Explore UT Coming March 6
 
What: "Explore UT: The Biggest Open House in Texas!"
When: Saturday, March 6, 2010, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: The University of Texas at Austin
Who's invited: Students K-12, teachers, and families. Everyone is welcome
Cost: Free, no sign-up for activities
Web site: www.utexas.edu/events/exploreut
 
Explore UT provides enrichment in science and technology, language and literature, and arts and culture for all students, even as young as elementary age. It offers a college visit to secondary students, and it’s a great motivator for students whose families have never been to college.
You choose what to see and do. To make it easier for you, we divide the campus into six discovery realms (like Disneyland) – Science Safari, Engineering Expeditions, Arts Adventures, Cultural Crossroads, Public Service Passageway, and Longhorn Trail. You can select one or two of these areas, and just go from booth to booth. Or you can select which activities you want to do and map out a route to follow. If students have never been to the University before, you might start with a campus walking tour – tours leave from the Main Building (the Tower) every hour on the hour.
See Updated Web Site With New Activities
The Explore UT Web site has just been updated with 2010 activities – more than 350 hands-on learning activities, lectures, demonstrations, and performances. Many favorite activities from previous years – including the Gold E. Locks trial and marching with the Longhorn Band - will be repeated, and you’ll find new activities as well. Here’s a sampling:
-         Robots: Find out how Sony Aibo dogs match up against Aldebaran humanoids.
-         Facebook. Discuss how social media are changing the way young people communicate.
-         Broadway Dance! Learn dance repertoire from hit musicals, taught by UT dance faculty.
-         Beauty, the Beast. Explore the symbolic meanings behind beauty pageants.
-         Dragon of Cracow: Make a puppet of this character from Polish legend.
-         Pride and Prejudice: Listen to a dramatic reading of a scene from this Jane Austen classic.
-         State Fare: Discuss movies filmed in Texas from 1911 to 2008.
-         How Much Energy in a Gummy Bear? Watch scientists burn sugar to measure.
-         Influenza 101: Learn the difference between seasonal and H1N1 influenza.
-         The Making of a Spokesperson, er … Spokespuppet. Create the ideal spokesperson for a nonprofit group.
-         Killer Flies Attack Fire Ants. Watch biologists battle a treacherous lawn pest with vampire-like flies.
-         Plants as Movers and Shakers. Discover how plants and animals communicate with each other.
-         Look, Mom. No Driver. See a car that can drive by itself in traffic.
-         Austin City Limits Tour: Visit the studio of television’s longest-running popular music program.
 
Bus Registration Underway
            Consider bringing students to Explore UT as a field trip. Request a bus as you would for any field trip through your school or charter company. Once your bus is arranged, go online on the University’s Explore UT Web site: http://www.utexas.edu/events/exploreut/bus.html and fill out a bus registration and parking form. Registering your buses (no charge) helps the University plan parking and welcoming activities.
By return email, you will receive instructions for entering campus and arranging lunch, if you choose, at Jester Center residence hall. The discounted lunch fee is $5.75 a person. Of course, you can bring sack lunches for a picnic on campus or buy food from campus vendors (hamburgers, tacos, pizza, for example).
If you come in a car, you don't register. Just find parking in one of our campus garages (three are free, and three charge $10 for the day).
 
Spread the Word
            We’ve attached this year’s Explore UT flyer. Feel free to print it out and distribute copies. Let us know if you would like the Spanish version. We can also email a poster, if you like.
            Request a speaker to build interest among students and families. See the contact information below.
 
For More Information
- Watch videos of students attending Explore UT in 2007 and 2008. Go to the Explore UT Web site, www.utexas.edu/events/exploreut to the Media Gallery tab and click on Video Collection.
 
- Request a printed program from last year as a sample to show students, parents and teachers. Note: This year’s program will not be printed until the week of Explore UT, but you’ll be able to download a printer-friendly version of the complete program about mid-February.
 
- Questions? Contact Barbara Langham, 346-2261, blangham@austin.utexas.edu