Discover space science and engineering through innovative activities and special guest speakers at our Home School Day. This incredible event provides a discount for home-schooled families to learn about space exploration and engage in an unforgettable day of inspiring STEM activities.
Home School Day 2021 schedule
Jan. 15 - onsite only
Feb. 19 - onsite only
Make the Museum Your Classroom
Hear first-hand space exploration stories from a NASA astronaut! Jan. 15 hear from Mike Baker, veteran of four space flights logging 40 days in space. Feb. 19 hear from Bill McArthur, veteran of four space flights logging 224 days in space. Experience our Pop-Up Science Lab demonstrations, discover our live presentations about life aboard the International Space Station and the science behind combustion.
Explore our exhibits including Mission: Control the Spread, and see how NASA continues to benefit humanity with innovations that help control the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Board the NASA Tram Tour and experience NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Walk underneath the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to get a close-up look at an important piece of reusable technology that has improved our potential for space travel.
Purchase your ticket in advance to take advantage of our Home School Day discount. Tickets purchased before the day of the event are $14.95. Tickets purchased onsite, the day of the event, are $24.95 for children and $29.95 for adults. Discounted tickets are limited. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, and discounted tickets must be purchased in advance.
Space Center Houston parking is $5. We encourage guests to purchase parking online. Cash and credit cards are accepted at the ticket booths.
Make the Museum Your Classroom
Hear from retired NASA astronaut Brian Duffy and hear about his mission experiences at 11-11:30 a.m. and 1:20-1:50 p.m. in Astronaut Gallery. Duffy was selected as an astronaut in 1985. He is a veteran of four spaceflights, logging over 40 days in space.
Experience our Pop-Up Science Lab demonstrations, discover our new live presentations about life aboard the International Space Station and the science behind combustion.
Explore our new exhibits including Apollo 13: Failure is Not an Option with an array of Apollo artifacts and Mission: Control the Spread, and see how NASA continues to benefit humanity with innovations that help control the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Board the NASA Tram Tour and experience NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Walk underneath the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to get a close-up look at an important piece of reusable technology that has improved our potential for space travel.
Purchase your ticket in advance to take advantage of our Home School Day discount. Tickets purchased now through Oct. 15 are $14.95. Tickets purchased onsite, the day of the event, are $24.95 for children and $29.95 for adults. Discounted tickets are limited. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, and discounted tickets must be purchased in advance.
Space Center Houston parking is $5. We encourage guests to purchase parking online. Cash and credit cards are accepted at the ticket booths.
Home School Day virtual experience
Our virtual event provides a unique opportunity for guests everywhere to engage in our science and space exploration activities. Discover the wonders of space science as we build simple rockets and design extraterrestrial landers.
The live virtual experience explores topics such as:
- What we need to launch off the surface of the Earth
- How we get into outer space
- What forces affect our ability to land safely on another celestial body
- What considerations we need to make as we plan for space travel
Hear from retired NASA astronaut Brian Duffy as he shares about his space missions from 1:20 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. Duffy was selected as an astronaut in 1985. He is a veteran of four spaceflights logging over 40 days in space.
Home School Day virtual experience tickets are $10.95 and must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance.
Your purchase will include a confirmation with a private online link for registered guests to join the virtual event. Please note, you cannot use the Home School Day virtual experience ticket for on-site entry to Space Center Houston.
Enhance your experience
Home School Day plus Lunch with an Astronaut
You and your family are invited to an extraordinary opportunity to have lunch with a NASA astronaut as an addition to the Home School Day experience.
This casual event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in a private setting to give you an up-close and personal opportunity to hear first-hand stories from an astronaut while enjoying a cosmic lunch prepared by our award-winning catering staff. As a special memento of your visit, you will receive a personalized photograph from our guest astronaut.
Pricing: $69.95, adult; $35.95, children (4-11 years). Ticket price includes admission to Home School Day.
Tickets are limited. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis and must be purchased in advance.
Home School Day plus Stars & STEM
You and your family will navigate your own space exploration journey while engaging in science, technology and engineering related activities. Build model rockets, explore robotics and train for spaceflight in our newly redesigned Home School Stars & STEM event Feb. 17.
Activities cover an array of difficulty levels to excite visitors of all ages. Explore robotics in our Robotics Challenge Arena where you can lead a robot through an obstacle course, program and operate a robot and more.
Build your own rocket and then see how high you can launch it. Train like an astronaut and learn about spacewalks and crew assembly.
Program includes
- Exciting, hands-on activities
- Grade-level appropriate learning
- Dinner served at Space Center Houston
- Private guided tram tour to NASA Johnson Space Center
- Second-day visit to Space Center Houston
- Film screening
Pricing $59.95 per person
Tickets are limited. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis and must be purchased in advance.
Home School Day meal options*
Add a Zero-G Diner lunch option now and save 20 percent! Lunch options include the following:
- 100 percent Angus beef hamburger and French fries
- 100 percent Angus beef cheeseburger and French fries
- Grilled jumbo hot dog and French fries
- Chicken tenders and French fries
- Two slices of cheese or pepperoni pizza (may be substituted with one slice and basket of fries)
All meals include a fountain drink of Coca-Cola products (such as soda, tea, water).
*Please note: Home School Day meal plans do not include Lunch with an Astronaut.
Space Center Houston membership
Space Center Houston members get free admission and receive free parking every day including Home School Day. An additional fee is required to participate in Home School Day Stars & STEM and Lunch with an Astronaut. Click here to learn more about becoming a member today!
Join the Home School Day list
Be the first to get news about Home School Day, including when tickets become available, by signing up for our email communications.