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Highlights

 
Winter Programs

Winter Programs

We have several free educational programs this Winter (2023).  Port Aransas Patton Center, 855 East Cotter Ave.  Our Public Lecture Series is back at UTMSI in our newly renovated Patton Center - Thursdays from Jan 12 - Feb 23rd. Doors open...
Water, water everywhere

Water, water everywhere

As the school year comes to a close we had the pleasure of hosting all of Brundrett Middle School students from Port Aransas in a Water Awareness Day. The event featured eight stations each with a special learning point about the...
Virtual Learning Resources

Virtual Learning Resources

Our Mission-Aransas Reserve education program strives to enhance public understanding of the value and function of estuaries and to encourage protection of the coastal environment. We are currently closed and all public-facing programming is cancelled until further notice. During this time,...
Summer Science Registration Is Open

Summer Science Registration Is Open

UT Summer Science is an exciting, inquiry-based learning experience for students entering 3rd through 8th grade.  Working alongside marine scientists from the University of Texas, students will experience science outside of the classroom. By the end of the program, students will...
'Tis the Season for Science

'Tis the Season for Science

Shout out to students who love science! Today's Port Aransas Science Fair is a culmination of research and experimentation by 4th and 5th graders from H.G. Olsen Elementary School.  Each student designed, executed, and analyzed the results of their own science...
Ageless Learning by the Sea

Ageless Learning by the Sea

Quick, grandmother grab the end of the seine net. That phrase and many other unusual shouts were just a few that could be overheard during an Intergenerational Road Scholar Program hosted June 9-14th at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute....
Ready, Set, Go - Global Nature Challenge

Ready, Set, Go - Global Nature Challenge

Citizen scientists have the opportunity to compete to see who can submit the most observations about nature. This is the fourth annual City Nature Challenge, and this year the communities of Port Aransas and Mustang Island can compete with counterparts over...
We're Still Hosting the Public Lecture Series!

We're Still Hosting the Public Lecture Series!

Despite the damage that Hurricane Harvey caused to our campus, we are still hosting the Public Lecture Series, with the help of community partners. The first three lectures will be at Pioneer Beach Resort and the last lecture will be at...
Teachers on the Estuary

Teachers on the Estuary

Last week, 14 science and math teachers from middle and high schools through-out the coastal region of Texas immersed themselves in an intensive training course in estuary ecology and human connections. The three-day experience brought them face to face with tiny...
International Learning

International Learning

Earlier this spring Jace Tunnell, Director of the Mission-Aransas Reserve, helped 5th grade students from Shenzhen, China at BASIS International Shenzhen learn about environmental change processes occurring in estuaries. Earlier this spring, Jace Tunnell helped 5th grade students from Shenzhen, China at...
Birding 101 - Registration is Open!

Birding 101 - Registration is Open!

Each summer, children 7-16 years discover the joy of birding by participating in the class "Birding 101 for Kids." These introductory classes are designed to teach students the fundamentals of bird identification and at the same time give them a...
Taking Science to the Community

Taking Science to the Community

The University of Texas Marine Science Institute hosted “Science Night” in coordination with the Port Aransas Independent School District this past February. Science Night was an opportunity for elementary and middle school students and their families to learn about the unique...
Immersing Educators in Science Learning

Immersing Educators in Science Learning

This past March, a group of education leaders and practitioners from across south Texas convened to immerse themselves in the research and theories of teaching and learning science. This “Reflecting on Practice” workshop was hosted at The University of Texas Marine...
Summer Science Registration Open for Coastal Bend residents

Summer Science Registration Open for Coastal Bend residents

This year's Summer Science themes are "Motion of the Ocean: Senses and Sensations in the Sea" and "Go with the Flow: Land-Sea Connections!" Summer Science 2017 registration is now open for Coastal Bend residents! Registration for students in all other areas...
Women in Marine Science

Women in Marine Science

Researcher and graduate student, Victoria Congdon (in orange), teaches girls about seaweed and the animals that depend upon it. Photo credit: Amanda Taylor.Zooplankton bingo was just one of the exciting brain teasers that was offered at last weekend’s Women in Marine...
Working Together for Wetlands

Working Together for Wetlands

Students from the Fulton Learning Center stand eye to eye with a Whooping Crane at the Bay Education Center. Photo credit: Martha McLeod.In an environmental educator’s ideal world, more students would participate in mission-targeted, reserve field experiences that support what their...
It's Public Lecture Season!

It's Public Lecture Season!

Join us for a series of FREE presentations about marine environments - led by the people who study them Are you interested in science and want to learn more about seals, birds, fish, or the weather? If so, our free public...
Bay Talks are Back

Bay Talks are Back

Join us for a series of FREE presentations on Fridays at the Bay Education Center in Rockport. Are you interested in science or the coast and want to learn about a diverse range of topics - from plankton to people? If...
Breaking Trail on the New Dunescape

Breaking Trail on the New Dunescape

Construction of the trails for the new “Dunescape” began last week. This project will restore about two acres of dune habitat, and provide the public access and education on the importance of dune habitats on our local barrier islands, such as...
It's Monarch Madness!

It's Monarch Madness!

Trinity Morgan, a 5th grader from Seadrift Elementary, leads the flock of Whopping Cranes in a mock migration. Trinity and here classmates were participating in Monarch Madness, an annual event hosted by Fennessey Ranch and many partners. REFUGIO, Texas – This...