Two kids in creek

Schoolhouse FAQ

If you don’t find your answer here, please send an email to museumschoolhouse@lifeandscience.org for more information

What do I need to make a reservation?

To register for class, you need an UltraCamp class account. Please visit Create an Account. We recommend setting up your profile ahead of the registration date so you can sign up for class as quickly and easily as possible. Once your registration is complete, add details for every student in your household. Just choose “Add a person…” It’s that easy! On the day of registration click the Purchase button below and start a reservation to purchase classes for each of your students.

If you are experiencing trouble with registering or do not have access to a computer, please call our Reservations Staff at (919) 220-5429 ext. 313.

When can I register for Museum Schoolhouse classes?

Registration for this winter/spring will open mid-November. Registration closes the weekend before classes begin. Make sure you are notified by signing up at our listserv.

Which age group should I register my child for?

Register for the class that corresponds to your child’s age on September 1. We recommend the following ages for each grade. Exceptions must be approved by the Program Coordinator and the class teacher and can be requested by emailing museumschoolhouse@lifeandscience.org

Grade Age
K-2nd 5-8
3rd-5th 8-11
6th-8th 11-13

Five-year-olds must reach their 5th birthday by September 1. Proof of age may be required. All students must be potty-trained prior to starting class.

We understand and expect that many of our students have extensive knowledge of particular subjects and may be intellectually gifted. We design our curricula with a wide range of abilities in mind for each developmental stage. Our curricula are also designed so that educators can vary their lesson plans based on the interests and levels of student and class.

Is there a waitlist for full classes?

Yes, a waitlist will become available once a class has been filled.  To sign up for the waitlist, first sign into your UltraCamp account and then go to “Make a Reservation.” You will find the waitlist sign-up at the bottom of the list of available classes. If a space becomes available, you’ll receive an email from UltraCamp with further registration instructions.  You will have two days to make the reservation or the spot will move on to the next person.

Is there a cancellation policy?

The Museum can grant refunds and perform session changes only when received five weeks before the class begins. There is a $50 cancellation fee for each class and a $30 fee for session changes. After the dates above we are not able to process any changes or refunds.

Do I pay in full or can I pay a deposit?

A $50 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration. Payment in full is due two weeks prior to the first day of class.

Are you able to accommodate my child with medical allergies and/or special needs?

Yes! The Museum is committed to full and equal opportunity for children to enjoy the class experience and reasonable modifications will be considered. If your child has serious behavioral, physical, or psychological considerations, please discuss student readiness with the Program Coordinator directly at museumschoolhouse@lifeandscience.org. We are also happy to work with you to accommodate food allergies/intolerances.

What should my child bring to class?

All students need to bring a face mask (and a spare if possible), a water bottle, a snack, and an extra change of clothes. All classes have snack time, which will also be indicated in your welcome email the week before class starts. Please label all items. Students should dress in comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes for indoor and outdoor Museum exploration.

Is there a way for me to know what my child will do in their class?

The week before class, you will receive an email with your class name, location, and other information about the class. During the semester you will have access to a Google Classroom that provides information on the content covered in class and homework, if applicable.

What should I expect on my first day of class?

Parents can begin dropping of their student 5 minutes prior to your class start time. Parents are expected to walk their student to the picnic table area for check-in. When checking in, you will have a chance to review your child’s roster information and add any additional people for pickup. All adults are required to show an ID to sign out their student, every day of class, so please have your ID ready to show a staff member when you arrive.

You will receive a Welcome email at least a week before class starts which will give you more information about your specific class.

What do I do if I need to pick up my child early from class?

If possible, please let your student’s teacher or the Program Coordinator know ahead of time so they can have your student ready to go. However, we understand that plans sometimes change. You can always call our Coordinator directly at 919-391-9279 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. When arriving outside normal pickup times, please go to the front admission desk and have them radio your class since they may be in the exhibits or out learning in the Museum.

Can I stay at the Museum while my child is in class?

While your child is in class, you are welcome to stay in our picnic area. You may explore the Museum and Sprout Cafe during your child’s class by purchasing a ticket through the Museum’s website the Thursday before your child’s class.

What do I do if I need someone else to pick up my child from class?

Authorized pickups are entered through your UltraCamp account and can be adjusted up to the week proceeding class. After that time, authorized pickups can be entered manually into our class rosters. On the first day of class, please be sure to check your child’s roster for the names of individuals authorized for pick up and add anyone else. You can also speak with or contact staff with changes during the week.

Changes to Drop off and Pick up

Drop off will start 10 minutes before class begins and take place on the south side of campus near the picnic tables where you will meet the educators. Masks will be optional for caregivers and students during the check-in process. On the first day of class you will have the opportunity to double-check the registration information for your child.

Pick-up will start 5 minutes before class ends. The educator and other staff will be checking students out at the end of class from the same area as check-in. You must have an I.D. for us to check against the authorized pick up list.

What will happen if the Museum must close again?

Each in person class will have a continued virtual option at a discounted rate should the Museum need to close its campus. If you do not wish to continue the class virtually, you will receive a partial reimbursement depending on the number of classes completed.

Who will be required to wear masks?

We acknowledge that there will likely be a good deal of change regarding mask and COVID safety between now and September. As of now our current mask policy is below but we reserve the right to change the policy based on government and health professionals’ recommendations:

  • All Museum Educators will wear masks while indoors except when actively eating or drinking.
  • All students will also wear masks while indoors. Students will be permitted indoor mask breaks when physically distanced from other students.

What will cleaning procedures entail? What products do you use?

We sanitize spaces daily and will sanitize any shared materials between uses.

What happens if someone in class displays symptoms of COVID-19?

  • If a student demonstrates COVID-like symptoms in class, they will be moved to an isolated, outdoor location under supervision and caregivers will be notified for immediate pick-up.
  • Any student who is sent home with COVID-like symptoms will be asked to stay home until receiving a negative COVID test and approval to return from a health professional, OR until they have been fever and fever medication-free for 72 hours, have improved symptoms, AND at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
  • If someone is sent home from class for COVID-like symptoms, we will follow the Health Department’s guidance for contact tracing and inform families from all groups who may have been exposed.
  • We request that families remain in contact with us post-class and let us know if they find that their child may have been COVID-19 positive during the class. If this is the case, we will notify all students and staff who may have been in contact with the student. If there are indications that a staff member or student with COVID-19 (symptomatic or asymptomatic) has attended class, we will notify families immediately.
  • Fully vaccinated staff or students who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID with no COVID-like symptoms will quarantine for 3 days before being tested. They are welcome to return to class once this period has ended AND they have received a negative test.
  • Fully vaccinated staff or students who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms will be asked to test immediately. With two negative test results 24 hours apart, they will be able to return once they are symptom-free for 24 hours.
  • As medical information is updated, this policy is subject to change based on government and health professionals’ recommendations. We will update this page and email registered families should change in policy occur

What should I do if I have symptoms or test positive after attending class?

Please let us know if you have a fever or if anyone in your household tests positive for COVID-19 within the two weeks after attending class.

What if my student or someone in my household is at a high risk for contracting COVID-19?

If you are not sure if you should attend class, please discuss it with your medical provider. Anyone who is at higher risk for severe illness if infected by COVID-19, including people with moderate to severe asthma, diabetes, or are immunocompromised, OR anyone who shared a household with one of these underlying conditions should seriously consider not attending class this fall.

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