Science Alliance: High School Program

Part of Teens

A close up photograph of the planet Earth, taken from space.

Contact: Please email [email protected] for additional info.

Classes at the Museum for students in Grades 9 and 10.

We are excited to announce the expansion of the Science Alliance Program to students in grades 9-10. Students can choose the topics they want to explore: anthropology, astrophysics, conservation science, Earth science, and evolutionary biology.

During the school year, Science Alliance High School runs three sessions: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Courses will meet once or twice a week on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays from 4:30-6:30 pm. Please see course listings for meeting dates and times.

Have a younger student? See the Science Alliance Middle School Program.

How to Register

Please note that the grade level for Fall, Winter, and Spring programs below refers to the grade will enter in the 2023 academic year.
Students should sign up for classes based on the designated grade bands.
To register for each program, click the “purchase” button.

Fees

Fall, Winter, and Spring Courses range from $500 - $1,000 each depending on the length of the course.

Tuition Assistance

We offer a limited number of reduced tuition (50% off) and free tuition seats in Science Alliance.

Following are household income requirements for free and reduced tuition. If you qualify, you may apply for tuition assistance.

Household Size	Free Tuition	Reduced Tuition	Full Tuition
2 people	$90,400 or below	$90,401–$186,450	$186,450 or higher
3 people	$101,680 or below	$101,681–$209,715	$209,715or higher
4 people	$112,960 or below	$112,961–$232,980	$232,980 or higher
5 people	$122,000 or below	$122,001-251,625	$251,625 or higher
6 people or more	$131,040 or below	$131,041-$270,270	$270,270 or higher

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

SAP-HS Cancellation and Refund Policy

You will be eligible for a full refund (100%) if you cancel at least 30 days before the start of the program. You will be eligible for a partial refund (50%) if you cancel at least 15 days before the start of the program. Any cancellations less than 15 days before the program's start are not eligible to receive 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.

Winter 2024

Class:
Koobi Fora: 5 Million years of Human Evolution (9th/10th)

The Koobi Fora region of Northern Kenya is a source of unparalleled geological, fossil, and archaeological evidence. Much of what we have learned about the evolution of our own species is a result of the ongoing paleontological research occurring here. In “Koobi Fora, “ you will discover what it is like to do fieldwork in one of the most remote places in the world and learn how scientists identify human fossils, reconstruct prehistoric environments, interpret the behavior of extinct early human species, and determine the age of the fossils. Like a paleoanthropologist, you will conduct elevation mapping, simulate digs, model radioisotopic dating, and reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions using found animal remains.

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 1/11, 1/16, 1/18, 1/23, 1/25, 1/30, 2/1, 2/6, 2/8, 2/13, 2/15, 2/29, 3/7

Click here to purchase

Cost: $1,000

Registration Open

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Age Group:
Grade 9, Grade 10

Dates & Times:
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30–6:30 pm.

Class:
Dragonflies: Using Machine Learning to Model a Climate Canary (9th/10th)

We are in the midst of dramatic climate change. How can we use computer modeling and insects to understand the future impact of climate shifts?In this course, students will learn about ecological niches, machine learning (ML)-powered species distribution models, and how these concepts and tools can be applied to conservation science, with a focus on dragonflies. Dragonflies, sometimes referred to as “climate canaries” because of their sensitivity to environmental factors, can provide valuable insight into the effects of climate change on insects and other wildlife. Students will gain hands-on experience with museum specimens, rear dragonflies from babies (aka, aquatic larvae), collaborate with AMNH scientists studying dragonflies, and use Wallace, an R-based platform for modeling species niches and distributions (no coding experience or coding required!) For their final project, students will map the potential ranges of specific species in the present and future (accounting for a changing climate), and use their models to inform original conservation solutions.