Little Explorer’s Club
Ages 3-5
These fun-filled 45-minute sessions guide children through a STEAM topic with Museum Science Educators. Each exploratory session includes story time, an activity or experiment, artifact or animal encounters, and a craft. Little Explorer’s Club take place twice per month. Registration in advance is highly encourage as spots are limited.
$5 GENERAL ADMISSION
FREE FOR MEMBERS
Join us on a fun adventure to learn all about rocks! In this hands-on class, young explorers will discover the three types of rocks—igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic—and how the rock cycle transforms them. Through interactive activities, we’ll uncover the secrets of how rocks are made and changed over time.
Class is at 10:15 am
March 11, 13, 15
Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of crystals! In this fun, hands-on class, little explorers will discover how crystals form and grow through exciting experiments and playful activities. We'll explore the process of crystallization and watch as sparkling shapes come to life
Class is at 10:15 am
March 25, 27, 29
STEAM Camps
Preschool Learners (ages 3-5)
Our STEAM Camps provide an engaging, hands-on learning experience for potty-trained students ages 3 to kindergarten-ready. With small class sizes of just 15 students and 2 educators, we ensure a nurturing environment with individualized attention. Children who have attended kindergarten must enroll in our SciFun Camps, which offer more advanced STEAM activities tailored for older learners.
Jump into a week of exploration and discovery this March at our "Spring Into Science" camp! Young scientists will dive into hands-on STEAM activities, exciting experiments, and creative projects designed to spark curiosity and foster a love for learning. From nature-based investigations to fun engineering challenges, this camp promises adventure, innovation, and plenty of springtime fun!
Students are required to be fully potty trained and independently using the bathroom.
STEAM Camps are drop-off camps for students ages 3-5. Camp sessions run Monday-Friday, 8 am to 3:00 pm (We are happy to offer flexible pick-up).
$300 Non-Members
$270 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you, this is different than the SciFun Camp discount code)
March 17th (Monday) - March 21st (Friday)
Blast off to explore space! We’ll make astronaut gear, learn about planets, and soar into the stars. Get ready for an adventure that’s out of this world!
Students are required to be fully potty trained and independently using the bathroom.
STEAM Summer Camps are drop-off camps for students ages 3-5. Camp sessions run Monday-Friday, 8 am to 3:00 pm (flexible pick-up available).
$300 Non-Members
$270 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you, this is different than the SciFun Camp discount code)
June 2nd (Monday) - 6th (Friday)
Explore the amazing human body! From brains to bones, we’ll uncover how each part works and keeps us moving. It’s all about YOU!
Students are required to be fully potty trained and independently using the bathroom.
STEAM Summer Camps are drop-off camps for students ages 3-5. Camp sessions run Monday-Friday, 8 am to 3:00 pm (flexible pick-up available).
$300 Non-Members
$270 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you, this is different than the SciFun Camp discount code)
June 9th (Monday) - 13th (Friday)
All aboard for a week of wheels, wings, and engines! We’ll build, explore, and discover all things that go—cars, planes, and trains galore!
Students are required to be fully potty trained and independently using the bathroom.
STEAM Summer Camps are drop-off camps for students ages 3-5. Camp sessions run Monday-Friday, 8 am to 3:00 pm (flexible pick-up available).
$300 Non-Members
$270 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you, this is different than the SciFun Camp discount code)
June 16th (Monday) - 20th (Friday)
Let’s go camping! Set up tents, tell stories around the “campfire,” and go on a nature hunt—for a wonderful adventure!
Students are required to be fully potty trained and independently using the bathroom.
STEAM Summer Camps are drop-off camps for students ages 3-5. Camp sessions run Monday-Friday, 8 am to 3:00 pm (flexible pick-up available).
$300 Non-Members
$270 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you, this is different than the SciFun Camp discount code)
June 16th (Monday) - 20th (Friday)
Step back in time with dinosaurs! Dig for fossils, learn about giant creatures, and explore the Jurassic world.
Students are required to be fully potty trained and independently using the bathroom.
STEAM Summer Camps are drop-off camps for students ages 3-5. Camp sessions run Monday-Friday, 8 am to 3:00 pm (flexible pick-up available).
$300 Non-Members
$270 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you, this is different than the SciFun Camp discount code)
June 16th (Monday) - 20th (Friday)
Mix, blend, and discover the magic of colors! From rainbows to patterns, we’ll explore how colors brighten up our world.
Students are required to be fully potty trained and independently using the bathroom.
STEAM Summer Camps are drop-off camps for students ages 3-5. Camp sessions run Monday-Friday, 8 am to 3:00 pm (flexible pick-up available).
$300 Non-Members
$270 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you, this is different than the SciFun Camp discount code)
June 16th (Monday) - 20th (Friday)
Jump into the world of coding and robots! We’ll build, solve, and bring creations to life with beginner screen-free coding skills.
Students are required to be fully potty trained and independently using the bathroom.
STEAM Summer Camps are drop-off camps for students ages 3-5. Camp sessions run Monday-Friday, 8 am to 3:00 pm (flexible pick-up available).
$300 Non-Members
$270 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you, this is different than the SciFun Camp discount code)
June 16th (Monday) - 20th (Friday)
Dive into ocean fun! From fish to coral, we’ll explore marine life and create splashy, sea-inspired crafts.
Students are required to be fully potty trained and independently using the bathroom.
STEAM Summer Camps are drop-off camps for students ages 3-5. Camp sessions run Monday-Friday, 8 am to 3:00 pm (flexible pick-up available).
$300 Non-Members
$270 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you, this is different than the SciFun Camp discount code)
June 16th (Monday) - 20th (Friday)
JAM Sessions
Elementary Learners
Junior Adventurers at the Museum (JAM) Sessions engage elementary students in fun, hands-on inquiry-based activities to familiarize students with STEM-essentials. Experiments and crafts are sure to feed any child’s curiosity. JAM Sessions take place twice per month. Registration in advance is highly encourage as spots are limited
$5 GENERAL ADMISSION
FREE FOR MEMBERS
Do you play a musical instrument? Do you sing? Each instrument (and voice) produces a unique sound that can usually be differentiated from one another. For example, the sound of a bassoon is very different from a flute, which is very different from a violin. This is partly due to how high or low a sound is (pitch), but also the sound quality (timbre) and other factors.
In this JAM, you will learn what sound is at the most basic level. With this foundational understanding, we will explore the different ways in which sound can be produced and why these variations result in the huge varieties of sounds we encounter in our everyday lives.
Class is at 10:15 am
February 22 & 27
How many animals do you think you can spot on a nature walk? Of course, it will depend a lot on where you are. You’ll likely find more things at a state park than you will in your backyard. Still, there are probably a lot of things to see in seemingly unlikely places…but those things are more likely to see you first because they blend into their environment!
In this JAM, you will learn about camouflage. You may know what camouflage is, but what makes certain patterns work so well in one environment and so poorly in another? Something else to think about: what happens when you take a camouflaged object from land and move it into the water? You will look at different camouflaged specimens, make your own camouflage animal patterns, and explore what makes them unique.
Class is at 10:15 am
March 8 & 13
If you dig in a patch of dirt, what do you find? Depending on where you dig, you will likely find different living things crawling in and around your sample. What would you expect to find in a sample of wetland soil vs, say, a sample of sandy soil? If you think about what all living things need to survive, this can give you clues to answer this question.
In this JAM, you will look closely at samples of soil collected from different habitats. While we often barely notice what is living under our feet, the tiny soil invertebrates play a huge role in the diversity and health of the habitats we interact with everyday.
Class is at 10:15 am
March 22 & 27
SciFun Camps
Elementary School Learners
School year SciFun Camps are drop-off, single or multiple day long camps, with science oriented experiments and activities designed for elementary age students. Our Lead Educator designs curricula for facilitating these activities with the intention that the students will participate expectedly and learn concepts as well as enjoy the activities. During the school year camps run from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, on select Blue Valley School District out-of-school days. Dates for the 2024-2025 school year are:
Friday, August 30th
Tuesday, September 3rd
Friday, September 27th
Friday, October 11th
Thursday – Friday, October 24th-25th
Friday, November 1st
Monday - Tuesday, November 25th-26th
Friday, December 6th
Thursday-Friday, January 2nd-3rd
Monday, January 20th
Friday, January 31st
Thursday - Friday, February 13th-14th
Monday, February 17th
Friday, February 28th
Friday, March 14th
Monday - Friday, March 17th-21st
Monday, March 24th
Friday, April 11th
Friday, April 25th
Friday, May 2nd
Prices vary based on camp length, see individual Camp for more information. Members receive a discount.
Cancellation policy:
More than 4 weeks before the camp date: Refund 100% - $10 admin fee
4 weeks - 8 days before camp: Refund 50% - $10 admin fee
Within 7 days of camp: 0% refund
Think about the activities you do in a day, or even just in the morning when you get ready for school. What senses do you use? If you made a list of all the things you encounter even before arriving at school, how late ng do you think it would be? Our senses are incredibly important to us, and it’s easy to forget how much we rely on them to navigate our day.
In this camp, we will learn about the five senses. You’ve heard of them before, but we will conduct experiments that let us explore how they actually work. As a bonus, we will also learn how our sense of sight can trick us by checking out brain illusions.
For elementary school ages.
$50 Non-Members
$40 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)
If registering multiple children, please add them to the cart one at a time.
February 28th (Friday)
Drop-off for camps is from 8:00-8:20 am and pick-up is from 3:30-4:00 pm. Please email education@visitthemap.org or wendy@visitthemap.org with any questions.
Think about all of the machines you use on any given day. How do you think you would do without them? Our automated/electronic machines are pretty new, but there are a lot more objects that don’t require batteries or electricity that humans have relied on for hundreds of thousands of years.
In this camp, you will learn about different types of machines that humans have used and how they work - dating all the way back to the first hand tools made from rocks.
For elementary school ages
$50 Non-Members
$40 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)
If registering for this SciFun camp as part of SciFun Camp - Engineering: Rube Goldberg Machines (March 17-21), do not register for this camp separately. Please indicate your registration for this camp on the ScFun Camp - Engineering Rube Goldberg Machines registration form. SciFun Camp on Friday, March 14th OR Monday, March 24th is included with registration for SciFun Camp - Engineering: Rube Goldberg Machines.
March 14th (Friday)
Drop-off for camps is from 8:00-8:20 am and pick-up is from 3:30-4:00 pm. Please email education@visitthemap.org or wendy@visitthemap.org with any questions.
Do you like to know how machines work? Even our most intricate modern machines boil down to a handful of basic simple devices, such as the lever and pulley. You encounter these simple machines in your daily lives, such as when you open a car door (lever) to hop in and go for a ride.
On the first day of this multi-day camp, we will learn about all of the simple machines and how to construct them. From then on, you will use this knowledge to construct a Rube Goldberg Machine. These contraptions use multiple simple machines chained together to accomplish a task, and you will work as a team to create a machine to perform a special task!
For elementary school ages
$250 Non-Members
$200 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)
March 17th (Monday) - March 21st (Friday) with OPTIONAL BONUS Days March 14th (Friday) OR March 20th (Monday) (must indicate optional day on the camp registration form)
Drop-off for camps is from 8:00-8:20 am and pick-up is from 3:30-4:00 pm. Please email education@visitthemap.org or wendy@visitthemap.org with any questions.
What powers objects to move? We rely on a lot of devices that use energy in some form. Energy is everywhere around us, and humans have figured out how to utilize energy in its different forms to power our societies. In this camp, we will learn what energy is and how it can transfer from one form to another.
For elementary school ages
$50 Non-Members
$40 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)
If registering for this SciFun camp as part of SciFun Camp - Engineering: Rube Goldberg Machines (March 17-21), do not register for this camp separately. Please indicate your registration for this camp on the ScFun Camp - Engineering Rube Goldberg Machines registration form.
SciFun Camp on Friday, March 14th OR Monday, March 24th is included with registration for SciFun Camp - Engineering: Rube Goldberg Machines.
March 24th (Monday)
Drop-off for camps is from 8:00-8:20 am and pick-up is from 3:30-4:00 pm. Please email education@visitthemap.org or wendy@visitthemap.org with any questions.
Do you know our state reptile? State amphibian? What makes reptiles and amphibians different from other groups of animals, and what makes the two different from each other? In this camp, we will try and spot some reptiles out in our wetlands as well as learn about the reptiles and amphibians from our Discovery Room.
For elementary school ages.
$50 Non-Members
$40 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)
If registering multiple children, please add them to the cart one at a time.
April 11th (Friday)
Drop-off for camps is from 8:00-8:20 am and pick-up is from 3:30-4:00 pm. Please email education@visitthemap.org or wendy@visitthemap.org with any questions.
The weather is warming up, and plants and animals everywhere have emerged from their winter slumber. You may know that April 22nd is called Earth Day. It is a day to celebrate nature and learn how to protect the planet’s habitats. It is our one home, and we all need to look after it.
In honor of Earth Day, you will learn how to care for natural habitats and why they are important. We will tour our wetlands and investigate different habitats and the plant/animal interactions that are important for their health. We will watch for unique wetland wildlife, such as the Red-wing blackbird. In the afternoon, weather permitting, we will spend even more time outside and have the chance to get a little dirty and work on our butterfly garden!
For elementary school ages.
$50 Non-Members
$40 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)
If registering multiple children, please add them to the cart one at a time.
April 25th (Friday)
Drop-off for camps is from 8:00-8:20 am and pick-up is from 3:30-4:00 pm. Please email education@visitthemap.org or wendy@visitthemap.org with any questions.
Have you ever thought about making things with some objects you find while walking in nature? Plant parts like stems, leaf blades, even seed pods can be used for some interesting creations. In this camp, we will walk around and look for natural objects we can use to make whatever decorative creations you like, and you will have examples to help inspire you. Also, we will learn how to weave use cattail reeds and blackberry canes (stems). As always, you can take these items home!
For elementary school ages.
$50 Non-Members
$40 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)
If registering multiple children, please add them to the cart one at a time.
May 2nd (Friday)
Drop-off for camps is from 8:00-8:20 am and pick-up is from 3:30-4:00 pm. Please email education@visitthemap.org or wendy@visitthemap.org with any questions.
Summer SciFun Camps
Elementary & Middle School Learners
Summer SciFun camps are drop-off, day long weekly camps with science oriented experiments and activities designed for elementary and/or middle school age students. Our Lead Educator designs curricula for facilitating these activities with the intention that the students will participate expectedly and learn concepts as well as enjoy the activities. Grade levels are determined by the grade the student will be entering in fall. During the Summer camps run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Camps go on sale at 10:00 am on Friday, January 24th
Planet Pioneers
June 2-6, K-2nd
June 9-13, 3rd-5th
June 16-20, 6th-8thDigging Up the Past
June 23-27, K-2nd
July 7-11, 3rd-5thMarine Science
July 21-25, K-2nd
July 28-August 1, 3rd-5thJunior Biologists
August 4-8, K-5th
$250 Non-Members | $200 Members
Cancellation policy
Before May 1st: Refund 100% - $10 admin fee
May 1st to 8 days before the 1st date of Camp: Refund 50% - $10 admin fee
Within 7 days of the first day of camp: 0% refund
If a camp is sold out, please contact education@visitthemap.org or 913-333-3551 to be added to the wait list.
Earth is our only home for now, but that could be changing soon. According to NASA, astronauts might land on Mars to explore it as early as the 2030s.
For centuries, people have wondered about other planets and what we might find there if we visited them. If you were suddenly transported to an unknown, alien world, how would you survive? What’s the first thing you would do? How would you make use of any raw materials your planet has? Should you even go, or would it be too dangerous? If we did go, would we just end up damaging the planet?
In this summer camp, you will come up with ideas that could answer these questions. You will conduct experiments, make crafts, and learn what it might be like to be among the first to step on another planet.
For elementary and middle school ages (entering grades K-8th)
$250 Non-Members
$200 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)
K-2nd grade: June 2nd (Monday) - June 6th (Friday)
3rd-5th grade: June 9th (Monday) - June 13th (Friday)
6th-8th grade: June 16th (Monday) - June 20th (Friday)
Drop-off for camps is from 8:30-9:00 am and pick-up is from 3:00-3:30 pm. Please email education@visitthemap.org with any questions.
Have you ever found a fossil? Were you able to identify it? Before fossils were formally studied only hundreds of years ago, someone may have identified your fossil as a preserved dragon bone or even a bolt of lightning turned to stone!
We’ve come a long way in our understanding of what fossils are, where we can find them, and what they can tell us about Earth’s past environments. In this paleontology summer camp, we will explore ancient organisms and the environments they lived in. You will learn where to find fossils and how to tell, just by looking at how well preserved it is, how the plant or animal may have died. We will also learn about some of the most famous fossil-finding sites in the world, as well as how to dig for fossils yourself.
For elementary school ages (entering grades K-5th)
$250 Non-Members
$200 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)
K-2nd grade: June 23rd (Monday) - June 27th (Friday)
3rd-5th grade: July 7th (Monday) - July 11th (Friday)
Drop-off for camps is from 8:30-9:00 am and pick-up is from 3:00-3:30 pm. Please email education@visitthemap.org with any questions.
Learning about oceans and ocean weather might sound strange given that we are in the middle of the country, but you may remember that Kansas was covered by an ocean multiple times. We have only fossils left to tell us about our ancient marine past, but there are plenty of modern oceans around the world to study.
In this oceanography camp, we’ll learn what makes ocean environments unique from land environments and how vitally important oceans are to life all around the planet. Approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in oceans, so it’s not difficult to imagine the impact they have, whether it’s hurricanes causing damage on coastlines, waves shaping huge rock structures, or plankton releasing oxygen. You will also learn about the impacts humans have made on oceans and what ocean scientists are doing to try and protect them for future generations.
For elementary school ages (entering grades K-5th)
$250 Non-Members
$200 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)
K-2nd grade: July 21st (Monday) - July 25th (Friday)
3rd-5th grade: July 28th (Monday) - August 1st (Friday)
Drop-off for camps is from 8:30-9:00 am and pick-up is from 3:00-3:30 pm. Please email education@visitthemap.org with any questions.
What makes something living vs. nonliving? The answer is probably harder to pin down than you think. In fact, there are still biologists today that debate over this question. This is just one of the questions you will attempt to answer as you learn about the different living organisms around the world. Closer to home, there is a variety of life just behind the museum in our wetland and prairie habitats to observe and study.
In this biology camp, we will learn what makes the Earth so unique from any other planet we know of (so far): its huge abundance of life. From the tiniest bacterium to blue whales to a network of fungi that spreads for miles around its center of growth, the Earth is full of life. You will take a close look at organisms, both past and present, that can be found just in and around our museum. You will learn how to identify them as well as learn what they can tell us about our environment.
For all elementary school ages (entering grades K-5th)
$250 Non-Members
$200 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)
K-5th grade: August 4th (Monday) - August 8th (Friday)
Drop-off for camps is from 8:30-9:00 am and pick-up is from 3:00-3:30 pm. Please email education@visitthemap.org with any questions.
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Animal Encounters
Join us Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays to get an up close look at some of the animals in our Discovery Room!
Each animal encounter lasts approximately 15 minutes and is included in the price of admission.
Please visit our “Animal Encounters” page for exact time and animals.
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Options for Homeschooling families
We are happy to offer programs exclusively designed for and dedicated to Homeschooling families.
Contact Tom Radocy with any questions.
education@visitthemap.org
(913) 333-3551
Custom Field Trips
You can plan your own educational, facilitated field trip at the MAP for your homeschooling needs! Visit the Field Trips section of the website by clicking the button below, and fill out a form to make your request and let us know about your vision for your student’s field trip!
SciFun Camps
Homeschool students are welcomed to attend any of our SciFun camps.
Programs
Choose a Little Explorers Club or JAM session program suited for your student’s age group, pick a topic, and get ready for an engaging, learning session led by Museum at Prairiefire experts. This is perfect for those looking to add diversity to an at-home curriculum.
Discover the marvelous world of minerals and how we use them every day. Through interactive activities, stories, and hands-on exploration, children will learn about different types of minerals, their unique properties, and how they impact our lives—from the food we eat to the toys we play with. Get ready for a colorful and educational experience!
Class is at 10:15 am
February 25, 27, March 1