Book a Fieldtrip
The Marine Science Institute offers field trips at our campus in Port Aransas at the Patton Center and at the Bay Education Center in downtown Rockport. Our programs offer opportunities to focus on diverse marine science education topics. We provide outdoor and lab activities that focus on hands-on inquiry-based learning techniques, incorporating local ecosystems to foster an appreciation and respect for our local estuarine and marine habitats. We structure our programs to reflect grade-level appropriate content, learning strategies, and state standards. All classes are designed to suit appropriate grade levels. Activities may vary depending on grade and total group size. We also offer a station-based field trip option, where students rotate through alternate stations covering any above activities. This allows larger groups to access our programming and keep multiple groups engaged in activities throughout the field trip.
Emergency Numbers and Contact Information
Marine Science Education: 8 am – 5 pm weekdays, (361)749-3153 or (361) 749-3152
Security Cell Phone: (361) 332-9641
Important Information for Groups
Research and teaching are major functions of the Marine Science Institute of The University of Texas at Austin. Another important role of the laboratory is to serve as a resource for the faculty and students of The University of Texas and of other universities, colleges and secondary school groups.
Patton Center for Marine Science Education
The newly-renovated Patton Center for Marine Science Education features eight large aquaria and engaging interactive displays that provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn about the local marine life and the research that is conducted at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute and its Mission-Aransas Reserve program. The space is a bright and dynamic facility that teaches about the wonders of the local marine ecosystems. The Center is free of charge and will be open Tuesday–Saturday from 10 am to 4pm. The Center includes programs such as keeper chats and fish-feeding demonstrations.
The Center was severely damaged by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and was renovated with support from the University of Texas at Austin, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017), and philanthropists Bobby and Sherri Patton. The space has since been transformed into a bright and dynamic facility to teach about the wonders of the local marine ecosystems. The Center was designed by Turner | Ramirez Architects and constructed by Beecroft Construction. Both firms are based in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Are you interested in booking a program for groups of 10 or more? To request a field trip please complete and submit the Visiting Group Request Form. Once submitted, someone from the Marine Science Education staff will contact you to begin the registration process. For questions please contact Adriana Reza at adriana.reza@austin.utexas.edu or call 361-774-1785.
Bay Education Center
The Bay Education Center offers an engaging look at the Mission-Aransas Reserve and the vital connections between people and coastal resources. Open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., it’s a must-see destination for learning about estuaries and their critical role in the environment. Visitors can explore hands-on exhibits, check real-time bay water quality, and experience Science On a Sphere®, a room-sized NOAA display projecting planetary data onto a six-foot globe, with daily presentations at 2 p.m.
The center also offers field trip programs for students and homeschool groups:
- 1-Hour Program: Exhibit scavenger hunt and a free Science On a Sphere® presentation.
- 1.5-Hour Program: Includes the scavenger hunt, a Science On a Sphere® presentation, and a hands-on activity ($5.00 per student; chaperones free).
Plan your visit or book a field trip to experience the wonders of our coastal environment firsthand!
Are you interested in booking a program for groups of 10 to 35 students? To request a field trip, please complete and submit the Visiting Group Request Form. Once submitted, a member of the Marine Science Education staff will reach out to begin the registration process. For questions, please contact Sarah Failla at sarah.failla@austin.utexas.edu or call 361-774-1785.