HOMESCHOOL SERIES
JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH
Project Oceanology Homeschool Programs
Register for a single class, or dive into the whole series!
At Project Oceanology, we bring the ocean to life for homeschool students through hands-on marine science experiences. Developed by expert marine biologists and educators, our programs spark curiosity, foster scientific thinking, and connect students to the wonders of the sea - all from our coastal learning center in Groton, CT.
Program Highlights
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Designed for Ages 5-8 and 9-12 with both age groups meeting simultaneously
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Each class last two hours
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Hands-on learning with live animals, experiments and more
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Aligned with the Ocean Literacy Principals
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All classes take place at Project Oceanology
Meets weekly, every Friday in the month of January from 9:30 am -11:30 am.
Each Class: $35
Save $15 when you sign up for all 4 classes in one month — discount applied in your cart!
January 9, 2026 - Fabulous Fish
Explore the diverse fish of Long Island Sound! Students will touch live fish, learn how they use camouflage and other adaptations to survive and test their own camouflage skill by playing a game. Can anyone spot your hidden flounder?
Learning Outcome: Students will understand how physical and behavioral traits help fish survive in their habitats and practice observation skills.
January 16, 2026 - Secrets of Squid
Discover how squid escape predators and explore their hidden shell—called a pen! Students will examine the inside and outside of a longfin squid, learn about amazing adaptations, and create a model squid to take home.
Learning Outcome: Students will explore predator-prey relationships and identify key physical features that support survival in marine environments.
January 23, 2026 - Clever Crabs
Identify the diversity of crabs living in Long Island Sound! Students will interact with live crabs, identify different species and learn what their claws and reveal about their diets.
Learning Outcome: Students will compare crab species and use evidence to infer feeding behaviors and ecological roles.
Each week in January, young scientists dive into the world of marine organisms through themed literacy connections, live animal encounters, and hands-on exploration. Lessons are grounded in Ocean Literacy Principle #5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
January 30, 2026 - Living Fossils
Identify the diversity of crabs living in Long Island Sound! Students will interact with live crabs, identify different species and learn what their claws and reveal about their diets.
Learning Outcome: Students will compare crab species and use evidence to infer feeding behaviors and ecological roles.
Meets weekly, every Friday in the month of January from 9:30 am -11:30 am.
Each Class: $35
Save $15 when you sign up for all 4 classes in one month — discount applied in your cart!
January 9, 2026 - Polar Seas
Explore the icy ecosystems of the Arctic and Antarctic, where marine life thrives despite extreme cold. Students will investigate how animals like polar bears, penguins, and seals survive in frigid waters through insulation, migration, and specialized behaviors.
Learning Outcome: Students will understand how polar marine organisms adapt to cold environments and the role of sea ice in supporting biodiversity.
January 16, 2026 - Open Ocean
Dive into the vast blue expanse of the open ocean, home to some of the planet’s largest and most mysterious creatures. Students will explore food webs, plankton dynamics, and the adaptations of animals like tuna, jellyfish, and whales.
Learning Outcome: Students will identify key features of open ocean ecosystems and analyze how energy flows through marine food chains.
January 30, 2026 - Rocky Intertidal
Investigate the dynamic zone between land and sea, where crashing waves and changing tides shape life. Students will study tide pool organisms, test salinity and temperature effects, and simulate tidal changes.
Learning Outcome: Students will understand how organisms adapt to fluctuating conditions and identify zones within the intertidal habitat.
Each week in February, young scientists dive into the world of marine organisms through themed literacy connections, live animal encounters, and hands-on exploration. Lessons are grounded in Ocean Literacy Principle #5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
February 3, 2026 - Super Skates
Skates are related to sharks and rays. Students will figure out what all of these animals have in common. Students will touch a living skate, investigate adaptation and create a skate model.
Learning Outcome: This week emphasizes comparative anatomy and introduces basic and adaptation.
February 10, 2026 - Amazing Algae
Seaweeds are at the base of the food web in the ocean – marine animals depend on them for food, protection, and more! Seaweed is also used in many products you use every day, such as toothpaste and ice cream. Students will examine seaweed up close, sort it based on characteristics and make a kelp model.
Learning Outcome: This session highlights food webs, biodiversity, and the connection between ocean life and human use.
February 17, 2026 - Helpful Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs are common in shallow water in Long Island Sound. Did you know their shells are often home to other smaller animals? Students will examine live hermit crabs, learn about their life cycle and create a hermit crab of their own.
Learning Outcome: This week focuses on symbiosis, life cycles, and habitat sharing.
March 3, 2026 - Sound Seals
Harbor seals migrate to the Sound from the Gulf of Maine over the winter. Investigate adaptations that help seals stay warm during the cold winters, learn about migration and create a seal model.
Learning Outcome: This session introduces concepts of marine mammal biology, migration, and survival strategies.
January Series: Ocean Investigators (Ages 9-12)
Each week, young scientists dive into the world of marine organisms through hands-on exploration, journaling, and experiments. Lessons are grounded in Ocean Literacy Principle #5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
January Series: Critter Exploration (Ages 5-8)
February Series: Critter Exploration (Ages 5-8)
February Series: Ocean Investigators (Ages 9-12)
February 3, 2026 - Sandy Shore
Meet the fish that live close to shorelines, from flounder to striped bass. Students will examine fish anatomy, investigate camouflage and schooling behavior, and compare species found in Long Island Sound.
Learning Outcome: Students will analyze physical and behavioral adaptations of nearshore fish and explore their role in coastal ecosystems.
Each week, young scientists dive into the world of marine organisms through hands-on exploration, journaling, and experiments. Lessons are grounded in Ocean Literacy Principle #5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
Meets weekly, every Tuesday in the month of February from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.
Each Class: $35
Save $15 when you sign up for all 4 classes in one month — discount applied in your cart!
February 10, 2026 - Eelgrass Meadows
Uncover the secrets of underwater meadows that stabilize sediment and shelter young marine animals. Students will dissect eelgrass blades, explore photosynthesis, and simulate habitat restoration.
Learning Outcome: Students will understand the ecological functions of eelgrass and its importance in maintaining healthy coastal environments.
February 17, 2026 - Oyster Reefs
Explore how oysters build reefs that protect shorelines and filter water. Students will observe oyster anatomy, test water clarity, and model reef formation.
Learning Outcome: Students will investigate how oyster reefs support biodiversity and improve water quality through filtration.
March 3, 2026 - Gull Rookery
Take flight into the world of coastal birds! Students will study gull behavior, nesting strategies, and food sources, then simulate a rookery and track bird calls.
Learning Outcome: Students will explore the life cycle of gulls and understand how coastal habitats support bird populations.
March Series: Critter Explorations (Ages 5-8)
Each week, young scientists dive into the world of marine organisms through themed literacy connections, live animal encounters, and hands-on exploration. Lessons are grounded in Ocean Literacy Principle #5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
Meets weekly, every Thursday in the month of March from 9:30 am - 11:30 am.
Each Class: $35
Save $15 when you sign up for all 4 classes in one month — discount applied in your cart!
March 5, 2026 - Unbelievable Urchins
Students will observe live sea urchins, explore how they move and feed using tube feet. Along the way, they’ll discover how these spiny animals survive in tide pools and rocky reefs.
Learning Outcome: This session will cover echinoderm anatomy, movement, and adaptations for survival in intertidal habitats.
March 12, 2026 - Terrific Turtles
Turtles are ancient reptiles with fascinating features. Students will explore the differences between land and sea turtles, and learn how their shells help them survive. They’ll also create their own sea turtle and discover how turtles navigate long migrations and find their nesting grounds.
Learning Outcome: This session will focus on reptile adaptations, migration, and the importance of conservation.
March 19, 2026 - Super Stars
Students will examine live sea stars, learn how they eat with their stomachs outside their bodies, and explore how they regenerate lost arms. Students will design a sea star model to take home; reinforcing their unique body structure.
Learning Outcome: This week focuses on regeneration, predator-prey relationships, and echinoderm diversity.
March 26, 2026 - Legendary Lobsters
Students will investigate molting, explore lobster anatomy, and compare claws for different functions. They’ll meet a live lobster and visit the lobsters in our seawater lab.
Learning Outcome: This session introduces crustacean biology, molting, and form-function relationships.
March Series: Ocean Investigations (Ages 9-12)
Each week, young scientists dive into the world of marine organisms through hands-on exploration, journaling, and experiments. Lessons are grounded in Ocean Literacy Principle #5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
Meets weekly, every Thursday in the month of March from 9:30 am - 11:30 am.
Each Class: $35
Save $15 when you sign up for all 4 classes in one month — discount applied in your cart!
March 5, 2026 - Deep Sea
Descend into the mysterious depths of the ocean to uncover life in extreme environments. Students will investigate bioluminescence, pressure adaptations, and food scarcity in the deep sea. They’ll simulate deep-sea exploration and design a creature adapted to life in the abyss.
Learning Outcome: Students will analyze how deep-sea organisms survive under high pressure, low light, and limited resources.
March 12, 2026 - Coral Reef
Dive into the vibrant world of coral reefs, home to some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. Students will examine coral anatomy, explore symbiotic relationships like coral and zooxanthellae.
Learning Outcome: Students will understand how coral reefs support biodiversity and how environmental changes impact reef health.
March 19, 2026 - Mangrove
Explore the tangled roots of mangrove forests and their role in coastal protection. Students will investigate salinity tolerance, root adaptations, and nursery habitats for marine life. They’ll simulate sediment trapping and test water filtration through mangrove roots.
Learning Outcome: Students will evaluate how mangroves stabilize coastlines and support juvenile marine species.
March 26, 2026 - Salt Marsh
Discover the ecological importance of wetlands. Students will learn about common marsh plants and animals that live there and test water samples from the marsh. They’ll explore how marshes act as buffers and carbon sinks.
Learning Outcome: Students will investigate the role of salt marshes in shoreline protection and climate change
January 23, 2026 - Kelp Forests
Discover the underwater forests that sway with the currents and shelter countless marine species. Students will examine kelp anatomy, learn how it supports biodiversity, and model the structure of a kelp forest.
Learning Outcome: Students will explore the ecological importance of kelp forests and how they provide food, shelter, and oxygen to marine life.
There are no refunds unless a program is canceled.
Meets weekly, every Tuesday in the month of February from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.
Each Class: $35
Save $15 when you sign up for all 4 classes in one month — discount applied in your cart!
There are no refunds unless a program is canceled.
There are no refunds unless a program is canceled.
There are no refunds unless a program is canceled.
There are no refunds unless a program is canceled.
There are no refunds unless a program is canceled.
There are no refunds unless a program is canceled.