Little Learners meet 9:30AM-11AM on Wednesday mornings September through May. In this interactive educational program, designed for children aged 3-6, learners sharpen cience process skills as we experiment, read, explore, sing, and create!
In addition to structured weekly themed activities, learners have unstructured time to socialize with peers, learn problem solving, and explore our KidsPlace exhibit.
Little Learners is designed for children and participating adults. At least one adult must stay with their Little Learner(s) at all times while in Whitaker Center.
New This Year
Each month, we’re adding one Little Learners session on Saturday for weekend visitors.
Any questions or concerns can be directed to education@whitakercenter.org.
Please Note: Science Center exploration is NOT included in the price of your workshop. The Little Learners program is limited to our KidsPlace exhibit.
Other Details
Please enter through the 3rd Street entrance (This entrance can be found across the street from Strawberry Square).
Parents MUST stay with participants while in Whitaker Center!
Pricing
Members: $5 per child
Non-members: $10 per child
Each child ticket includes admission for one accompanying adult.
If inquiring about complimentary admission with an ACCESS card, please contact info@whitakercenter.org to discuss the registration process.
Plan Ahead & Secure Your Spot!
We’re thrilled to offer engaging programs at the Science Center — and we want to make sure you don’t miss out! Help us prepare and ensure the best experience for everyone by purchasing tickets in advance. Tickets are not refundable, but can be applied to a future Little Learners program upon request.
Please note: Programs require a minimum number of participants. If minimum enrollment is not met, we will notify participants two days before the scheduled date that the program is canceled. Early registration helps us keep these opportunities available! Consider adding a ticket for a friend or sibling!
Please note, the rest of the science center will NOT be available for exploration after the conclusion of Little Learners at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays.
Registration
Pre-registration is required. Registration is open until 10 am the day of the program.
This can be done in advance via the ticketing links below or by contacting the box office at 717-214-ARTS.
Thank you to Penn National Insurance for sponsoring this program.
Welcome to Spooktober!
EEK! October is a time when we see a lot of spooky or scary decorations, stories and animals, but there’s no need to be scared! Let’s learn more about these topics so we can understand them to remove any fear! We’ll end the month with a fun Halloween themed Little Learners, where everyone is welcome to come in costume!
Wednesday Oct 1st and Saturday October 4th: Creepy Crawlies
Spiders and insects may not be everyone’s favorite, but they are an important part of our ecosystem.
- What is a spider?
- What is an insect?
- Why do we need spiders and insects?
Wednesday Oct. 8th: Nighttime Noises
Did you hear that?!? What animal is making such a racket when we are trying to sleep? Let’s learn more about these creatures of the night.
- What animals are nocturnal?
- Why would an animal be nocturnal?
Wednesday Oct 15th: Meet Jack!
Who is Jack? Why is his face always orange, and his head full of seeds? Let’s find out at Little Learners this week!
- How do pumpkins grow?
- What’s inside a pumpkin?
- What can we use a pumpkin for?
Wednesday Oct 22nd: Monster Mash
Spooky Scary Skeletons, Wacky Witches, and Garish Ghouls! Let’s take the mask off of monsters and learn more about what’s real and what’s just spooky pretend.
- What is real?
- What is pretend?
- Why do we pretend?
Wednesday Oct 29th: Treat or Treat!
No Tricks Here! Come to Little Learners dressed in costume to complete some Halloween STEAM Challenges and games. We’ll even do a fun experiment together!
- How is Halloween Celebrated?
- What are good Halloween Safety Rules?
Falling Into Autumn!
This November, let’s celebrate all the things we love about Fall: apples, leaves, squash, gourds, corn and even Turkeys. We are so thankful that we get to experience all this Fall Fun with you!
Color Crunch
Saturday, Nov. 1
Wednesday, Nov. 5
9:30-11AM
Red, Green, Gold, Apples can be very colorful! But why? Does the color affect the way it tastes? Let’s explore and find out!
- Why are apples different colors?
- How do Apple grow?
- What do we use Apples for?
Corny Cornucopia
Wednesday, Nov. 12
9:30-11AM
Pumpkins may get all the love in October, but in November let’s explore other Fall vegetables like squash, gourds, corn and more!
- What are Corn, Squash and Gourds?
- How do they grow?
- What do we use them for?
Autumn Rainbow
Wednesday, Nov. 19
9:30-11AM
It’s Autumn and the leaves are changing colors and falling off the trees, but why? Let’s find out!
- Why do leaves fall off trees?
- Why do leaves change colors?
- How do leaves help trees?
Thankful Turkeys
Wednesday, Nov. 26
9:30-11AM
This time of year, you might be thinking of Turkeys and Togetherness! Let’s celebrate both! We’ll do some thankful activities as well as learn more about Turkeys!
- What are turkeys?
- What can we be thankful for?
- How can we show kindness and gratitude to others?
Warm And Fuzzy
In the month of December we’ll celebrate the warm fuzzy feelings you get during family traditions and togetherness time. Hopefully these fun activities give you the warm fuzzies as well!
Run, Ginger, Run!
Wednesday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 6
9:30-11AM
Can you catch the Gingerbread Man? Let’s explore this and make our own “Gingerbread” potpourri cutouts to take home.
- What pulls objects down a ramp?
- What is a pattern? How do I make one?
- How can I represent a number?
Seasonal Sense-sational
Wednesday, Dec. 10
9:30-11AM
It’s almost Winter! It gets darker earlier, days are getting colder, and we’re starting to see the signs of winter all around. Let’s explore some of the different smells, tastes and touches that make winter so much fun!
- What are the signs of Winter?
- What are some smells we associate with Winter?
- What are some tastes we associate with Winter?
Jingle Jams and Jammies
Wednesday, Dec. 17
9:30-11AM
Jingle Bells, Ms. Elyse Tells, Come dressed in your Pajamas! It’s time for Jingle Jams and Jammies, where we’ll explore sound, make music and as always, go through our annual Jingle bell obstacle course!
- Why do bells make sounds?
- How can we make different sounds?
- How can we stop sound?