Videoconference Programs

Stay in your classroom and visit McDonald Observatory in the “Live From McDonald Observatory” distance learning program.

These videoconference programs are science learning experiences that take you and your students on a virtual field trip to the Davis Mountains of west Texas. Videoconferences are fully interactive connections between one class (or student club) of up to 35 students. Programs are offered through Connect2Texas, search by event title or provider.

April 15-17 – Grades K-12, Astronomy Day 2020 with McDonald Observatory
Free for all

November 4-6 – Grades K-12, Astronomy Day 2020 with McDonald Observatory
Free for all

K-12 educational programs are $25 for 50 minutes unless otherwise noted (contact our education coordinator for more information for other non-K-12 school group pricing). Videoconferences are designed for individual classrooms of 35 students or less. While most videoconferences are recommended for grades 3-12, K-2 students also enjoy the special treat to connect with a real Observatory.

The content of all videoconferences is aligned with Texas science standards. We offer many different videoconferences that include engaging experiences such as: take your students on a virtual tour of McDonald Observatory; complete a hands-on activity; see unique science demonstrations; and get live telescopic views sent to your classroom of the Sun, Moon and Venus from telescopes equipped with special video cameras and solar filters. Below is a menu of currently available videoconference titles for grades 3-12 and important documents for each program. The documents for each program include a student sheet, teacher guide, pre- and post- conference assessment, suggestions for pre- and post- activities, and more. To participate, review our registration and videoconference requirements.

Program Descriptions and Downloads

Observing the Sun and its Features

In this 50-minute videoconference program, students are given a brief introduction to the UT McDonald Observatory, make live telescope observations of our star the Sun with telescopes equipped with special video cameras and solar filters, complete their student sheet, and learn about the solar features they’ve seen by watching unique science demonstrations. Students can ask their questions to your videoconference facilitator during the Q/A period at the end of the videoconference. Telescope views will be real time; in case of inclement weather or equipment problems, recorded views will be provided.

	Grade Level
Student Sheet	3-5	6-8	9-12
Required Activity Materials	N/A	N/A	N/A
Teacher Guide	3-5	6-8	9-12
Pre-Conference Assessment	3-5	6-8	9-12
Pre-Conference Activity	3-5	N/A	9-12
Post-Conference Assessment	3-5	6-8	9-12
Post-Conference Activity	3-5	6-8	9-12
Related TEKS, NSES	3-5	6-8	9-12
Videoconference Evaluation Form	Same for all
Additional PDF's	N/A	N/A	N/A

Observing the Planet Venus: Explore How it Changes

In this 50-minute videoconference program, students are given a brief introduction to the UT McDonald Observatory, make live telescope observations of Venus with telescopes equipped with special video cameras, and complete their student sheet. By exploring Galileo’s drawings and watching videoconference demonstrations, students discover the reason the apparent size of Venus changes while it orbits the Sun. Students can ask their questions to your videoconference facilitator during the Q/A period at the end of the videoconference. Telescope views will be real time; in case of inclement weather or equipment problems, recorded views will be provided.

	Grade Level
Student Sheet	3-5	6-8	9-12
Required Activity Materials	N/A	N/A	N/A
Teacher Guide	3-5	6-8	9-12
Pre-Conference Assessment	3-5	6-8	9-12
Pre-Conference Activity	3-5	6-8	9-12
Post-Conference Assessment	3-5	6-8	9-12
Post-Conference Activity	3-5	6-8	9-12, 9-12
Related TEKS, NSES	3-5	6-8	9-12
Videoconference Evaluation Form	Same for all
Additional PDF's	N/A	N/A	N/A

Discover Our Solar System: Make A Size Scale Model

In this 50-minute videoconference program, students are given a brief introduction to the UT McDonald Observatory and then they make a volume and distance scale model of two objects in the Solar System. Teachers do not reveal that the two objects they make are the Earth and Moon until the end. Students can ask their questions to your videoconference facilitator during the Q/A period at the end of the videoconference.

	Grade Level
Student Sheet	3-5	6-8	9-12
Required Activity Materials	3-5	6-8	9-12
Teacher Guide	3-5	6-8	9-12
Pre-Conference Assessment	3-5	6-8	9-12
Pre-Conference Activity	3-5	6-8	9-12
Post-Conference Assessment	3-5	6-8	9-12
Post-Conference Activity	3-5	6-8	9-12
Related TEKS, NSES	3-5	6-8	9-12
Videoconference Evaluation Form	Same for all
Additional PDF's	N/A	N/A	N/A

Galaxies: Make A Scale Model

In this 50-minute videoconference program, students are given a brief introduction to the UT McDonald Observatory, build a scale model of the Milky Way galaxy, complete a student sheet that explores the relative size and distribution of bright stars in our galaxy and between galaxies themselves. Students can ask their questions to your videoconference facilitator during the Q/A period at the end of the videoconference.

	Grade Level
Student Sheet	N/A	N/A	9-12
Required Activity Materials	N/A	N/A	9-12
Teacher Guide	N/A	N/A	9-12
Pre-Conference Assessment	N/A	N/A	9-12
Pre-Conference Activity	N/A	N/A	9-12
Post-Conference Assessment	N/A	N/A	9-12
Post-Conference Activity	N/A	N/A	9-12
Related TEKS, NSES	N/A	N/A	9-12
Videoconference Evaluation Form	Same for all
Additional PDF's	N/A	N/A	N/A

Telescopes, and Careers at McDonald Observatory: Virtual Tour

In this 50-minute videoconference program, students are given a brief introduction to the UT McDonald Observatory, take a virtual tour of the 2.1m (82”), complete their student sheet, and learn more about the different careers at McDonald Observatory. Students can ask their questions to your videoconference facilitator during the Q/A period at the end of the videoconference.

	Grade Level
Student Sheet	3-5	6-8	9-12
Required Activity Materials	N/A	N/A	N/A
Teacher Guide	3-5	6-8	9-12
Pre-Conference Assessment	3-5	6-8	9-12
Pre-Conference Activity	3-5	6-8	9-12
Post-Conference Assessment	3-5	6-8	9-12
Post-Conference Activity	3-5	6-8	9-12
Related TEKS, NSES	3-5	6-8	N/A
Videoconference Evaluation Form	Same for all
Additional PDF's	N/A	N/A	N/A

Students participate in a video conference learning session with Observatory staff.

Downloadable Descriptions

Student Sheet

Student sheets are designed for your students to fill in during the videoconference. You will need to copy one for each student or group of students.

Required Activity Materials Ready In Your Classroom

A list of materials you must have on-hand in addition to the student sheets for students to complete during the show. Go through the list at least one day in advance so that you can be sure that they are available.

Teacher Guide for Videoconference Content

The document that supports you as the classroom teacher. It includes ideas about potential student answers, detailed descriptions of content found in Student Sheets, and links that support your classroom instruction.

Pre-Conference Assessment

Each student should complete the assessment prior to the videoconference. The drawings and words that they use will help you gauge their pre-conceptions as well as prepare them for encountering new information.

Pre-Conference Activity

A pre-conference activity that encourages students to discuss and organize the questions they might ask during the conference.

Post-Conference Assessment

Each student should complete the post-conference assessment after the program. You should compare this assessment to the student pre-assessment sheet (all grade levels).

Post-Conference Activity

The post-conference activity will help your students transfer their McDonald Observatory experience back to the classroom science curriculum. If you did not complete the suggested pre-conference activities, you can still enrich your students' learning experience by doing our suggested post-conference activities. These activities are designed to provide linkage between the videoconference and your classroom science program.

Related TEKS, NSES

This is a document that lists related Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and National Science Education Standards curriculum linkages for each videoconference.

Videoconference Evaluation Form

We ask that you complete this evaluation form following the videoconference.

Additional PDF’s

Any additional PDF’s or supporting Powerpoints contained within an activity.