Austin Nature & Science Center School Programs

The Austin Nature & Science Center offers nature and science-based educational programs for a variety of school groups, including public, private, preschool, and homeschool.

2022-2023 School Year

Instructor led programs

Curriculum themes correlate to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards. Take a look at our options below!

Schools at ANSC

Select programs below to read descriptions including the TEKS and vocabulary addressed. Registration is now open for the 2022-2023 school year! A minimum of 25 students is required for registration. If you do not meet the minimum, you will be charged for 25 students.

If you need to book more than one two-hour block to accommodate all students, they must be booked one after the other (9:00-11:00 am AND 11:30-1:30 pm), rather than have multiple blocks at the same time. Our limited space and resources prevent us from running the same program topics concurrently.

Please note: Your $20 DEPOSIT reserves a date and time. Your balance will be due at the time of your field trip. ANSC Staff will coordinate the final details of your trip with you. Deposits are non-refundable.

visual chart depicting registration times between 9 am and 1:30 pm

Masks are not currently required. ANSC will follow current State and City of Austin safety policies and guidelines.

ANSC at Schools

If you need to book more than one two-hour block to accommodate all students, they must be booked one after the other (9:00-11:00 am AND 11:30-1:30 pm), rather than have multiple blocks at the same time. Our limited resources prevent us from running the same program topics concurrently.

Grade Reservation Program length Max students during one program Max students during one reservation Notes All ages 2 hours Varies, about an hour Varies Varies Flat rate price. Two-hour time allotment. Upon registration, ANSC staff will contact you for details ANSC at Schools Program Fees Grade Deposit Non-title I school Title I school All Grades $20 $5.00 per student $2.50 per student

Masks are not currently required. ANSC will follow current State and City of Austin safety policies and guidelines.

Homeschool

These STEAM-focused programs will instill an appreciation of the natural world while offering an opportunity to collaborate and socialize with peers. This year, we are offering monthly meet-ups, science club, and adventure club. Masks are not required indoors or outdoors.

Registration is now open. Type homeschool in the keyword search bar.

Monthly meet-up Ages 5-15 years

Monthly Meet-Up

Each month, all participants will investigate and make discoveries involving a new topic. The 13-16 year olds will develop their leadership skills in nature-based education by assisting the staff as Educators in Training (EITs).

Meeting Time:

Ages 4-12 years 10:00 am -11:30 am or 12:30 pm -2:00 pm
Ages 13- 16 years (Educator in training) 9:30am -11:30 am or 12:00 pm -2:00 pm

Price for all 5 sessions: Ages 4-12: $45 City of Austin resident/ $55 non-COA residents l Ages 13-16: $35 City of Austin residents/ $45 non-COA residents

Dates and Themes:

October 18 or 19: Nocturnal Nature
November 15 or 16: Geology (meeting at Pease Park)
December 13 or 14: Reptiles & Amphibians
January 24 or 25: Electricity & Magnets
February 21 or 22: Weather

Science Club! Grades 3-4 Typically 8-10 years

Science Club

This program is designed for students to explore, make observations, and answer testable questions using the scientific method. Students in the 3rd and 4th grade will work on individual projects that are eligible to enter the Austin Energy Science Fair. Participation in this program will conclude with an ANSC Science Fair for all!

Ages: Students in 3-4 Grades, typically 8-10 years

Meeting Time: 11:30 am -1:00 pm

Prices: $70 City of Austin residents/ $80 non-COA residents l Includes entry fee to Austin Regional Science Fair for eligible projects!

Dates and Themes:

October 12: What makes an experiment? Homework: Design your experiment
November 9: Design an experiment and measure results: Homework: Conduct your experiment
December 7: How to display data. Homework: Create your project board
January 11: Present your project to the ANSC class Homework: Finalize your board for the ANSC Science Fair
January 18: Homeschool Science Fair! Selected projects submitted to the Austin Energy Regional Science Fair

Adventure Club Ages 10-14 years

Adventure Club

Adventure activities include biking, climbing, caving, wayfinding, and hiking. Participants must be able to ride a bike for three miles unassisted. Bring a sack lunch and a water bottle!

Ages: 10-14 years

Meeting time and dates: 9:00 am -1:00 pm l October 12, November 9, December 7, January 11, February 15

Price for all 5 sessions: $90 City of Austin residents/ $110 non-COA residents

self guided tours

Self Guided Tours at ANSC

Explore the Austin Nature & Science Center at your own pace with a self-guided tour.

Registration is now open for the 2022-2023 school year (October 24, 2022 through May 25, 2023)

Reservations are required for organized groups of 15 or more participants.
Groups of less than 15 participants do not need to a reservation.
Time slots are Monday through Friday
- 9:30 am -11:00 am;
- 11:00 am -1:00 pm; or
- 1:00 pm -3:00 pm

School staff (teachers, school staff, instructors, aides) are always FREE and are not included in the group sizes below.

Group Size Minimum Group Size (children/students + adult chaperones) Maximum Group Size (children/students + chaperones) Reservation Fee XS 15 50 $25 S 51 100 $50 M 101 150 $100 L 151 200 $150 XL 200 + please call to see how we can best accommodate your group.