Science Alliance Middle School Program

Part of Children & Families

Four middle school students sit on the floor inside a lab, surrounded by images from a 360 degree projection of data on climate change.
Classes at the Museum for students in Grades 6-8.

Learn new skills doing what you love—and meet our scientists. Explore the Tree of Life, our universe, and humankind. Make friends and collaborate on scientific discoveries!

Join Science Alliance

All classes are for students in Grades 6–8. Students can choose the topics they want to explore: anthropology, astrophysics, conservation science, Earth science, and evolutionary biology. 

During the school year, Science Alliance runs three sessions: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Classes will be offered on Thursdays and Fridays after school and Saturdays during the day. 

  • Thursday and Friday classes meet from 4:30–6:30 pm for eight weeks.
  • Saturday classes meet from 10 am–3 pm for four weeks.

During the summer, Science Alliance offers a four-week Summer Science Academy where students explore a different scientific discipline each week. Summer Science Academy meets 9 am– 3pm.

Have an older student? See the Science Alliance High School Program.

How to Register

  • Please note that the grade level for Fall, Winter, and Spring programs below refers to the grade your child will enter in the 2024 academic year.
  • Students should sign up for classes based on the designated grade bands. 
  • To register for each program, click the “purchase” button.
  • For tuition assistance, please see instructions under "Tuition Assistance" section. 
  • For the waitlist, please see "Waitlist"section.

Fees

  • Fall, Winter, and Spring courses are $1,000 each.
  • The four-week Summer Science Academy is $4,500 for the entire summer.

Spring 2025 Sessions

CLASS
AGE GROUP
DATES & TIMES

Class:
Animal Prosthetics

How can technology transform the lives of animals with physical impairments? In this hands-on course, you’ll explore how 3D printing and digital design can be used to create prosthetics for animals in need. Learn how to brainstorm innovative solutions, navigate design constraints, and develop prototypes using tools like Tinkercad, clay, and LEGOs. You’ll collaborate in teams to refine your designs, test them using augmented reality, and ensure they meet the needs of animals. By the end of the course, you’ll have the chance to present your final prototypes during a community showcase, highlighting how creativity and engineering can make a difference.

Dates: Thursdays—4/3, 4/10, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29
Time: 4:30-6:30pm

 

Cost: $1000

Age Group:
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8

Dates & Times:
April 3–May 29.
Thursdays, 4:30-6:30pm

Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8

April 3–May 29

Thursdays, 4:30-6:30pm

Class:
Exoplanets

Diamond rain, oceans of lava, endless darkness… these are some of the many discoveries found on exoplanets, or planets that can be found outside of our own solar system. The hunt is on to find as many as possible. Join our astro educators to discover how planets are formed, learn how scientists find and explore exoplanets, and determine if new exoplanets are suitable for life. In this program, you will run experiments, experience the Hayden Planetarium, and create a model of a planetary system that we’ve detected outside of our solar system.

Dates: Thursdays—4/3, 4/10, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29
Time: 4:30-6:30 pm

Cost: $1,000

Age Group:
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8

Dates & Times:
April 3–May 29.
Thursdays, 4:30–6:30 pm

Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8

April 3–May 29

Thursdays, 4:30–6:30 pm

Class:
A Universe Without Minerals

A universe without minerals can’t exist. Minerals are the building blocks of planets and are essential to all living organisms—including you—not to mention the jewelry you wear and the technology you use. Minerals have shaped our past and our present and will shape our future. And did you know that mineralogy opens doors to fascinating careers? Whether you dream of being a geologist, environmental scientist, or even a space explorer, this course lays the foundation for an exciting future. Join this program to explore the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals and New York City’s geologic features and to learn about the natural processes that make the Earth unique, dynamic, and suitable for life and have shaped human civilizations.

Dates: Fridays—4/4, 4/11, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30
Time: 4:30–6:30 pm

Cost: $1,000

Registration Open

Age Group:
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8

Dates & Times:
April 4–May 30.
Fridays, 4:30-6:30pm

Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8

April 4–May 30

Fridays, 4:30-6:30pm

Class:
Conservation in the 21st Century: From Hope to Action

Biodiversity describes the variety of life on this earth, from the diversity in genomes through the variety of species that make up Earth’s numerous ecosystems. The planet’s health—and our own health—depend on this diversity. In this course, you will design solutions to address ecological challenges we face in the 21st century, from EXAMPLE to SECOND EXAMPLE. We will learn about management strategies for various ecosystems, visit our oyster garden, explore the biodiversity of Central Park’s soil ecosystems, hear from conservation scientists, and biodesign with microbes!

Dates: Fridays—4/4, 4/11, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30
Time: 4:30-6:30 pm

Cost: $1,000

Age Group:
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8

Dates & Times:
April 4–May 30.
Fridays, 4:30–6:30 pm

Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8

April 4–May 30

Fridays, 4:30–6:30 pm

Summer 2025

CLASS
AGE GROUP
DATES & TIMES

Class:
Summer Science Academy

Each week, students will engage in a new theme covering a range of scientific topics, including evolution, ecology, anthropology, astronomy, and Earth and planetary sciences. Students will explore the unique places where science happens by visiting the Museum’s collections and labs and meeting scientists. This academy will nurture students’ innate curiosity while allowing participants to generate new questions about the natural world.

Program Dates: Monday, July 28–Friday, August 22

Program Time: 9 am–3 pm Monday–Friday

Program Cost: $4,500

Member Sale starts on January 31, 2025

General Sale starts on February 5, 2025

Buy Now »

Age Group:
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8

Dates & Times:
July 28–August 22.
9am-3pm

Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8

July 28–August 22

9am-3pm

Tuition Assistance

We reserve a limited number of tuition aid seats in each Science Alliance course which are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please see the income eligibility chart below to see if your family qualifies for free or reduced tuition. Household size should indicate the total number of individuals in the home, which includes the primary caregiver(s) and all dependents. 

  • For Science Alliance, we reserve 50% of seats in each class for families requesting tuition assistance. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and families will be placed on a waitlist once seats become filled.
  • Please see the income eligibility chart below to see if your family qualifies for free or reduced tuition. Household size should indicate the total number of individuals in the home, which includes the primary caregiver(s) and all dependents. 
  • To apply for tuition aid to a Science Alliance course, please DO NOT register and pay online. Families are not guaranteed a refund if they purchase a course and later apply for tuition assistance.

Complete the Tuition Assistance application.

Following are household income requirements for free and reduced tuition. 

Household Size Free Tuition Reduced Tuition Full Tuition
2 people $99,440 or below $99,441–$205,095 $205,096 or higher
3 people $111,840 or below $111,841–$230,670 $230,671 or higher
4 people $124,240 or below $124,241–$256,245 $256,246 or higher
5 people $134,160 or below $134,161–$276,705 $276,706 or higher
6 people or more $144,080 or below $144,081–$297,165 $297,166 or higher

 

Should you have any trouble registering using the program links, please call Central Reservations at 212-769-5200 to purchase. 

Waitlist 

To be placed on the waitlist, please fill out the waiting list form.

Science Alliance Cancellation and Refund Policy

Summer Science Academy Refund Policy: You are eligible for a partial refund (50%) if you cancel by April 1, 2025. Any cancellations after April 1st are not eligible to receive a refund.

Fall, Winter, Spring Refund Policy: You are eligible for a partial (50%) refund if you cancel 30 days prior to the program start date. Cancellations made afterwards are not eligible for a refund.

In the event that a class must be canceled due to inclement weather, COVID-19 issues (e.g., increases in local Covid cases, changes to local Covid guidance, positive Covid cases among Museum staff, etc.), or other causes outside the control of the Museum, we will aim to reschedule the date(s) of the affected class(es) within the existing course schedule. In the event that rescheduling is not possible, refunds for class cancellations are not available.

To cancel your registration in our programs, please call Central Reservations at 212-769-5200.

Join our mailing list to learn about other middle school offerings.

The American Museum of Natural History gratefully acknowledges Morgan Stanley for its sponsorship of youth initiatives.

Middle School Programming in the Gilder Center is proudly sponsored by the New York Life Foundation.