Blue Works Programs

• Date/Times: Tuesday, July 14 and July 21
  Session 1: July 14 – 10 am-12 pm, Ages 5-8
  Session 2: July 21 – 10 pm-12 pm, Ages 9-10
• Location: Blue Works on the Houma Maritime Campus
• Intended Audience: Young learners ages 5-10
• Event Description:  LUMCON is inviting learners and parents to Blue Works for our Summer Marine Science Summit, a day of scientific exploration designed for small hands! Activities will be centered on topics like navigation and wayfinding, using microscopes, practicing laboratory skills, and exploring engineering and robotics. This event is entirely free and open to all students ages 5-10. Register your student now for a day of discovery in marine science!
• Program Type: In-person. Learners must be accompanied by an adult family member who is willing to participate in activities. Because of the type of programming and activities only students within the intended ages are eligible for each session.
• Pre-registration is required.  Click here to register.
• Program Contact: [email protected]

Currently, no summer programs at Blue Works for middle school students are planned for this coming summer. Check back or watch for announcements on our social media.

Programs are be designed for the summer of 2027. Watch for future program announcements on our social media accounts.

• Audience: Homeschool Students in grades 7th -12th (This is a drop-off student program)
• Description: This program is a weekly homeschool class designed to enrich student science learning and engagement with Louisiana focused marine/coastal science topics.  During each session, students will learn the science behind current and emerging topics that our communities come across every day.  Each week introduces a new theme and topic that makes relevant Louisiana connections to their science curriculum through hands-on investigative exploration and skill-building activities.  The program also includes the requirement for independent research projects so students can apply STEAM skills to answer questions and imagine the future of marine science innovation.
• Program Duration:   There are seven sessions per semester (1 session each week).  The fall semester programs are offered from September through November. The Spring semester program is offered from January through mid-April.
• Student Learning Outcomes:

• • Increase student ocean literacy and awareness through experiential learning and activities designed to build STEAM skills
  • Network with LUMCON scientists and educators in an academic research facility
  • Increase their problem-solving skills, ability to understand how science works, science communication, and collaboration skills through daily and project-based activities
  • Complete independent research projects to develop science and communication skills, gain confidence in answering complex questions, explore possible career paths, and find inspiration in topics relevant to their communities
• Increase student ocean literacy and awareness through experiential learning and activities designed to build STEAM skills
• Network with LUMCON scientists and educators in an academic research facility
• Increase their problem-solving skills, ability to understand how science works, science communication, and collaboration skills through daily and project-based activities
• Complete independent research projects to develop science and communication skills, gain confidence in answering complex questions, explore possible career paths, and find inspiration in topics relevant to their communities

Upcoming Semester Information (Fall 2026)

Dates: Fall 2026  – Tuesdays from September 15 to October 27

Times: Each session is from 9am am to 3:30 pm

Location: Sessions will take place at the Blue Works Facility on the Houma Maritime Campus. 335 Dickson Road, Houma LA

Space availability: 20 students/semester. Pre- registration is required. ONLY registered participants are allowed to attend Homeschool Days (no younger or older non-registered siblings).

Cost: $175/student.  Lunch and all program activities and materials are provided. No additional costs will apply to the program. Payment must be received before or on the first day of the semester.

Semester Themes: Coastal Ecosystem Science – No prior laboratory or research experience is needed. Students will be guided through each investigation and will build the skills and confidence needed to be successful, regardless of their starting point.

Program Agenda

• Week 1: Field Sampling & Coastal Research Methods

Students learn research techniques, field sampling procedures, and laboratory practices used to investigate coastal environments.

• Week 2: Coastal Water Chemistry & Oxygen Dynamics

Students investigate how physical and chemical processes influence water quality, including temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen.

• Week 3: Respiration & Biological Oxygen Demand

Students explore how organisms affect coastal systems by measuring biological processes that influence oxygen availability.

• Week 4: Carbon Chemistry & Coastal Buffering

Students investigate carbon cycling and the chemical processes that help regulate coastal water conditions.

• Week 5: Nutrients, Productivity & Eutrophication

Students examine how nutrients influence ecosystem productivity and explore the causes and impacts of coastal water quality changes.

• Week 6: Sediment Chemistry & Coastal Processes

Students investigate sediment characteristics and chemical processes that reveal how coastal environments function and change.

• Week 7: Coastal Research Communication

Students analyze their findings, connect their investigations, and communicate what they learned about coastal systems.

• Audience: Homeschool Students in grades 4th -6th (This is a drop-off student program)
• Description: This three (3) week program is a weekly homeschool class designed to enrich student science learning and engagement with Louisiana focused marine/coastal science topics.  During each session, students will learn through hands-on exploration about marine science topics and research methods. Each Minimester will focus on one anchoring theme and/or skill that will allow students to use investigation and the scientific process to answer testable questions.
• Program Duration:   There are three (3) sessions per Minimester (1 session each week).  The fall semester programs will typical occur from September through November. The Spring semester programs will typical occur from late-January through mid-April.  Dates for the upcoming Minimester will be posted under the “Upcoming Minimester” section below.
• Student Learning Outcomes: Students that participate in Minimesters will gain knowledge, experience and confidence in the following:
  • Using research equipment and methods
  • Completing the scientific process
  • Using data to answer testable questions
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Communicating about science

Upcoming Minimesters Information

(Two different Minimesters planned for Fall 2026)

Early Fall 2026 – The Living Marsh

Dates: Early Spring 2026 – Each Thursday from September 10 to September 24, 2026

Times: Each session is from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Sessions will take place at the Blue Works Facility on the Houma Maritime Campus at 335 Dickson Road, Houma LA

Space availability: 12 students/minimester. Pre-registration is required. ONLY registered participants are allowed to attend Homeschool Days (no younger or older non-registered siblings).

Cost: $75/student.  All program activities, materials, and snacks are provided.  Students will need to bring a packed lunch. No additional costs will apply to the program. Payment must be received before or on the first day of the semester.

Semester Themes: The Early Fall 2026 Minimester will focus on how the parts of a marsh we can see, and the parts we can’t, work together to build a healthy ecosystem.

• Session #1: Above Ground. What can we learn from what we can see? (adaptations, measuring plant health, and identification)
• Session #2: Beneath the Marsh. What secrets are hidden underground? (roots and sediments)
• Session #3: Life in the Marsh. How are plants and animals connected? (plant and animal interactions and relationships)

Late Fall 2026 – How water shapes our world

Dates: Late Fall 2026 – Each Thursday from October 15 to October 29, 2026

Times: Each session is from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Sessions will take place at the Blue Works Facility on the Houma Maritime Campus at 335 Dickson Road, Houma LA

Space availability: 12 students/minimester. Pre-registration is required. ONLY registered participants are allowed to attend Homeschool Days (no younger or older non-registered siblings).

Cost: $75/student.  All program activities, materials, and snacks are provided. Students will need to bring a packed lunch. No additional costs will apply to the program. Payment must be received before or on the first day of the semester.

Semester Themes: The Late Spring 2026 Minimester will focus how can something as simple as water shape an entire world?

From carving landscapes and building Louisiana’s coast to powering ocean currents and moving massive ships, water is one of the most powerful forces on Earth. Join us this October as we investigate the science of water through hands-on experiments, engineering challenges, and interactive investigations. Discover how water moves, carries energy, shapes our coastline, and influences life above and below the surface. Students will gain knowledge, experience and confidence while investigating the following:

• the unique properties of water
• water at work
• currents and exploring the deep
• life in and with water

• Audience: Middle School (grades 6-8) to High School (grades 9-12) students
• Program Type: In-person
• Description: LUMCON seeks to support students through program activities that develop learner skills, academic and professional development, and mentor networks. The type of activities will vary from session to session based on student interests and available programming. Sessions will include time for students to independently explore their interests in science with LUMCON staff and community partners.
• Program Duration: Students will register for the program by semester. There are 2 sessions a week per semester. The fall semester program begins in September and runs through mid-November. The Spring semester program runs from February through mid-April.
• Upcoming Program Activity: We’ll begin our after-school program in Fall of 2025.

Intended Audience: General Public – adults 18 y.o. or older

Description: Gulf Lagniappe Workshops are designed to help Louisiana residents learn more about the scientific research being conducted on Louisiana’s coast and the Gulf of Mexico.  These workshops are an opportunity for people to interact with a LUMCON science staff and marine educators in a relaxed environment and format.  These workshops usually include short presentations, active discussions, hands-on activities, and demonstrations of research methods and/or equipment.  

Workshop Length: 2-4 hours (weekends, evenings)

• Intended Audience: The STEM Startup Lab welcomes curious and motivated learners who want to build practical skills in science and technology. Workshops are designed to be accessible to all experience levels
• Description:  The STEM Startup Lab is a product-driven learning space where students explore science and technology through creation. From building prototypes to analyzing data, participants gain experience using industry tools and practices while developing solutions with real-world relevance. Because STEM success depends on more than technical know-how, the STEM Startup Lab intentionally integrates soft skill training—such as teamwork, communication, and project planning—into every experience. These skills help learners take ownership of their work, collaborate effectively, and navigate  challenges to ehance problem-solving skills. The focus is on learning by doing—turning ideas into practical outcomes that inspire discovery.
• Program Timing: Programs are offered in one (1)- to three (3)-session formats, with each session ranging from one (1) to four (4) hours, depending on the complexity of the topic and the skills or projects involved.

Upcoming Labs

January 2026: Excel Skills for Science & Data

Get hands-on experience with one of the most powerful tools in STEM! In this workshop series, you’ll learn how to use Microsoft Excel to manage, analyze and visualize data-essential skills for research, lab work and future STEM careers.

Join LUMCON’s STEM Startup Lab for 3 sessions of fun, hands-on, product driven explorations into Excel where you’ll learn to:

• Tame messy data and keep it organized
• Build clear, professional tables
• Create graphs that tell your story
• Use basic stats to uncover what data is telling you

This opportunity is perfect for anyone new to Excel or ready to take their skills to the next level. It is designed to support Students and early-career undergraduates looking to strengthen data skills for research and project work—no experience needed!

• Dates: January 6^th, January 13^th, and January 20^th, 2026
• Time: 4-6 pm
• Cost: $70/person
• Location: LUMCON Blue Works on the Houma Maritime Campus – 335 Dickson Road, Houma, Louisiana
• Registration: Click here to register

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• Intended Audience: Any student needing support for their science fair project
• Description: LUMCON staff are here to help support students who are interested in completing a science fair project. We will offer multiple sessions to provide our spaces, resources, and mentorship to students who are interested in completing projects related to coastal and marine science topics.  Support ranges from project idea feedback, project mentorship, research project resources, experimental design feedback, data analysis tools, skills, and feedback, project board design supplies and feedback, and competition prep support. Dates and times will be announced on our website, socials, and through our email contact list.
• Workshop Length: 1-4 hours/session (weekends, afternoons, evenings)
• Program Start: We will begin hosting opportunities in the late summer – early fall

Description: The Lab @ LUMCON is a fun, interactive program where parents explore coastal and marine science in a hands-on, relaxed setting without childern. You don’t need a science background, just curiosity! Each session introduces marine science topics, activities, and skills that you can use to inspire and guide your young scientists at home. From using basic lab techniques, collecting samples, or using engineering skills,  The Lab gives parents the confidence to ask questions, make observations, and spark discovery alongside their children. Whether you’re a homeschool parent, a curious caregiver, or just someone who wants to better understand Louisiana’s coasts, The Lab @ LUMCON is your space to learn, explore, and connect, with science and with other parents.

Topics: Topics will be discussed from the basic level to more advanced levels as needed.

Workshop Length: 2-4 hours (weekends, evenings)

Upcoming Events: Currently we have no workshops planned. Our programs are being rapidly developed so please check with us for updates.

LUMCON offers several programs for preK-12, non-formal, and university educators to extend their content knowledge and capacities in teaching science with a marine science and coastal Louisiana flair. These programs help teachers understand the scientific process, learn marine and coastal science, and gain confidence in active learning methods. In addition, workshops (lasting 4 hours to 1 week) can be designed to meet school or district needs for professional development for teachers. Workshops offered at Blue Works focus on the intersection of technology and marine science.  Specializing in ocean exploration, biotech, data science, and science communication. As always, LUMCON program activities lean heavily on the place-based and skill-based.

Upcoming Events: Currently, there are no planned teacher professional development activities at Blue Works. Our Blue Works programs are being rapidly developed so please check back with us.