecological impacts.

April 18 | Environmental Detectives (*2:00–3:30 p.m.)
The Mystery: Fish and other wildlife are dying. The Investigation: Perform chemical and biological tests to determine what could be causing the tragedy. Intriguing hands-on test stations await as you gather clues, analyze data, and research the history of the area, to become an environmental detective.

May 16 | Engineering Challenge: Wind Turbines
Students employ engineering practices as they tackle a targeted design challenge of optimizing a wind turbine that will generate the most electrical current. This experience focuses on students defining problems, designing and evaluating solutions, and then taking the time to assess, discuss, and redesign as they innovate.

*90 minute sessions on November 15, February 21, and April 18.

Create a Class Series for Your Group

Schedule a program for your group of 12–30 children. You can arrange workshops at times and dates that suit your needs. Learn more about our Programs for Schools and Community Groups. To schedule, call 510-642-5134, Mon.–Fri., 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Registration Information

Review our registration policies for Homeschool Classes and other offerings for individuals.

Keep in Touch

We are interested to know what you think about our programs and how we can serve you better. Please tell us what you think. Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions!

Registration Information

Winter Camp Policies

The following policies help us allocate resources and provide the best learning opportunities for campers and families. Thank you for your understanding.

Cancellations
Winter Camp days are nonrefundable. Please make sure to check your schedule carefully and choose your camp days accordingly. No refunds or credits will be issued after your purchase.

Transfers
We recognize that plans change. Camp transfer requests can be made to the Registration Office and will be accepted based on availability. Transfers are not guaranteed.

Waitlists
Winter Camp days fill quickly. If you register for a camp day that is full, you will be placed on a wait list. As soon as space is available, you will be notified.

Late Registration
The registration deadline is December 15. Late registrations will be accepted based on availability. Late registrations are not guaranteed.

Camp Immunization Requirement
The State of California requires that up-to-date immunization and tetanus records be submitted for each camp participant. Proof in English of immunization needs to be submitted in advance in order to attend camp. Up-to-date immunization and tetanus documentation must be submitted for each registered child through Campdoc.com, three weeks before the child’s first day of camp. You will receive an email from CampDoc a few days after registering your child for camp. A physician or school immunization record is acceptable.

Please add register@campdoc.com as a “safe sender” to avoid accidental delivery to junk and spam folders. Refunds will not be issued to those who do not meet this requirement.

Immunization Schedule

Vaccines for children Ages 4–6

Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP):
4 doses before age 4. Dose #5 at 4–6 years of age

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella:
Dose #2 at 4–6 years of age

Varicella (Chicken Pox):
Dose #2 at 4–6 years of age

MMRV (alternative to separate MMR/Varicella dosing):
Dose #2 at 4–6 years of age

Hepatitis B:
Additional doses not needed if immunized with 3–4 doses appropriately spaced as an infant

Polio:
Dose #4 at age 4. Note: If dose #3 is given after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after dose #2, you may omit dose #4

Vaccines for children Ages 7–12

Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP):
Age 11 or 12 is recommended age for single dose

Measles, Mumps, Rubella:
None unless they have not had two prior doses

Varicella (Chicken Pox):
None unless they have not had two prior doses

MMRV (alternative to separate MMR/Varicella dosing):
None unless they have not had two prior doses

Hepatitis B:
Additional doses not needed if immunized with 3–4 doses as an infant.
If not immunized as an infant, alternative dosing schedule for ages 11–15 is two doses of Recombivax 4–6 months apart

Polio:
Needed only if not immunized previously or if child has traveled to designated foreign destinations.

Homeschool Classes & Little Explorers Policies

Homeschool Policies
Homeschool Classes are nonrefundable, unless the Hall cancels the program. Please choose your program carefully.

Only the enrolled child can attend. Programs do not have the capacity to accommodate nonenrolled siblings, friends, or relatives.

Adult attendance may be requested on the day of the program.

Little Explorer Policies
Little Explorers workshops are nonrefundable, unless the Hall cancels the program. Please choose your program carefully.

Only the enrolled child can attend. Programs do not have the capacity to accommodate nonenrolled siblings, friends, or relatives.

One participating adult is required to attend.

Cancellations
Payments for these programs are nonrefundable, unless the Hall cancels the program.

Summer Camp Policies

You may also be interested in our Summer Camp policies.

For questions, please contact the Registration Office:
Phone: 510-642-5134
Email: lhsreg@berkeley.edu
Fax: 510-643-0994

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Public Science Center

Fall Hours
Tuesday–Sunday,
and select holidays
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
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Berkeley, CA 94720
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Events Calendar

Amgen Biotech Experience Fall PCR PD, Oct 27
Happy Creepy "Hall-oween"!, Oct 27
50th Anniversary Birthday Weekend, Nov 10-12
Ten Minutes to Improving Science Achievement (FOSS, NSTA), Nov 15
FOSS for All Students—Access and Equity (FOSS, NSTA), Nov 15
Argumentation and Explanation in FOSS Grades (FOSS, NSTA), Nov 15

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Camps and Classes

Winter Camp

Little Explorers Workshops

Homeschool Classes

Registration Information

Summer Camps

Create a Weekday Class Series for Your Group

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