WEMBLEY WORKSHOP FIELD GUIDE
Inside the Lab: Homeschool Days in Palaeo for Teens at Wembley
A focused 1 h 45 min afternoon program at the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum for homeschooling youth aged 12 and up, pairing a curator-led palaeo talk with rotating hands-on fossil lab sessions.
Inside the Lab: Homeschool Days in Palaeo for Teens at Wembley.
Homeschool Days: Palaeo Seniors places teens inside the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum’s working spaces, where a curator-led Palaeo Talk segues into a hands-on lab session and rotating activities that change each visit. The program bundles a short theatre presentation with practical work in the fossil lab to give students direct contact with the techniques and material of modern paleontology.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Palaeo Talk with the Curator
A scheduled Palaeo Talk in the museum theatre is delivered by curator Dr. Bamforth; the talk topic changes for each homeschool day, offering fresh context for the lab sessions that follow.
Hands-on Fossil Activities
After the talk, students move to the fossil lab for guided, hands-on activities run by the palaeo team; examples include lab and collections tours, micro‑fossil sorting, fossil preparation and fossil jacketing, and the exact activity changes each homeschool day.
Designed for Teens (12+)
This programming is designed for homeschool students age 12 and up; parents and guardians should note the age restriction and that the lab work requires fine motor skill, patience and attention to detail.
What the day feels like
What the afternoon feels like
The session unfolds as an afternoon workshop: an initial Palaeo Talk in the theatre introduces the day’s focus, then the group moves into the fossil lab for a guided tour and a practical activity. The program is compact and deliberately hands-on, with each homeschool day presenting a different lab focus so repeat visits yield new experiences.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this program suits best — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Fossil Lab programming runs in the afternoon; sessions operate within the 1:15 PM–3:00 PM window for a total duration of 1 hour 45 minutes.
There is no specialized gear required; note that lab work requires fine motor skills and patience—plan for an indoor, hands-on activity and bring any personal items students may need for comfort or concentration.
The program is scheduled for the 2025–2026 school year; if a session is full, contact the museum to be placed on a waitlist or to discuss exceptions to the age requirement.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What ages can attend Homeschool Days: Palaeo Seniors?
Students must be age 12 and up; exceptions may be discussed with the museum on a case-by-case basis.
How long is the program?
The afternoon session totals 1 hour 45 minutes, with activities scheduled between 1:15 PM and 3:00 PM.
What happens during a typical Homeschool Day?
A Palaeo Talk is delivered in the theatre (starting at 1:15 PM), followed by a lab tour and hands-on fossil activity in the Fossil Lab (from 1:45 PM); the specific lab activity changes for each homeschool day.
What types of lab activities can students expect?
Examples include lab and collections tours, micro‑fossil sorting, fossil preparation and fossil jacketing; the exact activity offered varies by date.
Is there a waitlist or exceptions process?
If a program is full or if you need to discuss an age exception, contact the museum to request being placed on a waitlist or to speak with staff.