HOMESCHOOL DAYS

Rilee Scoresby

School Programs Lead

Across the nation, more than 18.5 million children have switched to homeschool, increasing homeschool enrollment in the US by 500%.

This pattern is not shy to Utah; Utah public schools are seeing a decline in enrollment for the first time in 20 years. With over 2,000 children switching to homeschool, there is a great need for programs and resources designed for home educators.

For 25 years, Thanksgiving Point’s mission has inspired families to learn together by connecting with each other and the world around them. Even during the closure earlier this year, Thanksgiving Point worked hard to provide parents and families with educational content. Through Facebook live and YouTube videos set in the museums and other venues around the property, Thanksgiving Point provided hundreds of families support and learning when everything went online.

Thanksgiving Point recognizes the need of both seasoned and new homeschool parents for exciting content that is both educational and engaging. Thanksgiving Point has recently set programs in place for home schooled students, such as Homeschool Days and Wonder Club. With the major increase in homeschooled students, Thanksgiving Point is putting a special focus on expanding current programs and developing new programs for home educators. This school year, each venue at Thanksgiving Point will invite home educators to come to the venues at a special discounted rate. There will be educators providing special activities on those Homeschool Days which are: November 4 (at the Museum of Ancient Life), January 6 (at the Butterfly Biosphere), March 3 (at the Museum of Natural Curiosity), and May 5 (at Farm Country).

The Wonder Club program will also be expanding and begins again in the spring of 2021. The Wonder Club program is a hands-on STEM learning program that gives homeschool students the chance to learn together, analyze data, develop models, and design solutions. This spring phenology (learning about nature’s cycles), and microscopy (taking a close look at geology, biology, and more through microscopes) classes will be offered.

Thanksgiving Point is a venue for My Tech High students. Students who attend My Tech High classes at Thanksgiving Point participate in hands-on maker activities with a group of homeschool students.

Thanksgiving Point is also working to develop new programs for home educators. These programs include producing more resources and support for parents of homeschooled children. Make sure to check out ThanksgivingPoint.org/education/families to stay updated. HOMESCHOOL DAYS Dates to remember

JANUARY 6 Butterfly Biosphere

MARCH 3 Museum of Natural Curiosity

MAY 5 Farm Country