BANGOR – With the fall season upon us, so is the new home school season at the Maine Discovery Museum.

In traditional hands-on fashion, the museum’s home school science programs are all about getting elbow deep in discovery, exploration and expression based on scientific methods.

Each month a new topic will be discussed: October: Amazing Earth Sciences; November: Small Wonders; December: Aquatic Life.

“Our emphasis in the home school program is on science education, but we also include aspects of the arts and social studies,” said Trudi Plummer, director of education.

Since the numbers of the home schoolers are growing, the museum found that its home school programs had to do some growing, too.

This year an advanced workshop to accommodate the students who have been attending our classes since they began in 2003 has been added.

The advanced workshops will include more in-depth studies, advanced dissecting, categorizing and techniques using the microscope, and writing in individual science journals.

Home school workshops are offered Thursdays with pupils placed in three groups according to age and experience.

. Workshop 1, 10-11 a.m., ages 7 and up.

. Workshop 2, 11:15 a.m.-noon, pre-schoolers, age 4, 5 and 6.

. Advanced workshop, 1-2 p.m., ages 8 and up who have attended at least two semesters of museum home school classes or six months of workshops.

Sign-up for the home school program began Sept. 6, and classes begin Oct. 5. Fees range from $4 to $6 per class.

Additional fees include $2 per month per child for materials. Museum admission is not included. Some financial aid is available; applications are available at the museum.

Registration and payments are due by the month. Space is limited.

If the museum cancels a workshop due to inclement weather or other emergencies, a full refund or credit will be issued.

Call the museum at 262-7200 to learn more.