Explore UT
Held on the first Saturday in March, Explore UT is a campus-wide event providing visitors an opportunity to explore the richness of the university’s scholarship and knowledge. Learners of all ages will experience a variety of programs that are engaging and inspiring.
Activities hosted by TMM:
- Fossil Identifications: Bring your fossil finds to the Paleo Lab for identification by a paleontologist. Learn about the science of paleontology, and how fossils are important for our understanding of biodiversity and environmental change.
- Other activities TBA
Visit Explore UT to see the complete schedule of last year's activities. The 2020 schedule will be available in February.
If you need any accommodation to participate in the event, please contact TMM Education 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 TMM Education 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 archaeological 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 TMM Education. If you need an accessibility accommodation to participate in Identification Day, please contact us 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 TMM Education 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 Armed Forces Day 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.
Paleontology for Preschoolers
FREE with paid regular admission
• Prehistoric Story Time
• Hands-on Learning Activity
• Dinosaur-themed Craft
• Fossil Dig Pit (weather permitting)
The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Memorial Museum, will not take custodial responsibility of minors while participating in Preschool Programs. Custodial responsibility will remain with teachers, parents, legal guardians, and chaperones.
Bat Bonanza
FREE with paid regular admission
• Batty Story Time
• Sing-a-long
• Hands-on Learning Activity
• Bat-themed Craft
The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Memorial Museum, will not take custodial responsibility of minors while participating in Preschool Programs. Custodial responsibility will remain with teachers, parents, legal guardians, and chaperones.
Pop-Up Naturalist's Art Studio
FREE with paid regular admission -- No registration required!
Children 2 years and older will enjoy creating nature-inspired artworks. This event is hosted by TMM and UT Austin undergraduate art students -- meet us under the pterosaur!
The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Memorial Museum, will not take custodial responsibility of minors while participating in museum educational programs. Custodial responsibility will remain with teachers, parents, legal guardians, and chaperones.
Meet a Meteorite
FREE with paid regular admission
• Outer Space Story Time
• Sing-a-long
• Hands-on Learning Activity
• Space-themed Craft
The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Memorial Museum, will not take custodial responsibility of minors while participating in Preschool Programs. Custodial responsibility will remain with teachers, parents, legal guardians, and chaperones.
Creeping, Crawling, and Buzzing with Preschoolers!
FREE with paid regular admission
• Story Time
• Sing-a-long
• Hands-on Learning Activity
• Insect-themed Craft
The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Memorial Museum, will not take custodial responsibility of minors while participating in Preschool Programs. Custodial responsibility will remain with teachers, parents, legal guardians, and chaperones.
Marvelous Mammals
FREE with paid regular admission
• Story Time
• Sing-a-long
• Hands-on Learning Activity
• Mammal-themed Craft
The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Memorial Museum, will not take custodial responsibility of minors while participating in Preschool Programs. Custodial responsibility will remain with teachers, parents, legal guardians, and chaperones.
Fish Tales
FREE with paid regular admission
• Fishy Story Time
• Sing-a-long
• Hands-on Learning Activity
• Fish-themed Craft
The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Memorial Museum, will not take custodial responsibility of minors while participating in Preschool Programs. Custodial responsibility will remain with teachers, parents, legal guardians, and chaperones.
Pop-Up Bird Lab
A new monthly program in the Hall of Texas Wildlife!
Learn more about our feathered friends in a hands-on exploration of bird anatomy, diversity, and evolution. Appropriate for all ages, and included with admission.
