Homeschool Classes at Edison Ford
Join us and explore the “living laboratory” of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Our Wild Wizards will challenge your mind and foster collaboration in this homeschool science and engineering series. Classes take place in an outdoor classroom environment (weather permitting). Homeschool classes at Edison Ford are aligned with Next Generation Science and Florida State Standards. Classes are a combination of instruction and hands on activities that are designed to facilitate homeschool or virtual science education. Become a family member of Edison Ford and receive discounted registration!
All classes are from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cost per class: Members: $15; Non-Members: $25
Cost for Series: Members: $100; Non-Members: $180
2026 – 2027 Curriculum:
- September: Measurements- Why Unit Conversion Matters! The history of measurement evolved from ancient body-based units (cubits, feet) to standardized, global systems from early civilizations like Egypt and Ancient Mesopotamia in the 3 to 4th millennium BC. In this homeschool class, students learn history of measurements and learn science process skills with hands-on activities with different kinds of measurements. Students will learn to use measurements to make density stackers and learn the power of doubling in a math activity!
- Wednesday, September 16, 2026 (grades 1-3)
- Thursday, September 17, 2026 (grades 4-6)
- October: Thomas Edison and Green Chemistry – Learn about the history of Green Chemistry, how it started at the property and Thomas Edison’s experiments as a chemist at the Edison Ford and Winter Estates. Students explore hands-on activities with polymers by making slime, density with lava lamps and learning states of matter, all with science process skills! Students take a tour of the 1929 Edison Botanical Research Lab.
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026 (grades 1-3)
- Thursday, October 15, 2026 (grades 4-6)
- November: Geology, Geography and Paleontology- Learn about Earth’s 4.54-billion-year geological history which covers its formation from a solar nebula, the evolution of its crust, oceans, and atmosphere, and the development of life! Learn about stratigraphy and rock cycles. Through simple hands-on activities, students use science process skills to conduct the Moh’s scale of identifying rocks and create crayon rock cycles to take home!
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026 (grades 1-3)
- Thursday, November 5, 2026 (grades 4-6)
- December: Environmental Science and Botany of the Winter Estates- Resource management and ecological awareness dates to early civilizations learning to manage natural resources as in Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Greece. Students will learn about ecology, biodiversity, sustainability and environmental stewardship. Students will take nature walks exploring seasonal plants, insects and birds of the Edison Ford Estates. With the concepts of gardening, students will learn how to sprout beans and learn about life cycles, sunlight and soil, construct and engineer a bird house to take home!
- Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (grades 1-3)
- Thursday, December 10, 2026 (grades 4-6)
- January: Henry Ford and Engineering Challenges! Learn about the history of Henry Ford as a Mechanical Engineer at the Edison Ford Museum and Winter Estates. Take a tour and see different cars at the property. And learn about Leonardo DaVinci’s Engineer marvels! Students will be introduced to Newton’s Laws of Motion, create wheels and axles with Legos, conduct parachute activities, simple catapults and car designs to take home!
- Wednesday. January 20, 2027 (grades 1-3)
- Thursday, January 21, 2027 (grades 4-6)
- February: Future with Coding and Robotics- An Edison Ford favorite! Students will be introduced to the history of computer science, the evolution of computers, and learn essential skills like logic, problem-solving and creativity through engaging, game-based platforms. Students will use apps like Scratch to create games or play logic-based board games. And use programmable robots through LEGO WEDO or Spike Essentials!
- Wednesday, February 10, 2027 (grades 1-3)
- Thursday, February 11, 2027 (grades 4-6)
- March: Space, Rockets and Physics! Step into the future and learn about space, our galaxy, planets and recent historical events with space exploration. Students conduct fun, hands-on exploration of force, motion and gravity. Key concepts include action-reaction (pushing gas down to make the rocket go up) and basic gravity. Fun simple activities like balloon rockets, straw rockets, and stomp rockets demonstrate these ideas through play!
- Wednesday, March 10, 2027 (grades 1-3)
- Thursday, March 11, 2027 (grades 4-6)
- April: Anthropology and the history of the Calusa! An introduction to the social science and study of people, cultures, and human history through play, storytelling and observation. Students will learn the history of anthropology, concepts and science process skills and steps to study the ancient Calusa peoples of the area! Students will make Calusa pottery, create masks and understand technology of the past. A great introduction to archaeology and artifacts of the Calusa in SW Florida!
- Wednesday, April 7, 2027 (grades 1-3)
- Thursday, April 8, 2027 (grades 4-6)
Registration coming soon!
Radical Robotics Day Camp
Join us as science and history come alive in our “living laboratory!” No experience is necessary to participate in these fun and fast-moving S.T.E.A.M. (science technology, engineering, art, and math) camps. For students currently in grades K-5, unless otherwise noted. Campers must bring lunches, and snacks if desired. Become a family member of Edison Ford and receive discounted registration!
Learn the essential skills of robotics in this fun, fast-moving camp perfect for students of all skill levels.
Space is limited and registration is required. Click here to register.
For more information on camps, click here.
Science Fiction & Science Fact Day Camp
Join us as science and history come alive in our “living laboratory!” No experience is necessary to participate in these fun and fast-moving S.T.E.A.M. (science technology, engineering, art, and math) camps. For students currently in grades K-5, unless otherwise noted. Campers must bring lunches, and snacks if desired. Become a family member of Edison Ford and receive discounted registration!
In this one-day camp, students will explore the basic principles of science and test their skills through projects and experiments in this one day camp.
Space is limited and registration is required. Click here to register.
For more information on camps, click here.
Pre-K Classes
Pre-School Series 2026-2027
The Pre-School Program is a 90-minute class with hands-on STEAM activities, learning through play! The class helps introduce educational readiness for kids 18 months to 5 years of age. The series supports developing social and behavioral skills with their classmates and teacher. It is structured with an hour of activities, and half an hour of independent play and snack time. 1 or 2 parents/guardians/family members can accompany the student in class.
- Friday, September 4, 2026, 10am-11:30am – Creative Math Kids – In this pre-k class, students learn basic science process skills with math, sorting, routines, and how to follow instructions in fun play activities. Students will play simple, fun hands-on activities with different kinds of fun measurements that they can find at home. Students learn to conduct a paper math activity and create density stackers! Follows Engineering/Science Standards and Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards with Social and Emotional Development, Mathematical Thinking, Scientific Inquiry, and Approaches to Learning.
- Friday, October 9, 2026, 10am-11:30am: – Little Chemistry Inventors – Learn about Chemistry and about Thomas Edison who used to live at the Edison Ford Museum and Winter Estates! Students learn science process skills and explore fun hands-on activities like milk color explosion, making slime and rubber balls. Pre-schoolers learn to sort, follow a routine, and follow instructions in fun play activities. Follows Engineering/Science Standards and Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards with Social and Emotional Development, Mathematical Thinking, Scientific Inquiry, and Approaches to Learning.
- Friday, November 6, 2026, 10am-11:30am – Dinosaur Explorers – Preschoolers learn about enormous ancient animals on Earth called Dinosaurs! Introduction to Paleontology and Geology, kids create their own dinosaurs with play doh! Students interact with different kinds of rocks and learn to organize them! Pre-schoolers learn to sort, follow a routine, follow instructions and stay with tasks in fun play activities. Follows Engineering/Science Standards and Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards with Social and Emotional Development, Mathematical Thinking, Scientific Inquiry, and Approaches to Learning.
- Friday, December 4, 2026, 10am-11:30am – Busy Bee Botanists –Pre-schoolers will take nature walks exploring seasonal plants, insects and birds of the Edison Ford Estates. Students learn how to sprout beans and learn about life cycles, sunlight and soil, and build a bird house to take home. Preschoolers learn to sort, follow a routine, follow instructions and stay with tasks in fun play activities. Follows Engineering/Science Standards and Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards with Social and Emotional Development, Mathematical Thinking, Scientific Inquiry, and Approaches to Learning.
- Friday, January 8, 2027, 10am-11:30am – Bright Engineers- Learn about Henry Ford as an Engineer at the Edison Ford Museum and Winter Estates. Pre-schoolers will take a tour and see different cars at the property. Create wheels and axles with Legos and take home their own car designs. Preschoolers will learn to sort, follow a routine, follow instructions and stay with tasks in fun play activities. Follows Engineering/Science Standards and Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards with Social and Emotional Development, Mathematical Thinking, Scientific Inquiry, and Approaches to Learning.
- Friday, February 5, 2027, 10am-11:30am – Robotic Trekkers- Pre-schoolers will learn basic logic skills and how to problem-solve directions with a fun mouse maze robotic game! Students create their own simple crafty bug bots to take home. Preschoolers learn to sort, follow a routine, follow instructions and stay with tasks in fun play activities. Follows Engineering/Science Standards and Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards with Social and Emotional Development, Mathematical Thinking, Scientific Inquiry, and Approaches to Learning.
- Friday, March 5, 2027, 10am-11:30am – Space Voyagers – Pre-schoolers learn about space and planets. Students conduct simple activities like straw rockets and engineer space rockets with LEGOs! Preschoolers learn to sort, follow a routine, follow instructions and stay with tasks in fun play activities. Follows Engineering/Science Standards and Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards with Social and Emotional Development, Mathematical Thinking, Scientific Inquiry, and Approaches to Learning.
- Friday, April 2, 2027, 10am-11:30am – Anthropology Kids- Pre-schoolers learn about storytelling, observation and the ancient Calusa people of SW Florida! Students make Calusa pottery and create masks with play doh. Preschoolers will learn to sort, follow a routine, follow instructions and stay with tasks in fun play activities. Follows Engineering/Science Standards and Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards with Social and Emotional Development, Mathematical Thinking, Scientific Inquiry, and Approaches to Learning.
Members: $15 per class; non-members: $20 per class
Registration coming soon!
