Austin Nature & Science Center Logistics

Website: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/ansc (PDF Teacher Resource Guide)

Contact Info: 512-327-8181. For specific information about customized field experiences, choose ext. 13.

Cost: 50 cents per student for self-guided experience or $3 per student for a staff led program.

• Pre-register for self-guided or staff led experiences.

• Staff led programs can accommodate up to 60 students at one time. So you can rotate your students around the site (or around Zilker Park) if you have time or split your grade level up into 2 separate days.

• Staff is VERY flexible and will work with you to meet your needs or special requests, please call 512-327-8181 ext. 13

• Parking is under the Mopac Expressway off of Stratford Drive. Details and map are on the website.

• Lunch: There are no designated picnic spots at the Austin Nature and Science Center. There are a few picnic tables available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Bring trash bags to carry out your trash. Better yet – picnic at the tables in Zilker Park.

• Don’t forget to bring plenty of teachers and chaperones. The lower the ratio of teachers to students, the better educational experience for everybody.

• Call and request teacher pre-packet information for your program before you arrive. It’s best to visit the site before your scheduled field experience so you know where to take the students and are better prepared.

• Bring: water bottles, hats, sunscreen, coolers for lunches and trash bags.

• Don’t miss exploring the entire site! The 5 acre Nature Center has both indoor and outdoor exhibits.

• Zilker Nature Preserve is adjacent to the site with a trail leading from the Nature Center. There are over 2 miles of trails over 60 acres. Great place to practice field journaling! Additional Programs that can be customized for your middle schoolers:

o Astronomy program with a visit to the Star Lab Inflatable Planetarium

o Minerals, Rock and Fossil program at Pease Park

o Caving! Break up your group (12 students max at a time) and experience this 3 hour amazing adventure through a wild cave. Cost is $17 per student. Great for confidence and team building!

• Other great nearby places of interest:

o Zilker Botanical Garden

o Umlauf Sculpture Garden

o Splash into the Edwards Aquifer at the Sheffield Education Exhibit in Zilker Park