Courses FAQ

Thank you for taking an interest in enrolling in a summer course at the Museum of Science! Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding our summer offerings.

General Information
• What are the dates of the Museum's summer courses?
• What are the fees and schedule?
• Are all the courses listed in the catalog / on the Web?
• How do I know which courses are right for my student?
• What is offered for children in grades 1 - 3?
• Can my child miss a day or two during the course?
• I would like to see how my child is doing in their course. Is that possible?
• I have a question that is not listed; who can I contact?

Cost and Registration
• How much do the courses cost?
• What is included in the cost of each course?
• I am a member of the Museum; do I receive a discount on a course?
• Does the Museum offer scholarships?
• How do I enroll in a course?
• How will I know if I have successfully enrolled in a course?
• Is it possible to sign up for a course and pay later?
• Something has come up and I need to cancel my course enrollment. Will I receive a refund?
• Are courses fees tax deductible?

Safety and Special Needs
• My child has special needs. Can he/she still participate in a course at the Museum?
• How do I know my child is safe during the courses?

Drop-off, Pick-up, and Lunch
• Is lunch provided for those students in full-day programs?
• Will my child be supervised during lunch? What will he/she do during lunch? Where do they eat lunch?
• Is it possible to drop my student off before the start of a course? Is it possible to pick my student up later than the course ending time?

General Information

What are the dates of the Museum's summer courses?

The Museum's summer session starts the week of July 6 and continues through the week of August 10. Courses run Monday through Friday.

What are the fees and schedule?

Fees
Full Day	$550
Either combine a morning session with an afternoon session, or choose a day-long course.
Half Day	$275
Early-Morning Drop-Off (8:00 - 9:00 a.m.)	$25
Late Stay (4:00 - 6:00 p.m.)	$40
For tax purposes, courses qualify as an eligible dependent care expense.

Schedule
Courses begin on the Monday of each week, July 6 - August 10. Each course is five days in length with the exception of the Summer Game Academy.
Mornings	9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (8:30 a.m. drop-off)
Afternoons	1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (12:30 p.m. drop-off)

Are all the courses listed in the catalog / on the Web?

Check the online catalog for the most accurate, up-to-date information on course availability.

How do I know which courses are right for my student?

There are grade guidelines set for each course. The Museum has designed the courses around academic ability, social development, and dexterity.

Grades listed for summer programs should match the grade the child will enter next fall.

What is offered for children in grades 1 - 3?

Summer Science Explorers is specially geared toward young learners. Each week follows a program that explores a different science topic, incorporating everything the Museum has to offer: live presentations, exhibits, special guests, hands-on learning, and more. Each session of each day (morning and afternoon) brings a new adventure.

Can my child miss a day or two during the course?

We recommend against this. Curriculum is planned for the full five-day range. If your summer plans do not permit your child to participate in the full length of the program, he/she is unlikely to have the positive learning experience that he/she expects.

I would like to see how my child is doing in their course. Is that possible?

You are always welcome to accompany your child to their classroom and stay for 5 - 10 minutes to make sure he/she has settled in.

Most but not all summer courses include a specific "Meet the Teacher" day or time at the end of the week for students to showcase their work.

I have a question that is not listed; who can I contact?

Please contact Science Central at 617-723-2500.

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Cost and Registration

How much do the courses cost?

The weeklong summer classes cost $275 per week for a half day. A full day costs $550.

What is included in the cost of each course?

Each course fee includes all course materials and instruction. Although the fee also includes a light snack, it does not include lunch.

I am a member of the Museum; do I receive a discount on a course?

This year, courses are available only to members and include the courses discount members received in past years.

Does the Museum offer scholarships?

Yes, but all of the 2009 funding has been allocated.

How do I enroll in a course?

Visit our course catalog and online registration. You can also call Science Central at 617-723-2500 and we can help you with enrollment over the phone. Unfortunately, we cannot process enrollments in person at the Museum.

How will I know if I have successfully enrolled in a course?

The Museum will send you an email confirmation about your course. Please call Science Central if you do not receive a confirmation.

Is it possible to sign up for a course and pay later?

Unfortunately, no. We currently accept only credit card payments for courses (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express).

Something has come up and I need to cancel my course enrollment. Will I receive a refund?

If you contact Museum about the cancellation before April 15, you will receive a full refund, minus a $20 processing fee. After that date, we are unable to give full refunds.

Are courses fees tax deductible?

For tax purposes, courses qualify as an eligible dependent care expense.

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Safety and Special Needs

My child has special needs. Can he/she still participate in a course at the Museum?

Absolutely. The Courses program welcomes special needs students. Please make a note on your child's application so that we can ensure the best possible experience for your child.

How do I know my child is safe during the courses?

Your child's safety is the number one priority at the Museum. Courses staff as well as instructors are present at drop-off and pick-up and during classes. Staff are also present at lunchtime for those who are enrolled in morning and afternoon sessions. Your child will never be left unattended at any time.

There is a 1:8 staff to student ratio, so students are well supervised at all times.

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Drop-off, Pick-up, and Lunch

Is lunch provided for those students in full-day programs?

For students who are signed up for full day programs during our summer courses, there is an add-on lunch option available for $25. Students are not allowed to leave the program area to purchase food in the cafe. Of course, lunch may also be brought from home.

Will my child be supervised during lunch? What will he/she do during lunch? Where do they eat lunch?

Courses staff supervise full-day students during the one-hour lunchtime held in the pavilion area behind the Museum. Your child will never be left unattended at any time. After eating, students may join in board games, simple crafts, impromptu frisbee, or other non-competitive sports activities.

Is it possible to drop my student off before the start of a course? Is it possible to pick my student up later than the course ending time?

The Museum has an early morning drop-off and late stay option available for an extra fee. Early drop-off is 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. and costs $25 / week. Late stay is 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. and costs $40 / week.

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