Want to provide a guided, in-depth learning opportunity for your students? Select a live animal presentation, guided trail, or a one or two hour field investigation or a combination of programs that will support, expand and enhance what you are already doing in your classroom.
Field trips may be scheduled by any education group of 20 or more students. All student field trip groups receive 1 free chaperone admission per 8 students (see chaperone expectations).
For information about larger group accommodations see Additional Information section.
Provide your students with the experience of connecting in person with our live animal ambassadors. Each presentation will include 3 to 4 live animals and include one or two reptiles (i.e. snake, turtle or lizard) as well as related specimens (skeletons, shells, mounted specimens, etc.).Each presentation will including information about the habitat, food webs, and adaptations of each animal. If you would like your presentation to focus on a particular theme or topic, please let us know when you make your reservation.
Pre-K – High School
Program Length: 50-60 mins
Times: Tuesday – Friday, from 9 A.M.
Availability: Year Round
1 Educational Program Unit
See Pricing
Guided nature trails for field trips give students the opportunity to experience the ecology, geology and wildlife of the Heard Sanctuary. Led by our trained guides, you will spend 50-60 minutes hiking our unique landscape. If you would like your trail to focus on a particular theme or topic or to go on a particular trail, please let us know when you make your reservation.
Pre-K – High School
Program Length: 45-60 mins per trail
Times: Tuesday – Friday, from 9 A.M.
Available: September – May
1 Educational Program Unit
See Pricing
Let Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary support and enhance your classroom teaching with our unique resources and outdoor experiences. Field Investigations are either one or two hours in length, TEKS aligned, and can be customized to meet the needs of your students. Don’t see an investigation that fits what you are looking for? Contact us – we’re happy to create a custom program to fit your needs. Click here to view a list of our current Field Investigations and their TEKS alignments. These programs may run either 1 hour or 2.
An ecosystem is a community of different species interacting with each other and with the non-living parts of the environment. It can be as small as a puddle or as large as an ocean. In this activity, students will become naturalists as they work in teams to investigate and record observations of the components of different study sites.
TEKS aligned grades K – 6
Observation is what science is all about! Students will investigate the characteristics and parts of trees while making observations and recording data in the field.
TEKS aligned grades 1-4
Minerals and other natural resources are the raw materials that we use for housing, clothing, transportation, heating, cooking, etc. Students will investigate ways that these natural resources are useful and our responsibility in the proper management of these resources. Older students will also investigate fossil fuels and the possible importance of alternative energy sources.
TEKS aligned grades K – 6
A prairie is a complex living system composed of many different plants and animals that interact with and depend on each other for survival. In this investigation students will spend time making observations on our native Blackland Prairie and create a food web that explores the energy flow through a prairie ecosystem.
TEKS aligned grades 1 – 5
Students investigate minerals and rocks as they identify rock samples. Using the data collected from this activity, students will then classify “mystery rocks” as igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic.
TEKS aligned 6th grade
6.1A; 6.2A; 6.3A; 6.4B; 6.6C; 6.10B
Wetlands are an important ecosystem and are often referred to as “nature’s supermarkets” because of their astounding productivity. In this food chain/web simulation, students will portray the detritus-eaters and predators of a wetland ecosystem and use the data they collect from the simulation to create a food chain or food web. A visit to our wetland area is included.
TEKS aligned grades 1-5
Water is the most abundant, unique and important substance on Earth. It is essential to all life. Aquatic habitats, especially wetlands, are among the most endangered habitats in the U. S., making the monitoring of their health vital. Students will investigate the health of one of our bodies of water by conducting a bioinventory of aquatic invertebrates. Older grades may conduct additional water testing as time permits.
TEKS aligned grades 1-5
There are about 9,000 species of birds worldwide and they have many characteristics which allow them to live in a wide variety of locations. Students will investigate several bird adaptations such as beaks, feet, feathers and migration that help birds live and survive. Then students will get binoculars and take a hike to see some of the many birds that call Texas home and start a life list for bird watching.
TEKS aligned grades 1-5
Natives are plants that were here when the first Europeans explored the Americas. These plants have adaptations that help them survive in the harsh Texas climate. Students will investigate these adaptations and take a hike to observe some of the native Texas plants we have at Heard. Students will also learn how the Native Americans and early pioneers used plants and will have the opportunity to use a plant-based dye.
TEKS aligned grades K – 4
Students investigate the three rock families, the rock cycle, and fossils as they get up close and personal with specimens from our museum collection and search for fossils on the museum grounds. (Please note that all fossils found must remain on museum property.)
TEKS aligned grades K, 2-4
Students investigate the three rock families, the rock cycle, and fossils as they get up close and personal with specimens from our museum collection and search for fossils on the museum grounds. (Please note that all fossils found must remain on museum property.)
TEKS aligned grades K, 2-4
K-12 (TEKS aligned K-6)
Program Length: 1 hour or 2 hours
Times: Tuesday – Friday, from 9 A.M.
Available: September – May
1-Hour Field Investigations
1 Educational Programming Unit
2-Hour Field Investigations
2 Educational Programming Units
See Pricing
Make your field trip a truly out-of-this-world educational experience by booking a Magic Planet presentation! Our new 4-foot diameter, sphere-shaped Magic Planet interactive digital display provides the Heard with compelling new ways to teach about Earth and planetary science.
Max 100 students per school
Earth Science
Weather affects everyone every day! Through our Magic Planet and hands-on activities, students will explore four ingredients of weather: temperature, wind, clouds, and precipitation. The presentation content can be customized in a variety of ways to give more emphasis to any of the above ingredients, to explore specific weather events or phenomena, or to more fully explore the water cycle.
TEKS alignments:
K.8.A; 1.8.A,D; 2.8.A,B; 3.8.A; 4.8.A,B; 5.8.A,B
Constructive and destructive forces are always at work on our Earth’s surface. Hands-on activities and our Magic Planet will allow students to explore the processes and impact of weathering, erosion, and deposition in soil and landform creation.
TEKS alignments:
3.7.A; 4.7.B; 5.7.A,B
Most of the changes to our Earth’s surface happen gradually through weathering and erosion or tectonic plate movement. But some changes are instantaneous! This presentation will use our Magic Planet, along with hands-on activities, to dig into the mechanisms by which earthquakes and volcanoes can cause blink-of-an-eye changes in the surface around us. Presentation content can also be tailored to explore middle school TEKS.
TEKS alignments:
3.7.B; 6.10.C,D; 8.9.A,B,C
Space Science
Our night sky is brilliantly perplexing as its objects never seem to stay put. In this Magic Planet presentation, students will learn about the characteristics and movement patterns of stars and other objects in our night sky, including the moon. The presentation can be customized to cover a variety of space science learning objectives.
TEKS alignments:
K.8.C, 1.8.B, 2.8.C
K-12 (TEKS aligned K-6)
Program Length: 45 – 60 mins per activity
Times: Tuesday – Friday, from 9 A.M.
Available: Year Round
1 Educational Program Unit
See Pricing
Explore our interactive indoor exhibits, Animals of the World outdoor exhibit and our hiking trails through woods, prairie and wetlands on your own. Trail maps and scavenger hunts are available at the reception desk to enhance your visit. If you have 20 or more in your group, you can prepay for your visit and take advantage of our group discount of one free adult chaperone admission for every 8 paid student general admissions. If you choose not to prepay, you will not be eligible for the free chaperones, and please be aware that during peak attendance, groups of 20 or more without reservations may not be granted entrance.
Includes: Admission to both indoor and outside museum exhibits & our nature trails
Pre-K – High School
Program Length:
45 mins per trail
45 mins per exhibit
Times:
Tuesday – Saturday, from 9 A.M. – 5 P.M.
Sunday, 1 P.M. – 5 P.M.
Available: Year Round
Minimum number of students to receive group discount: 20
Offers discounted group admission fees for student groups (for self-guided only; must have 20 or more students).
See Pricing
Field Trip Options | Per Student |
Required Teachers / Chaperones |
Extra Chaperones |
---|---|---|---|
Self Guided Groups of 20+ (general admission only, no educational programming provided) |
$5 | Free | $8 |
Choice of 1 Educational Program Unit (included general admission) |
$9 | Free | $11 |
Choice of 2 Educational Program Units (included general admission) |
$16 | Free | $20 |
Choice of 3 Educational Program Units (included general admission) |
$23 | Free | $20 |
Choice of 4 Educational Program Units (included general admission) |
$30 | Free | $20 |
Student price applies to students (Pre-K through High School) who are part of a group of at least 20 students.
The Heard requires one (1) adult chaperone (teacher or other authorized adult) for every eight (8) students (Pre-K through High School). We offer free admission for those required chaperones (for groups with 20+ students). See our chaperone expectations below. All additional chaperones (above the required 1:8 chaperone-to-student ratio) must pay “extra chaperone” fees (including Heard Museum members).
Title 1 schools receive a 10% discount on field trips. Please provide your designation at the time of the reservation request.
Heard can accommodate large groups, however students might be split up into smaller groups to ensure the best learning experience possible is provided. For example, a group of 100 students arriving for a guided trail will likely be divided into 2 groups. While one group is out on the trail with their guides, the other group is welcome to explore on their own until time for their guided trail. Your invoice will list the likely number of rotations for your trip, and a rotation schedule will be provided closer to your field trip date with more details as needed.
Would you like to come and preview the museum to help you plan your field trip? All currently-employed K-12 Teachers at schools located within a 200 mile radius of the Heard are allowed a free planning trip. Visits must be arrange ahead of time – please complete our request form (click here to access form) to schedule your visit. Proof of employment (school identification, etc.) is required when you check-in at our front desk. This offer is not valid during your group’s field trip or educational programs. Please allow up to two business weeks for processing.
The role of a chaperone is an important one, and while enjoyable, requires accepting certain responsibilities. These guidelines help ensure that Heard field trips result in safe and rewarding experiences for all participants.
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