Weekday Labs

Our interactive labs feature Museum specimens, artifacts and laboratory equipment. Students examine ancient objects, investigate technology, meet live animals or conduct scientific experiments depending on the nature of the lab booking. Each lab lasts one hour and includes admission to the Museum’s permanent exhibit halls for lab participants. Three new Weekday Lab topics are available monthly.

Weekday Labs at HMNS
Time: 9:30, 11:00 and 1:00
Dates: Select dates each month
Capacity: 25 students per lab

Weekday Labs at HMNS Sugar Land
Time: 11:00 and 1:00
Dates: Select Thursdays and Fridays each month
Capacity: 25 students per lab

We also offer individual registration labs for students that are not part of a group. We offer them both in person and virtually, and they can be purchased in our online box office! Look for (Individual) for in person individual labs, and (Virtual) for virtual individual labs. To view a schedule of our In Person Labs click here.

Frequently Asked Questions:
There are some changes to the Weekday Labs for the upcoming school year and you may have questions! We have prepared these FAQ’s to help you:

• What is the difference between a Weekday Lab and a Lab on Demand?
  Weekday Labs are scheduled labs rotated monthly and are available at a discount if booked in that month. Labs on Demand are available at the date and time of your choice and cost a bit more.
• How much do labs cost?
  Weekday Labs booked in the scheduled month cost $200. Dissection labs start at $250, but can cost more depending on specimens. Labs on Demand range in cost from $250-$500 per 25 students depending on the selection. Labs on Demand can travel to your school for an additional $75 travel fee.
• How many students do I need in order to book a Weekday Lab or Lab on Demand?
  Weekday Labs and Labs on Demand can accommodate 1-25 students per hour-long session. Multiple hour-long sessions may be booked. Lab fees are a flat rate, so there is no prorated pricing for smaller groups attending the lab.
• Are the Weekday Labs appropriate for all age groups?
  Weekday Lab curriculum is written for 1^st-8^th grade and can be adjusted to accommodate your group. Dissections are limited to 5^th grade and up.
• How do I book Labs (Weekday Labs or Labs on Demand)?
  Please fill out the Lab on Demand booking form. This form will work for both Weekday Labs and Labs on Demand. You can find a full list of Labs on Demand at hmns.org/lab.
• Are the policies for the Weekday Labs at the George Observatory the same?
  No. The George Observatory is an offsite facility, managed by HMNS, located in a state park. Due to this, the policies for the George Observatory are different than those at HMNS. George Observatory class schedule will be emailed to you separately.
• Why is the dissection lab more expensive?
  The Dissection labs are more expensive because of the specialized equipment and specimens.
• Why is there a cancellation policy?
  A 20% charge per class may be applied to any cancellations or changes made after payment is received. The Museum’s education staff is very limited. Last minute cancellations affect our staff and supply costs. This small fee covers some of our losses.
• I heard you had some special events for students and educators this year. How can I learn more?
  Sign up for our Educator eBlast! This is the best way to learn about all the upcoming events at HMNS and get in on the special events that pop up from time to time!
  Our interactive Labs on Demand offer the instructor the opportunity to select the topic that best suits their students at any given time. Labs are one hour (excluding some Advanced Labs) and can accommodate up to 25 students.
  Labs on Demand include entry to the Permanent exhibit halls for all students attending the lab and their chaperones.
  Topics include but are not limited to:
  • Physical science:
    • Chemistry
    • Force and Motion
    • Electricity
    • Light and Optics
  • History and Culture:
    • Ancient Egypt – To complement our new Egyptian exhibit hall
    • Ancient and Medieval History Topics
    • Classes based on current or past exhibitions
  • Biology:
    • Cells
    • Animal Adaptations
    • Life Cycles
  • Earth Science:
    • Rock Cycle
    • Paleontology – including our new Fossil Shark Tooth Lab
    • Earth Systems Topics (moon phases, tides, water cycle, solar system)
  • Dissection* – please enquire regarding particular specimen availability:
    • Whole organism dissections
    • Organ dissections

Do not hesitate to email or call to address your particular needs if you do not see them included on this list. We have lots of options to suit your specific needs.

Lab on Demand at HMNS and HMNS Sugar Land Locations

Time: Mutually agreed upon time
Dates: Mutually agreed upon date
Capacity: 25 students per lab
Costs are lab dependent:

$250 – standard Lab on Demand
$250 – dissection Lab on Demand (dissection lab prices may vary depending on dissection requested)
$250–$500 – Advanced Lab Topics for High School