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Teen After-School Programs

Part of Courses for Teens

After School Program Image 1 2014
Are you curious about science and the natural world?

Do you always watch the latest rocket launch, follow #nature on Instagram, or like learning about different cultures around the world? If you are a 9th through 12th grader who lives or goes to school in NYC, come to the American Museum of Natural History and find your new favorite topic in science!  

Every year, NYC high school students can take free courses at the Museum on topics including anthropology, astrophysics, earth science, genetics, biodiversity, and more. Students have the unique opportunity to explore our halls and dioramas, go behind the scenes to our research labs and collections, as well as working with our wonderful educators and scientists to explore diverse science topics.

Classes run from September through May, on many school breaks, and during the summer. 

We offer five sessions of After School courses per year. Each session is five weeks long and meets once or twice a week from 4:30–6:30 PM. Students may attend only one course per session. Download our scheduled calendar below!

Download our 2019-2020 calendar here!

ASP 2019-2020 Calendar

Who can participate in the After School Program? 

  • Teens that are in 9th through 12th grade (or home school equivalent).
  • Students who live in *or* go to school in the 5 boroughs of NYC.
  • You are in good standing with the program if you have previously participated.

What should you know before you apply? 

  • All After School Program courses are offered free of charge. 
  • Please read each course description carefully, including the dates and days.
  • Our goal is to have as many students as possible to join us at the museum. Often, we have many more students apply for classes than available seats. If you are waitlisted for a class, please be sure to follow instructions and apply again next session! Being waitlisted is not a reflection on your ability to participate in the class. 
  • Preference for 2 credit courses will go toward 10th and 11th graders, but 9th and 12th graders may apply. 

Our Values: Diversity Equity, and Inclusion

AMNH is a global museum in one of the most diverse cities in the world and we are committed to building an inclusive youth community that reflects that diversity. We understand science is improved by a diversity of perspectives working together to understand our world. We believe in addressing the barriers that prevent everyone from equally participating in science, particularly on the basis of race, gender, socio-economic status, and/or sexual orientation. We invite high school students across New York City to experience science in a way that is creative, social, and relevant. We are committed to providing opportunities to all students, with a focus on those who come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. We also accept students regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Join our community and explore human cultures, the natural world, and the universe at the Museum.

*NEW* AMNH High School Programs Credit System

What is the system?

  • Each Teen Program you participate in at AMNH earns you credit. While at AMNH you can earn credits for successfully completing a course, internship, or program, and use those credits toward applying to high-level programs. For example, earning four credits makes you eligible to apply for SRMP, earning six qualifies you as an AMNH Alumni - giving you access to networking, parties, and the chance to serve and develop skills on the Youth Alumni Committee. 

Who earns credits?

  • To earn the credit you must be enrolled and successfully complete an eligible course, program, or internship. You must be in good standing with the department, including adhering to Teen Program rules on behavior, attendance policy, and makeup assignments. 
  • Credits apply to the After School Program, “Sci Vis” week-long programs, Saltz Internship, Science Research Mentor Program, and school partnership programs. 

ASP Session 2 – Courses (11/12/19–12/20/19)

Apply online
COURSE
GRADE LEVEL
DATES & TIMES

Course:
 Physical Anthropology – 1 Credit

In the fields of Koobi Fora anthropologists are piecing together the history of our species. Join their journey in this new course focusing on exploring how physical anthropologists excavate field sites, examine fossil evidence, and track down traces of early human behavior in the archaeological record.

Meeting Times: Wednesdays | 4:30–6:30 PM
Meeting Dates: 11/15, 11/22, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20

Cost: Free

Registration Open

More details Less details

Grade Level:
High School, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Dates & Times:
Wednesdays.
4:30–6:30 PM

High School, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

Wednesdays

4:30–6:30 PM

Course:
 Tree of Life – 2 Credits

This course will explore the diversity of life on earth through the tree of life. Students will learn how scientists use both physical and molecular characteristics of plants and animals to classify and name species, as well as determine how different species are related to one another. Through the study of specimens, students will learn the major characteristics of various species.

Meeting Times: Tuesdays & Thursdays | 4:30–6:30 PM
Meeting Dates: 11/12, 11/14, 11/19, 11/21, 11/26, 12/3, 12/5, 12/10, 12/12, 12/17

Cost: Free

Registration Open

More details Less details

Grade Level:
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, High School

Dates & Times:
Tuesdays & Thursdays.
4:30–6:30 PM

Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, High School

Tuesdays & Thursdays

4:30–6:30 PM

Course:
 Culture, Language, and Society – 2 Credits

You may not always be aware of it, but culture is everywhere. Culture is made up of the language you speak, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, your religion, your gender, your ethnicity, your nationality, and even expectations of how you should behave. These dimensions of our lives determine how each of us understands the world around us, how we relate to family, friends, and strangers, and how each of them relates to us. Culture is the lens through which humans see the world and it exists in almost endless diversity throughout the world. In this course, we will explore how anthropologists study cultural differences in health, gender, economics, religion, and communication to better understand humankind.

Meeting Times: Tuesdays & Thursdays | 4:30–6:30 PM
Meeting Dates: 11/12, 11/14, 11/19, 11/21, 11/26, 12/3, 12/5, 12/10, 12/12, 12/17

Cost: Free

Registration Open

More details Less details

Grade Level:
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, High School

Dates & Times:
Tuesdays & Thursdays.
4:30–6:30 PM

Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, High School

Tuesdays & Thursdays

4:30–6:30 PM

Course:
 Secrets of the Solar System – 2 Credits

This class will take you on a grand tour of the solar system, from Mercury and the moons of Saturn to asteroids and comets. How did such a diversity of worlds come to be? Like space detectives, we will follow the clues and try to unravel the secrets of the solar system’s formation and evolution.

Meeting Times: Mondays & Wednesdays | 4:30–6:30 PM
Meeting Dates: 11/13, 11/18, 11/20, 11/25, 12/2, 12/4, 12/9, 12/11, 12/16, 12/18

Cost: Free

Registration Open

More details Less details

Grade Level:
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, High School

Dates & Times:
Mondays & Wednesdays.
4:30-6:30 PM

Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, High School

Mondays & Wednesdays

4:30-6:30 PM

Course:
 Marine Biology - 1 Credit

 

In this course, students will learn about marine invertebrates and biodiversity through the field research and scientific expertise of scientists working at the Museum. The course will cover marine ecosystems as well as the major groups of marine life and their evolutionary relationships. Class activities will include dissections, observing marine specimens through microscopy, exploring marine life displays in Museum halls, cladistics and the study of evolution, as well as meeting with scientists. 

Meeting Times: Fridays | 4:30–6:30 PM
Meeting Dates: 11/15, 11/22, 12/06, 12/13, 12/20

Cost: Free

Registration Open

More details Less details

Grade Level:
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, High School

Dates & Times:
Fridays.
4:30–6:30 PM

Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, High School

Fridays

4:30–6:30 PM

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Support for Youth Initiatives is provided by The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation.

Support for the Science Research Mentoring Program at the American Museum of Natural History is provided by Christopher C. Davis, The Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund; The Pinkerton Foundation; the Bezos Family Foundation; the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation; the Solon E. Summerfield Foundation; Inc.; and the Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation.

Complimentary test preparation and college admissions support for program participants is generously provided by Kaplan Test Prep.