Maui Homeschool Program

Maui Homeschool Science Series

Hawai‘i Nature Center offers a science series in which every class builds upon each experiential lesson. Created to bring together homeschool students, ages 6 to 11, the bi-weekly Wednesday, 6-hour sessions are live, in-person and teacher-led. Sessions include field trips around Maui. Topics include lifecycles of volcanoes, water, nutrients, plants, animals and more.

Drop off/pick up Location: Pearl Moon Farm in Ha‘ikū | (808) 446-4672 | Homeschool@HawaiiNatureCenter.og

Fall 2026 School Program Flyer

Fall 2026 Homeschool Science Series | September 16 – December 16 | For Ages 6 to 11

2026: Wednesdays, September 16 & 30, October 14 & 28, November 4, December 2 & 16
9 am (drop-off as early as 8:45 am) to 3 pm
Full Semester: $560 (7 sessions) | Individual weekly classes are not available

Cycles in Nature

Join us as we learn about different cycles in nature and the essential roles that they play in sustaining life in Hawai’i and across the world. Through hands-on activities, experiments, outdoor exploration, crafts, and art projects, we will dive into the water cycle, plant life cycle, animal life cycle, nutrient cycle, and others! Students will learn to practice the scientific method with an emphasis on observation and identification of natural phenomenon through HNC’s hands-on, ʻāina-based approach. Here, keiki lead with curiosity and reinforce learning through nature journaling (kilo “to observe”), art and science-based projects, free play, social development through group activities, practicing teamwork (laulima), making friends and having fun … all in the context of being in nature!

If program is full, contact Homeschool@HawaiiNatureCenter.org to join the wait list and include the number of children you wish to enroll, their ages, and your best contact phone number.

Book online now!

Fall 2026 Lessons Overview

September 16 – December 16

September 16: Cycles in Nature

Start the day by getting to know each other and our Haʻikū homebase, then discover the cycles that shape Hawaiʻi’s unique environment. After an introduction to the program, we’ll head into the forest for a half-day nature exploration field trip.

September 30: Volcanic Cycle

JLike plants and animals, volcanoes have life cycles of their own. Explore Hawaiʻi’s island chain and discover how volcanoes have shaped its past, present and future as we explore the slopes of Haleakalā.

October 14: Water Cycle

Water sustains all life, and its cycle shapes the world around us. Explore the water cycle through hands-on activities and field observations in ʻOlowalu.

October 28: Nutrient Cycle

Discover nature’s recycling system and the important role decomposers play in healthy ecosystems. Through hands-on exploration in a loʻi, keiki will learn how nutrients and water support the growth of kalo and other living things.

November 4: Plant Life Cycle

From native koa trees to garden vegetables, every plant begins with a seed. Explore the plant life cycle through hands-on seed germination and a forest walk, where keiki will discover plants at every stage and learn to identify native species like ʻōhiʻa lehua.

December 2: Animal Life Cycle

From birds and mammals to butterflies, animals have unique life cycles. Through games, lessons and hands-on exploration, keiki will discover the life cycles of Maui’s fascinating creatures and explore the wetlands where they thrive.

December 16: Everything's Connected

As we conclude our program, we will take some time to reflect on how cycles in nature are connected to one another and how we are connected to them. In Hawaiʻi “aloha ʻāina” can be viewed as a cycle in which we care for the land and the land cares for us. We hope keiki leave with a broader understanding of the cycles in nature and a deepened connection to the ʻāina.

Fall 2025 Lessons Overview

2025: September 3 – December 10. No classes on October 8 due to Nature Adventure Camp held during school breaks and is open to students, ages 6 to 11.

September 3: Welcome to Makiki Valley

We start our semester by coming together and grounding ourselves in Makiki Valley by getting to know the spaces and places we’ll be learning from this fall. As we start to map our way throughout the nature center and the valley, we will begin building our cohort community and observation skills through movement-based games and exploration.

September 10: Explore Oceania

Unit 1: Oceanic Connections |begins with the study of and the “3 W’s” of Dispersal.” Wind, waves and wings move people, plants and animals across islands. Connect distant places to our home and classroom as student become acquainted and start their unit project on the scientific method through water quality testing of the stream.

September 17: Wild Wings of Oceania

Feathers, flight, and migration will shape our journey as we learn about birds such as the Albatross and others whose flights take them throughout Oceania. Join us as we learn how birds act as travelers, storytellers, and seed-spreaders across the sea.

September 24: Wayfinding

Chart a course through traditional Polynesian navigation and see how the stars, currents, winds, and seabirds guide voyagers. We’ll peek into how the long journeys across Oceania have shaped culture, community, and life across time.

October 1: Looking Out for the Small and Leafy Things: A Close-Up with Leafy Sea Dragons

We’re zooming in on the delicate and fantastical world of leafy sea dragons as we celebrate camouflage, biodiversity, and life in miniature. This week we appreciate the small and often overlooked parts of our world, especially in the ocean, that play a big role in healthy ecosystems.

October 15: Sustainable Food Systems in Hawaiʻi – Past to Present

Unit 2: Mālama ʻĀina begins with the study of ancient fishponds to modern farms. Learn how the ʻĀina (land) nourished people through place-based food systems for thousands of years. Students learn how land feeds both the body and community. Unit project on compost.

October 22: What’s a Loʻi?

We’ll introduce the world of loʻi kalo (taro patches), where traditional farming meets ecosystem stewardship. The group will learn how water, plants, and people work together in these living systems of aloha ʻāina. We may even get the chance to see our local loʻi kalo.

October 29: Compost at Full Circle Farms in Waimānalo

Our field trip this unit will take us to Full Circle Farms in beautiful Waimānalo to see how modern farming and large-scale composting happens right here on the island. This field trip may take place during Week 6 or 7 and may be to a different farm depending on availability.

November 5: Zero Waste

We’re thinking about the waste we create and how to reduce our impact and practice sustainable habits. It’s time to reflect on what we’ve learned about compost and sustainability, both in the past and present throughout this unit.

November 12: Climate Change – What, When, Where, Why, How

Unit 3: Contemporary Challenges begins on climate change, why it’s happening, what it looks like, and of course what we can do both as individuals and communities.

November 19: Sea Level Rise

Our knowledge of climate change will lead us as we learn how sea level rise is shaping how coasts, creatures, and communities are adapting to a changing world. This week connects real-world science with hopeful stories of resilience.

November 26: Ocean Acidification

Join us as we dive into another symptom of climate change: ocean acidification. Through hands-on investigations, they’ll explore how a shifting sea affects life along the coastlines and beneath the waves. This week takes us into our unit experiment on the impact of acidification on shells building creatures.

Gear Up & Get Ready

Eat a hearty breakfast.
Wear clothes and closed-toe (hiking or athletic) shoes that can get wet and dirty.
Put on mosquito repellent and sunscreen at home.
Leave anything expensive, valuable, or fragile at home.

What to Pack Daily

Small backpack
Water bottle
Morning snacks and a big lunch (no refrigeration)
Extra change of clothes, raincoat/poncho and water shoes
Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
Swimsuit and towel
COVID facemasks (optional)

MAUI EDUCATION TEAM

Rachael Taylor

Maui Program Director

BIO

Ashlee Wells

Environmental Educator

BIO

Analeise Dilley

Environmental Educator

BIO

REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY – SEMESTER If enrollment is canceled 7 days or more prior to the program’s start, you will receive a refund less a $100 cancellation fee per child and associated administrative-processing fees. If enrollment is canceled within 7 days of the program’s start or up to 6 weeks after the program has begun, Hawai`i Nature Center will refund 50% of the program fee per child. HNC memberships purchased during enrollment will not be refunded. There are no refunds after the end of the sixth week of the program. No refunds or makeups for individual classes missed.

THIRD-PARTY REGISTRATION POLICY Hawai`i Nature Center does not accept third-party registration or registration on behalf of other friends or family. The registering child’s parent or guardian must be the individual to complete and submit all registration information. If we determine that a third party has completed your child’s registration, registration will be cancelled and we will refund your tuition. A $50 cancellation fee per child per week and administrative-processing fees will be charged.

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