Videoconference Programs

Videoconference programs are science learning experiences that take you and your students on a virtual field trip to the Davis Mountains of west Texas. There are multiple ways to experience these programs:

PARTICIPATE IN AN UPCOMING PROGRAM

Students and teachers are invited to visit McDonald Observatory remotely from home or school for incredible educational experiences. Each program is 40 minutes long and requires a Zoom account for each connection. Thanks to support from Friends of the McDonald Observatory and the Meyer-Levy Charitable Foundation, these programs are available at no cost to participants.

Celebrate Astronomy Day!
(for multiple schools)

From classrooms across Texas and the US, K-12 students observe our Sun in real-time with a telescope, make their own drawings, and make STEM connections in astronomy.

This program includes the following:

An introduction to the University of Texas McDonald Observatory and the giant research telescopes used to study the Universe
Live, real-time observations with our telescope-videoconference system of daytime astronomical objects like the Sun
Guided participant exploration of visible features like sunspots and documentation of their observations
STEM content designed for K-12 students

Download Teacher Activity Packet

Choose a program date below and register online at Connect2Texas.

Celebrate Astronomy Day! (for multiple schools)

January 26, 2021
10:00 am and 1:00 pm CST

January 27, 2021
10:00 am and 1:00 pm CST

ExciteSpace!
(for single groups and multiple schools)

ExciteSpace! Observe the Sun

K-12 students observe our Sun in real-time with a telescope, make their own drawings, and make STEM connections in astronomy.

Download Drawing Sheet and TEKS

Choose a program date and register online. Registrations accepted until 24 hours prior to any program.

January 8, 2021 (multiple schools)
10:00 am and 1:00 pm CST

ExciteSpace! Meet Mr. McDonald

Come visit McDonald Observatory without leaving your home or classroom! Learn about Mr. McDonald, who loved nature and science. Learn about what happens here and how the astronomers use telescopes to study all kinds of things in the universe. Students will be guided on a virtual tour of the 2.1-meter Otto Struve Telescope, and we will discuss together the things that make McDonald Observatory a great place to do Astronomy.

Download TEKS

Choose a program date and register online. Registrations accepted until 24 hours prior to any program.

January 20, 2021 (multiple schools)
10:00 am and 2:00 pm CST

January 21, 2021 (multiple schools)
1:00 pm CST

ExciteSpace! Super Big Telescope Tour

Explore the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, a 10 meter telescope that uses 91 mirrors to research the universe! Follow the light path from the sky through creative engineering and into the instruments. Students will take a virtual tour of the HET, including images and videos, guided by a live educator.

Download TEKS

Choose a program date and register online. Registrations accepted until 24 hours prior to any program.

January 21, 2021 (multiple schools)
2:00 pm and 3:00 pm CST

January 22, 2021 (multiple schools)
1:00 pm and 3:00 pm CST

WATCH A RECORDED SESSION ANYTIME

Programs average 50 minutes in length and include activities and handouts that students can use to follow along at home

Books and Telescopes and the Sun...Oh My! (Grades PreK-2)

Explore the Sun and sunspots with special telescopes at McDonald Observatory, enjoy a reading of “The Big Dipper” – a Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1 book, and take a virtual tour of McDonald Observatory. Viewers may choose to make their own drawing of the Sun and it’s features. Required materials are a sheet of paper and a pencil!

Our Solar System and Beyond! (Grades 3-12)

Explore McDonald Observatory and see giant research telescopes used by astronomers, observe planet Venus with telescopes equipped with special video cameras, complete a size and scale ranking task activity individually or in small groups (grade 3-5 handout & grade 6-12 handout, and learn how Galileo discovered that planets orbit the Sun.

SCHEDULE A CUSTOM VIDEOCONFERENCE

McDonald Observatory “Live From McDonald Observatory” distance learning program.

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 Planet Venus: Explore How it Changes

In this 50-minute videoconference program, students receive a brief introduction to the McDonald Observatory, make live telescope observations of Venus with telescopes equipped with special video cameras, and complete a student sheet. By exploring Galileo’s drawings and science demonstrations, students discover the reason the apparent size of Venus changes while it orbits the Sun. Students can ask questions about the topic or astronomy in general 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
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

Discover Our Solar System: Make A Size Scale Model

In this 50-minute videoconference program, students receive a brief introduction to the McDonald Observatory and make a volume and distance scale model of two objects in the Solar System. Through discussions and exploration with the videoconference facilitator, students are able to identify the two objects as the Earth and Moon by the end of the program. Students can ask questions about the topic or astronomy in general 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

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.

Required Activity Materials Ready In Your Classroom

A list of materials to have on-hand for students engagement during the program.

Teacher Guide for Videoconference Content

Includes potential student answers, descriptions of content found in student sheets, and links that support group learning.

Pre-Conference Assessment

Actvities to help you gauge student understanding before the program.

Pre-Conference Activity

An optional activity that encourages students to discuss and organize the questions they might ask during the conference.

Post-Conference Activity

An optional activity to help students transfer their McDonald Observatory experience back to their science curriculum.

Related TEKS, NSES

This is a document that lists related Texas and National Science Standards for each videoconference.

Videoconference Evaluation Form

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

Videoconference Programs

Celebrate Astronomy Day!(for multiple schools)

ExciteSpace!(for single groups and multiple schools)

ExciteSpace! Observe the Sun

ExciteSpace! Meet Mr. McDonald

ExciteSpace! Super Big Telescope Tour

McDonald Observatory “Live From McDonald Observatory” distance learning program.

Program Descriptions and Downloads

Downloadable Descriptions

Student Sheet

Required Activity Materials Ready In Your Classroom

Teacher Guide for Videoconference Content

Pre-Conference Assessment

Pre-Conference Activity

Post-Conference Activity

Related TEKS, NSES

Videoconference Evaluation Form

Celebrate Astronomy Day!
(for multiple schools)

ExciteSpace!
(for single groups and multiple schools)