On-Site Student Field Experiences
The McDonald Observatory is located 450 miles west of Austin, Texas. The Student Field Experience program is an opportunity for your students to visit the astronomical research facility in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. All school groups are responsible for their own transportation needs while at McDonald Observatory.
All Student Field Experience programs include three basic elements described below. For groups of 30 or fewer students, we offer an Enriched program for an additional fee, which includes a classroom activity. Your students may join the public Twilight Program and Star Party (available on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only) for additional fees. With advance arrangements, meals can be purchased in the StarDate Café. We encourage you to download and use these pre-visit and post-visit activities, which are intended to engage students before the trip, and to reinforce what they learned after they return to their classroom. The downloadable behavior expectation forms outline our expectations of your students.
The Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory features a full classroom, 90-seat theater, a telescope park, and the Decoding Starlight Exhibit Hall.
Student Field Experience programs:
• Engage students through hands-on, inquiry-based activities in an engaging environment.
• Reinforce and complement Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, and the National Science Education Standards
• Encourage science teachers to co-facilitate students’ learning experience at McDonald Observatory
General Program
For up to 80 students
The following three elements are included in all Student Field Experience programs and facilitated in inquiry-based fashion.
- Explore McDonald Observatory and see the 2.7m (107-inch) Harlan Smith Telescope
- Decoding Starlight Exhibit Hall
- Investigate Our Star, the Sun
Enriched Program
For Groups with 30 Students or Fewer
The Enriched Student Field Experience program offers the three elements listed above, plus an additional hands-on and TEKS/TAKS based activity in our multi-media classroom. The activity you choose requires students to work in cooperative groups to explore concepts and practice science skills at a deeper level. We are happy to assist you in choosing the most appropriate classroom activity for your students. Recently, we have added new activities that focus students learning on our star the Sun. See a menu of classroom activities.
Planning Your Visit
Student Field Experience programs can accommodate up to 80 students. One adult for every ten students is required, and one adult receives free Student Field Experience admission for every five students. Larger groups can request an additional program. All school groups are responsible for their own transportation needs while at McDonald Observatory. If you need to plan for more than one Student Field Experience program in a day, be sure you have additional transportation. Up to two Student Field Experience programs are permitted in one day. We can only permit one group to visit McDonald Observatory at a time, except during mealtime.
We encourage teachers to think of the Observatory as an informal extension of their classroom and science instruction. To make the most out of the visit, teachers should download TEKS/TAKS based Pre & Post Visit Activities and behavior expectation forms. After we approve your Student Field Experience request, we’ll email your itinerary along with a confirmation letter.
Request a Reservation
We strongly recommend planning your visit at least six weeks in advance. You can request a reservation with our online form.
