Explore UT
Held on the first Saturday in March, Explore UT is a campus-wide event described as the “Biggest Open House in Texas!” Visitors of all ages have the opportunity to experience a variety of programs that are engaging and inspiring. Visit Explore UT for a full schedule of university activities and for information on how to register your group. Activities: Join us for Explore UT, a campus-wide event described as the “Biggest Open House in Texas!” Visitors of all ages have the opportunity to experience a variety of programs that are engaging and inspiring. Visit Explore UT for a full schedule of university activities and parking information. If you need any accommodation to participate in the event, please contact Dr. Pamela R. Owen at least five days before the event.
National Fossil Day
Held in Mid-October, National Fossil Day is an annual celebration organized by the National Park Service to promote public awareness and stewardship of fossils, as well as to foster a greater appreciation of their scientific and educational values. Join Texas Memorial Museum in this nationwide event promoting awareness of fossils and the science of paleontology. Free activities with paid admission include fossil identifications, story time, dig pit and gallery talks. If you need any accommodation to participate in the event, please contact Dr. Pamela R. Owen at least five days before the event.
Identification Day
Texas Memorial Museum hosts Identification Day on Austin Museum Day, a special Sunday in September. University scientists and experts from Central Texas will be on hand to identify natural objects such as fossils, bones, rocks and prehistoric archeological materials. Admission is free. Please note that identifications are for educational purposes only. No appraisals for market value or insurance purposes will be given. For more information about this event, contact Dr. Pamela R. Owen. If you need an accessibility accommodation to participate in Identification Day, please contact Dr. Owen at least five days before the event. TMM's Identification Day is part of the Austin Museum Partnership's annual Austin Museum Day, a FREE community-wide re-discovery of Austin museums.
Texas Wildlife Day
Celebrate everything feathered, furred, smooth and scaled at Texas Memorial Museum! FREE admission and FREE family-friendly activities hosted by UT Austin scientists, TMM science educators, and members of local chapters of Texas Master Naturalists. Museum exhibits open 9 am to 5 pm and the activities run from 10 am until 4 pm. If you need an accessibility accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Dr. Pamela R. Owen at least five days before the event.
Austin Dinosaur Day
TMM partners with Austin Nature & Science Center (ANSC) and the Zilker Botanical Garden (ZBG) to host Austin Dinosaur Day, a day to explore ancient Austin. Unique dinosaur-themed activities are offered at each site. Visit all 3 sites to complete a prehistoric planter! Activities at TMM and ZBG are free with paid admission. Admission and activities at ANSC are free. If you need an accessibility accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Dr. Pamela R. Owen at least five days before the event.
Blue Star Museums
TMM and other museums nationwide are offering FREE admission to U.S. active-duty military personnel (including National Guard and Reserve) and up to 5 family members between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. The Blue Star Museums program is a collaboration among museums, the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense. To learn more about the program, please visit: https://www.arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums. Be sure to show your ID (CAC, DD Form 1173 ID card, or DD Form 1173-1 ID card) to admissions staff to receive free admission.
The Buzz Saw Sharks of Long Ago
Helicoprion, a bizarre 270 million year old whorl-toothed shark that swam ancient seas covering much of western North America, has intrigued paleontologists for over a century. Explore the discoveries made by a team of scientists and a Helicoprion-obsessed artist that have shed new light on this fascinating fish. The Buzz Saw Sharks of Long Ago is a unique combination of science, art, and humor. It offers something for the whole family – fossils, original artwork by Ray Troll, life-sized sculptures by Gary Staab, and more! The exhibit is organized by the Idaho Museum of Natural History in collaboration with Ray Troll.
Paleontology for Preschoolers
FREE with paid regular admission (registration required) • Prehistoric Story Time
• Hands-on Learning Activity
• Dinosaur-themed Craft
• Fossil Dig Pit
Wonders of Wildlife
FREE with paid regular admission (registration required) • Wildlife Story Time
• Nature Song
• Hands-on Learning Activity
• Animal-themed Craft
