School Programs

The Mayborn Museum Complex offers
1-2 hour(s) of programming, depending on the grade level and topic you choose for your group. All of our programs provide the opportunity to touch, explore, and investigate exhibits linked to cultural history and natural science.

Download our 2012-2013 school group brochure in PDF format (164kb).

Group Field Trip info

Programs are offered September 4, 2012 through May 31, 2013 (excluding weekends and holidays).

• Maximum group size to reserve a program is not to exceed 6 classes, or 120 students. Please notify us prior to your visit if you have a significant change in the number of kids in your group. Programming will need to be altered for a change in group size.
• Larger groups can be accommodated with self-guided tours.

• School name, phone number, mailing address, e-mail address, and contact person.
• Grade level, number of classes, and number of students
• Name of program you want to book (see listing)
• Alternate dates and times in case of scheduling conflicts

 
LOCATION AND TIMES

• All programs are held in the Mayborn Museum Complex at 1300 S. University Parks Dr.
• Programs begin promptly at 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 12:00 or 12:30. When possible, we will accommodate out-of-town groups by adjusting their tour schedules.

 
DROP OFF AND PICK-UP

• Arrive 15 minutes early for unloading, group greeting, and directions.
• Unfortunately, due to our tight programming schedule, late arrivals may lose part of their program time.
• From University Parks Drive, enter the museum's circle drive. Continue around the building to the designated bus unloading zone.
• After unloading, buses will park in the rear portion of the museum parking lot designated for buses.

 
PAYMENT

• We charge a minimum of $45 for programming up to 15 people.
• For groups of 15 or more the cost is $3 per child (regardless of age).
• Teachers receive free admission.
• Payment may be made by cash, check, or credit card upon arrival.
• Make checks payable to Baylor University.
• Separate checks must be written for store purchases.

For people accompanying the group, costs will be:

While Mayborn Memberships may be used for additional guests, they cannot be applied towards students participating in programming.

Bonus: No extra cost to visit our traveling exhibit when booking The Explore Tour, The Discovery Tour, Junior Scientist, or our Self-Guided Tour on the following dates:

• Sept. 4 - Sept. 21 Encounters with the Maya
• Jan. 26 - April 28 Robots + Us

 
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

• If you need to cancel, call 254-710-7526 as soon as possible so that your time may be given to others.
• Refunds over $25 will be mailed

 
LUNCH GUIDELINES

The picnic tables located outside are available free of charge. In case of inclement weather, extreme temperatures, or Village closures, please make arrangements for lunch off-site. If you are from out of town, the following places can potentially accommodate groups for lunch:

• Bledsoe Miller Recreation Center (254-750-8684)
• Ferrell Center (254-749-2302)
• Waco Parks and Recreation (254-750-8080)

Please bring trash bags for your trash.

 
SPECIAL PROGRAMS:
The following programs are only offered during a designated time of the year. During this time period, these are the only school programs which are offered at the museum. These programs are 1½ to 2 hours long.

• Village Days (Pre-K & K) (October 22-26, 2012 & April 15-19, 2013)
• Come experience life in a late 1800's Texas community with fun hands-on activities. (Weather Permitting)

• Christmas at the Mayborn
• The entire museum is decorated for the holidays. Children rotate through several areas of the museum learning the science and history behind Christmas. This program is offered November 26 through December 14.
• Self-Guided
• Once you have been greeted by a Mayborn Museum staff member, your group will stay together and rotate through the museum spending a few exciting minutes in each area. Dates are restricted. Please call for more information. (On the restricted dates, a minimum number of children is not required.) (Excludes Village)

 
PROGRAMS
Programs are 1 to 2 hours long. All programs are adapted to the grade level attending and address TEKS principles. All programs are hands-on, participatory, and use multiple exhibit areas of the museum (depending on the program and grade level.)

• Junior Historians (Pre-K - 2^nd grade)
  21st century children are transported back to the late 1800's to learn about the Native Americans of this area and the early Texas pioneer.
• Explore Tour (Pre-K - 1^st grade)
  In this tour, children will rotate though several different areas of the museum and engage in hands-on fun.
• Communities Then and Now (1^st - 8^th grade)
  Children will compare the community in which they live with a rural Texas riverfront community in the late 1800's. This program takes place in the Bill & Vara Daniel Historic Village. (Weather Permitting)
• Junior Scientists (2^nd - 3^rd grade)
  This tour gives students an opportunity to visit several of our discovery rooms to extend their science and social studies concepts.
• The Discovery Tour (4^th - 8^th grade)
  In this tour, children will rotate through several different areas of the museum to engage in critical thinking and hands-on fun.
• Making Waves (2^nd - 8^th grade)
  Students study light waves, sound waves, and water waves.
• Science Whiz (2^nd - 8^th grade)
  Students explore various forms of energy, simple machines, and weather.