Summer Classes
and Special Offerings
Kids + Outdoors + Skilled Educators = Great Science Learning
Tailored Adventures
Our educational experiences are tailored to each age group, enriched by diverse scientific subjects and interdisciplinary adventures.
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6:1 Student-to-Teacher ratio
12 Students per class
Classes for 6-8, 9-12, and 12-14 year-olds
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Agriculture
Animal Behavior
Archeology
Chemistry
Ecology
Ethnobotany
Entomology
Freshwater Ecology
Geology
Mammalogy
Natural History
Ornithology
Paleontology
Physics
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Ornithology + Fine Art
Ethnobotany + History
Natural History + Photography
Earth Science + Stewardship
Soil Health + Culinary Arts
Summer 2024 classes were full of smiles!
Hope to see you next year!
Summer 2024 Sheridan Classes
Ages 6 - 8
Hands-On Nature
June 17–20 ● 4 days
8:00 am–1:00 pm
Hop on in with nature-oriented activities for the young and curious! We’ll learn about the Earth and the way living things interact with the places they live, through hands-on experiences with nature and art. Let’s get outside and explore a variety of habitats and search out insects, animals and plants. This year, help us plant a pollinator garden and create habitat for native bees at Kendrick Park!
Instructor: Breanna Mills, M.S.
Tuition: $115
Fish and Riffles
June 24–27 ● 4 days
8:00 am–1:00 pm
Fish live in the natural, flowing systems of water all around us. In this stream restoration and fish habitat class, you will learn where and how fish find food, shelter and resting places in their all-the-time moving homes beneath the surface of streams and rivers. Observe and understand stream behavior, then apply your new skills in improving the health of a local waterway!
Instructor: Tina Krueger, Pro. Hydrologist
Tuition: $115
Beakers and Flasks
July 1–3 ● 3 days
8:00 am–1:00 pm
From bubbling concoctions to flamboyant reactions, this chemistry class is going to be a blast for blooming chemists! Get outside with Dr. Rob Milne, of Science Saturday fame, to explore the natural world through the beakers and flasks of a chemist. Mix potions under the sun and discover the ways in which bits of matter interact, combine, and change. That’s chemistry!
Instructor: Robert Milne, M.A., Ph.D.
Sponsored by: Rosemary and Dan Rieder (because when Rosemary was 7, she really wanted a chemistry set!)
Tuition: $95
Precious Plants and Powerful Pollinators
July 8–11 ● 4 days
8:00 am–1:00 pm
What do tiny bees have to do with the crunchy apples and sweet raspberries we eat for lunch? Peer into the world of pollinators—bees, butterflies, beetles, flies and hummingbirds—and explore how they help plants make new seeds. Pollinators are powerful, and plants are precious, and together they make Earth beautiful and delicious.
Instructor: Sarah Flores, M.S.
Tuition: $115
Creeks and Critters
July 15–18 ● 4 days
8:00 am–1:00 pm
Explore the wet and wild areas in and around Sheridan. We will search for and learn about the animals that live near these riparian areas. Not only will we look for animals that live near the water, we will also look IN the water for macroinvertebrates. These are insects that begin their life underwater. Students will complete a field journal, record their findings, and perform scientific investigations.
Instructor: Emily Emond, M.S.
Tuition: $115
Bird Bonanza
July 15–16 ● 2 days
8:00am–1:00pm
Learn all about birds in this two-day class. What makes a bird a bird, why do they do the things they do, and where can we find them? Let's explore these questions and more while we learn how scientists study birds in the field. One special activity will be bird-banding, where students will get to hold live birds and participate in ongoing research. Get an up-close experience with local birds and be a community scientist!
Instructors: Jacelyn Downey & Audubon Rockies Community Naturalists
In partnership with: Audubon Rockies
Tuition: $75
Wings and Scales
July 17–18 ● 2 days
8:00am–1:00 pm
Join the University of Wyoming scientists in an exploration of the stunning variety of life on Earth as we get to know some incredibly important but often under-loved creatures: insects, bats, reptiles, and amphibians. Fall in love with the extraordinary features of these creatures, as we discover how they survive and thrive in Wyoming.
Instructors: Brett Addis, Ph.D. & Mason Lee, M.S.
In partnership with: University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute
Tuition: $75
Summer 2024 Sheridan Classes
Ages 9 - 12
Nature in Focus
June 10–13 ● 4 days
8:00 am–1:00 pm
Set out on a photographic journey in this one-of-a-kind class. We will immerse ourselves in nature by learning the art of observation and use photography to capture what we see. Learn how to scout for unique and candid shots utilizing light, angles, and the organic filters of nature, while discovering what it means to be a naturalist.
Instructors: Jenae Neeson & Breanna Mills, M.S.
Tuition: $115
Dinosaur Quarry Day
June 22, Saturday ● 1 day
8:00 am–3:00 pm
Spend the day at a real dinosaur quarry with us. Go on a hike and learn about the soils and the landscape, and then try your luck at finding dinosaur bones at Sheridan College’s Dinosaur Quarry. This day is a longer class, and includes a bus ride from Sheridan to the quarry just south of Buffalo, WY.
Instructors: Dave Nicolarsen & Mike Bloodsworth
In Partnership with: Sheridan College’s Museum of Discovery
Tuition: $40
Bug Out
June 24–27 ● 4 days
8:00 am–1:00 pm
Bugs are everywhere; we just have to look for them! Spend a week identifying insects and other invertebrates, and find out the many wonderful and wacky things they do, many of which are helpful to humans. You’ll use a variety of tools to learn how insects are adapted to the Wyoming environment, and even start your own bug collection. It’s a fun experience for the aspiring entomologist!
Instructor: Emily Emond, M.S.
Tuition: $115
Phenomenal Physics
July 22–25 ● 4 days
8:00 am–1:00 pm
Have you ever wondered how humans use light and sound to communicate and record information? What about how machines make jobs easier and let people accomplish things they could not do alone? This class will teach the basics of light, sound, and motion, and explore simple machines that can be used to do almost anything. Physics is all around us…let’s get out there and grow our brains!
Instructor: Kaitlin Shaw & Chris Shaw
Tuition: $115
Mineral Miners and Fossil Finders
July 29–August 1 ● 4 days
8:00 am–1:00 pm
Fossils and minerals and micro-belemnites, oh my! Learn alongside experts as you dig into the dirt beneath your feet to explore the realm of soil science and paleontology. Discover the rocks and minerals that teach us about Wyoming’s long-ago past. Trace the history of the coal industry along the Black Diamond Trail. And peer into the world of microfossils. This class is going to rock!
Instructor: Dave Nicolarsen & Mike Bloodsworth
In Partnership with: Sheridan College’s Museum of Discovery
Tuition: $115
Food Foragers and Veggie Voyagers
August 5–8 ● 4 days
8:00 am–1:00 pm
Have you ever felt hungry and reached for a snack? Where did that food come from? Find out the fascinating story behind food on an adventure that will take you from the forest, to the garden, to the kitchen, and the table. Meet some amazing scientists, and find out from friendly local farmers what it takes to make sure we all get fed!
Instructors: Ian Cannon-Wallace & Hanne Wellborn
In partnership with: Rooted in Wyoming
Tuition: $115
Summer 2024 Sheridan Classes
Ages 12 - 14
The Fine Art of Birding
June 17–20 ● 4 days
8:00 am–2:00 pm
Birding and fine art feather together in this class as you explore the world of ornithology: the study of birds. You will head outside to hone your scientific observational skills and use four big clues to learn about birds: shape and size, song, behavior and habitat. Then head to the studio with your newfound knowledge and delve into fine art to express your observations. With new skills, artist-quality tools, and your grit, your art will soar!
PLEASE NOTE: One hour longer than other classes!
Instructors: Julie Rieder, M.S., Ph.D. & Arin Waddell, M.A., M.F.A.
Tuition: $135
Dinosaur Quarry
Day II
July 13, Saturday ● 1 day
8:00 am–3:00 pm
Join in on this more advanced day at the Dinosaur Quarry. Spend the day at a real dinosaur quarry with us. Go on a hike and learn about the soils and the landscape, and then try your luck at finding dinosaur bones at Sheridan College’s Dinosaur Quarry. This day is a longer class, and includes a bus ride from Sheridan to the quarry just south of Buffalo, WY.
Instructors: Dave Nicolarsen & Mike Bloodsworth
In Partnership with: Sheridan College’s Museum of Discovery
Tuition: $40
Mineral Miners and Fossil Finders II
August 5–8 ● 4 days
8:00 am–1:00 pm
Dig deeper in this more advanced class. Fossils and minerals and micro-belemnites, oh my! Learn alongside experts as you dig into the dirt beneath your feet to explore the realm of soil science and paleontology. Discover the rocks and minerals that teach us about Wyoming’s long-ago past. Trace the history of the coal industry along the Black Diamond Trail. And peer into the world of microfossils. This class is going to rock!
Instructors: Dave Nicolarsen & Mike Bloodsworth
In Partnership with: Sheridan College’s Museum of Discovery
Tuition: $115
Psst. Parents– we've got your round-trip covered!
Science Kids will head to classes on board our Science Kids adventure buses, making the journey to and from our classes as joyful as the learning. Let the exploration begin!
Summer 2024 Buffalo Classes
Ages 6 - 8
Note: Buffalo classes are special offerings
just for Johnson County residents.
Earth Explorers
July 1-3 ● 3 days
8:00 am–1:00 pm
Become an explorer of the Earth! We’ll learn about ecosystems (that’s a big word!) and the way living things interact with the places they live. Get moving and investigate the natural spaces near Buffalo with hands-on activities and the skills of a scientist as you observe, measure, and record your discoveries. As an Earth Explorer, our entire globe, from soil to sky, from microscopic organisms to megafauna, is waiting for you!
PLEASE NOTE: Pick up/drop off in Buffalo, WY at the Bomber Mountain Civic Center.
Instructors: Lauren Mills & Betsy Peterson
Tuition: $95
Nature’s Playground
July 22–23 ● 2 days
8:00 am–1:00 pm
Nature is everywhere; we just need to know where to look. We’ll explore the woods, meadows, and streams around Buffalo to discover amazing things that happen outside. We’ll learn about animals and insects, plants, rocks, and ancient humans, using our eyes, ears, nose, and sense of touch to experience the world like never before. By the end of the class, you’ll be a real naturalist experiencing nature, even in your own backyard, in a new way.
PLEASE NOTE: Pick up/drop off in Buffalo, WY, at the Bomber Mountain Civic Center.
Instructors: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Buffalo Field Office Staff and Partners
In partnership with: BLM
Tuition: $75
Spark Curiosity, Not Costs!
Science Kids finds local partners to offer scholarships based on financial need.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Science Kids is a science-education, field-based program designed to get kids outdoors, where great science learning happens. We have been offering classes as a nonprofit in the Sheridan area since 2009. Students explore and learn about the ecosystems they are a part of, through hands-on activities. Classes are offered to children ages 6 – 8, 9 – 12, and 12 – 14.
Science Kids also partners with location organizations to offer science programming to families, often free of charge. -
Summer classes cost anywhere between $35 and $115, which is an hourly cost of $5.75 to $7.50 for quality outdoor science education, with experienced, enthusiastic staff.
Scholarships are available. -
Our preferred method is to use the online registration process. Your registration is processed immediately, and a confirmation is instantly e-mailed to you. If you need assistance, we are happy to help and are just a call (307-429-2767) or email away info@science-kids.org
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Payment is due at the time of registration.
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Yes. Scholarships are available for those needing financial support. Apply anytime! Applications received and approved before registration opens may be eligible for early-bird registration. Applications will be reviewed, and applicants rapidly notified by email if the scholarship has been awarded.
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Cancellation Policy: If cancellation is necessary, please immediately contact Science Kids (info@science-kids.org; 307-429-2767). We aim to fill every seat on the bus for every class every day! If you know you will not be attending, please let us know as soon as possible so we can do our best to recruit a new student. An empty seat on our bus makes us sad.
Science Kids must have the parent name, student name, class title, class dates, and reason for cancellation. To process any refund, a request must be received by the refund deadlines referred to below. In addition, a processing fee of $30 will be deducted from all refund amounts.
• One month or more before the start date of class: Full refund minus processing fee.
• 14-30 days notice before the start date of class: 75% refund minus processing fee.
• 7-13 days notice before the start date of class: 50% refund minus processing fee.
• Within one week of class: No refund