Austin Nature & Science Center School Programs and Group Reservations
The Austin Nature & Science Center offers nature and science-based educational programs for a variety of groups, including public, private, preschool, and homeschool.
- Programs We Offer
Welcome to the Austin Nature & Science Center! We offer hands-on, engaging, instructor-led programs for grades pre-K through 5th. With our program staff as your guides, you can explore our site, meet live animals, and review TEKS in creative, exciting ways!
Take a look at the programs we offer during different times throughout the school year. Learn about the different TEKS and key vocabulary covered in each program for pre-K-1st grade and 2nd-5th grade.
Are you a group of over 15 visitors looking to visit ANSC on your own, without a scheduled program? Book a Group Reservation, opening August 21, 2026 (details & registration coming soon). All groups of over 15 visitors must book Group Reservations.
- How We Schedule
Programs for Pre-K-1st grade are 60 minutes in length with 3 different activity rotations. 2nd-5th grade programs are 90 minutes* with 3 different activity rotations.
*Our Habitat Hike program is 60 minutes for pre-K-2nd grade and 90 minutes for 3rd-5th grade.
Each group of 25 students (typically 1 class) will join one ANSC instructor while they rotate through 3 activity stations. If your class is larger than 25, we ask that you divide them into smaller groups prior to your arrival at ANSC.
To fit safely and comfortably in our classrooms, we can accommodate up to 5 adult chaperones (not including teachers and school staff) for each group of 25 students. Additional chaperones will be asked to wait outside the classrooms.
If your entire group is larger than 75 students (typically 3 classes), you will need to schedule multiple reservations. While some students are participating in their ANSC program, others can explore our site, work through a Scavenger Hunt or have lunch.
Please use the chart below to determine how many reservation times you will need to request based on the total size of your group.
- Registration Instructions
Check here to determine which dates and times are available for the school year. To see availability for specific months, click below:
October November December January February March April
Submit the Instructor-Led Programs registration form (coming soon). It will be helpful to have the following information while filling out the form:
Two preferred dates and times that show as Available at this link
First and second choices for program themes
Grade level of students
Number of students, classes, teachers, and adult chaperones attending
Please note that we can accommodate a maximum of 5 chaperones per group of 25 students.
Your plans for eating lunch onsite, if applicable
Within 72 hours, you should receive an email from anscprograms@austintexas.gov to help complete your request.
The ANSC School Programs Coordinator will then contact you with specific details for your visit, such as exact program times and activity rotation details.
Please note that, due to the number of requests we receive, it may take several weeks to receive these specific details. Thank you in advance for your patience.
- Site Information
Your Arrival
Please try to have students already divided into groups of 25 prior to your arrival at ANSC.
If you have multiple times scheduled for programs, please try to unload students who will be participating in an instructor-led program first so we can facilitate a timely start.
An ANSC staff member will greet you in the drop-off area and direct you towards the main entrance.
Parents may wait near the bus lane or near the main entrance of our Visitor Center.
Late Arrivals:
We rely on your on-time arrival to facilitate our programs as designed, but we know delays can happen.
If your group is running late, please notify the Front Desk by calling 512-974-3888 with an ETA. Press 7 to bypass the recorded greeting and speak directly with a staff member.
ANSC instructors will do their best to accommodate late arrivals, but the length of your program may need to be adjusted (or shortened) depending on our daily schedule.
Bus & Visitor Parking
ANSC has a bus lane for unloading and boarding; this lane orients to the east, and the easiest way to approach is to follow these driving directions.
After unloading students, buses can park in the gravel lot at 2236 Stratford Dr (across from the Zilker Botanical Garden gate).
Buses may not park under the Mopac bridge!
Free visitor parking for individual cars is available under the bridge at Mopac and Stratford Dr across from our main entrance.
Please remember to lock your vehicles and hide your belongings.
Lunch Information
- We are located on a nature preserve and therefore we follow Leave No Trace principles. This means we are a Pack It In/Pack It Out site and all trash and recycling must be packed out back to your school/facility for disposal. We do not have trash or recycling receptacles for large groups.
- We have a limited number of picnic tables in our Meadow area where groups can eat lunch on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also bring picnic blankets or plan to picnic in the grass in the Meadow.
- ANSC does not have storage facilities for your lunches, coolers, or backpacks. Please leave these on your bus or you may drop off lunch items at the picnic tables until it is time for lunch. Do not bring these items into our buildings or interior grounds.
- ANSC is open in all kinds of weather -- rain or shine, cold or hot -- there are no indoor or covered dining facilities at ANSC (though with advanced planning, we can point you in the direction of some covered areas in nearby parks). Please consider the weather when deciding if your group will have lunch on site.
- ANSC encourages the use of refillable water bottles, and we have 3 bottle filling stations on site. The most commonly found litter at ANSC are single-use plastic water bottle caps and food packaging corners.
We cannot accommodate group lunches in the breezeway outside the Visitor Center or elsewhere on the grounds.
There is no cafe at ANSC, but there are vending machines outside our Small Wonders building and inside the Education Building.
Additional Information
While members of your group are exploring the site, consider giving them a Scavenger Hunt.
School groups cannot do trades at the Trade Counter due to capacity, but are welcome to check it out, ask questions if is staffed, and explore the rest of the Naturalist Workshop.
- Payment, Fees, and Cancellations
Payment:
You will receive a confirmation email from anscprograms@austintexas.gov and an invoice that you or your school or district can pay.
Field trip costs are calculated based on the number of students attending. There is no charge for teachers, staff, and adult chaperones. Please see the tables below for the costs for Title 1 Schools and non-Title 1 schools.
We can accept payment for your field trip in several ways:
Via credit card over the phone; call our Front Desk 512-974-3888
Via credit card at the time of your visit
Please send one representative from your group to the Front Desk in our Visitor Center
Via check
Checks can be mailed prior to your visit or brought to the Front Desk in our Visitor Center
Our mailing address is Austin Nature & Science Center, 301 Nature Center Dr, Austin TX 78746
Please make checks out to Austin Nature & Science Center or Austin Parks & Recreation for the exact amount on your emailed invoice.
Via payment from AISD PaymentWorks (other ISDs are coming soon)
Via exact cash at the time of your visit - we cannot provide change
Please note: Our staff cannot accept in-person payment for At Your School programs. Please either mail or call.
Fees
Non-Title 1 Schools
Up to 25 students 26-50 students 51-75 students 76-100 students 101-125 students 126-150 students PreK, K, 1st Grade $75 $125 $200 $275 $350 $425 2nd thru 5th Grades $100 $175 $250 Not Available Teachers and Staff Free Chaperones (limit is 5 per group of 25 students/classroom) Free, limit 5 Free, limit 10 Free, limit 15 Free, limit 20 Free, limit 25 Free, limit 30 Title 1 Schools
Up to 25 students 26-50 students 51-75 students 76-100 students 101-125 students 126-150 students PreK, K, 1st Grade $35 $60 $100 $125 $175 $200 2nd thru 5th Grade $50 $75 $125 Not Available Teachers and Staff Free Chaperones (limit is 5 per group of 25 students/classroom) Free, limit 5 Free, limit 10 Free, limit 15 Free, limit 20 Free, limit 25 Free, limit 30 Cancellations and Refund Policy
Reservations close 3 weeks ahead of available dates.
If you need to cancel a reservation more than 14 days prior to the scheduled date, we will gladly refund your balance, minus a $35 processing fee (or your field trip fee, whichever is less). Please email anscprograms@austintexas.gov.
If a reservation is canceled within 14 days of the scheduled date, we cannot issue any refunds or credits, and you will owe any balance due.
- FAQ's and Quick Links
What do we do if it rains?
Our site is open rain or shine*
In case of predicted precipitation, plan to bring appropriate outdoor weather clothing and gear.
Please reconsider eating lunch on site if precipitation is predicted, as there are NO indoor or covered spaces to eat.
In the event of heavy rain, thunderstorms, or other dangerous conditions, we will either provide an indoor rain plan activity (if available).
* In the case of severe or dangerous weather conditions predicted by NOAA or local emergency management agencies, administration staff will work with you to cancel or transfer to any other available dates.
What if the school needs to reschedule?
If we receive a notice of cancellation 14 days or more prior to your scheduled date, we will gladly refund your balance, minus a $35 processing fee (or your field trip fee, whichever is less). Cancellation requests made fewer than 14 days prior to your date cannot be refunded.
What is the fee for chaperones?
Teachers, staff, and adult chaperones are free of charge for instructor-led programs.
Please note: we can accommodate a maximum of five adult chaperones (not including teachers or school staff) per group of 25 students. Additional chaperones may be asked to wait outside the classrooms.
While we welcome younger siblings during our programs, our focus is on the students. Parents must stay with very young children at all times and ensure they do not detract from learning.
Quick Links
- Instructor-Led Programs at Your School
Do you want to bring Nature to your school? We offer At-Your School programs for the following topics and cover these TEKS for Pre-k-1st grade and 2nd-5th grade:
Animal Communities (October – February)
Astronomy (October – February)
Bats (October – February)
Insects (January-February)
Depending on the space available at your school, programs may include live animals, outdoor exploration, classroom activities, or immersive experiences in our inflatable planetarium.
To book an at-your-school program, please check here to determine if your preferred date and time is available and indicate on the Registration Form (coming soon) that you want your program to take place At Your School.
You will receive a confirmation within 72 hours from ANSC Front Desk staff, and the ANSC School Programs Coordinator will contact you shortly thereafter to discuss the details of our visit.
Registration for the 2026-2027 school year will open online Tuesday, September 15, at 10:00am
Our Homeschool programs offer STEAM-focused learning, social interactions, and a chance to learn about and appreciate the natural world. Led by our ANSC instructors, we offer three different opportunities for Homeschool students to explore:
- Monthly Meet-Ups
Each month, students meet their peers in small groups to learn about various topics. These programs include experiments, live animals, special behind-the-scenes tours, hikes in the Zilker Nature Preserve, and other engaging activities.
13-16-year-olds develop their leadership skills in nature-based education by assisting the staff as Educators-in-Training (EITs). Before each session, EITs meet with an ANSC instructor to discuss their role and then assist with a sign-in tabling activity for younger students. After sign-in, each EIT will join one age group to mentor students and assist the ANSC staff. EITs also learn to handle several of our program animals and present to the younger students.
Class Details:
Sessions for ages 4-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-12 years, and 13-16 years
Monthly meet-up times for ages 4-12 years: 10:00-11:30am or 12:30-2:00pm.
Monthly meet-up times for ages 13-16 years (Educators-in-Training): 9:30-11:30am or 12:00-2:00pm.
2026-2027 Dates and Themes
October 20 or 21: Above & Below
November 3 or 4: Fish & Aquatic Habitats
November 17 or 18: Survival Skills
December 15 or 16: Texas Ecology & Soil
January 19 or 20: Conservation & Stewardship
February 2 or 3: Engineering & STEAM
February 16 or 17: Birds
Fees for all 7 sessions
Ages 4-12: $65 City of Austin resident/ $85 non-COA resident
Ages 13-16: $55 City of Austin residents/ $65 non-COA residents
- Homeschool Science Club
This program is designed for students to explore, make observations, and answer questions using the scientific method. Through making hypotheses, hands-on experiments, data collection, graphing, and presentation, students will develop their understanding of how experimentation helps us learn.
Our group of younger students will develop a group project to share at the ANSC Science Fair. Older students will each work on individual projects. Projects that meet eligibility requirements can enter the Greater Austin Area Regional Science Fair (GARSEF).
Class Details:
1st and 2nd grades, typically 6-8 years
3rd through 5th grade, typically 8-11 years (must be able to read and write independently)
Science Club meets from 11:00 am -12:30 pm.
2026-2027 Dates:
October 13
November 10
December 8
January 5
January 12 (ANSC Science Fair)
Fees for all 5 sessions:
$125 City of Austin residents/ $145 non-COA residents (Includes entry fee to Austin Regional Science Fair for eligible projects!)
- Homeschool Adventure Series
Each three-week session focuses on a different adventure activity. Activities include biking, caving, archery, and other adventure skills. Bring a sack lunch and a refillable water bottle! Participants in the Biking session must be able to ride a bike for three miles unassisted.
Class Details:
Designed for ages 12-15
Adventure Series meets from 9:00am-1:00pm
2026-2027 Dates and Themes:
Series 1: Outdoor Skills - October 8, October 15, October 22, *rain date October 29
Series 2: Climbing - November 5, November 23, November 19, *rain date December 3
Series 3: Caving - January 7, January 14, January 21, *rain date January 28
Series 4: Biking - February 4, February 11, February 18, *rain date February 25 (participants must be able to ride a bike for 3 miles unassisted)
*Rain dates will only meet in the event inclement weather requires the cancelation of a previous date. You will be notified in advance if we are canceling due to weather.
Fee for each series:
$125 City of Austin residents/ $145 non-COA residents (Includes all required equipment)
- Program Overview and Registration
Registration for the 2026-2027 school year Group Reservations will open online at 10:00 on Friday, August 21. Registration information coming soon.
Your group may choose to visit the Nature Center on your own (without an Instructor-led Program) and explore at your own pace.
A group reservation for your self-guided field trip is required for any groups of 15 or more. This applies to all types of group visits: schools, summer camps, non-profits, childcare facilities, homeschool groups, afterschool programs, large family groups, or any group of 15 or more.
We can accommodate up to 200 visitors for each group reservation. If your preferred visit date is unavailable, you will need to choose a different date.
A reservation provides you with a two-hour arrival window where your group may begin to explore the site at your own pace: 9:00am-11:00am, 11:00am-1:00pm, 1:00-3:00pm, and 3:00-5:00pm. Your group may arrive any time during your two-hour arrival window and may stay up until closing at 5:00pm.
- Payment, Fees, and Cancellations
Payment:
You will receive a confirmation email from anscprograms@austintexas.gov and an invoice that you or your school or district can pay by:
- Credit card by phone before your trip, call (512)974-3888 to make payment
- Credit card when you check in at the front desk
- Check when you check in at the front desk, or by mail. Checks must be issued for the exact amount of the invoice. Checks can be made out to Austin Nature & Science Center and sent to our mailing address: 301 Nature Center Drive Austin, Texas 78746. For At Your School programs, we cannot accept checks at your school; please have checks mailed for the exact invoiced amount.
Fees:
Cancellations:
- Cancellation & Refund Policy: If a written cancellation request is received 7 or more calendar days in advance of your reservation, we will gladly refund your balance minus a $35 processing fee. If your balance due is less than $35, there is no refund. If a written cancellation request is made with less than 7 calendar day notice, there will be no refunds or credits issued, and you will owe any balance due. Please send all cancellation and refund requests in writing to anscprograms@austintexas.gov.
- Inclement Weather Cancellation/Rescheduling – Our site is open rain or shine. In case of predicted precipitation: please plan to bring appropriate outdoor weather clothing and gear. Please reconsider eating lunch on site if precipitation is predicted, there is NO indoor or covered space to eat. In the case of severe or dangerous weather conditions predicted by NOAA or local emergency management agencies, we will work with you to cancel or transfer to any other available dates free of charge.