Hands-on experiences are one of the best ways to learn more, make great memories and gather new information. This is a list of free activities and field trip locations in Texas, from great works of art to the great outdoors! If you’re a teacher, tutor or a parent looking for free educational opportunities for your curious crew, check out one of these free field trip destinations around Texas.
Please note that large groups sometimes require advance reservations; be sure to contact the organization you’re interested in directly for more information.
Select the City
Amarillo
Madam Queen
Visit a real steam locomotive engine built in 1930 for the Santa Fe Railway. During her reign in the Pecos Division, the Madam Queen logged 1,750,000 miles! She was retired from service in 1953 and donated to the City of Amarillo in 1957.
Operating Hours: Daily
Notes: Please check online before planning a visit to make sure it is still in operation and accessible to the public.
Phone: 800-692-1338 (Amarillo Convention and Visitor Council number)
Texas Air and Space Museum
Take flight, little aviators! The Texas Air and Space Museum honors the Texas Panhandle’s history of flight. From photos and newspaper articles dating back to the beginning of English Field Airport to exhibits of aircraft including biplanes and a historic DC-3.
The exhibits displayed in this Museum will attract established aviation fans and create new ones. It is a premier aviation museum to honor servicemen and servicewomen, aviators, and astronauts from pre-World War II to today.
Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Notes: N/A
Phone: 806-335-9159
Corpus Christi
Fulton Schoolhouse Museum
School’s in session at the Fulton Schoolhouse Museum! Learn about the history of Fulton, Texas, 35 miles outside Corpus Christi, by visiting this one-room schoolhouse rebuilt in the 1940s after being damaged by a hurricane. The schoolhouse is set up as it would have been during its use in the early 20th century. The Museum also includes a replica of the Fulton Mansion for visitors to enjoy.
Operating Hours: Saturday and Sunday afternoons
Notes: Tours for large groups or schools are available upon request. Contact Town Hall for more information.
Phone: 361-729-5533
Texas Surf Museum
Go hang 10 at the Texas Surf Museum, the ONLY surf museum in the state of Texas! Explore the history of surfing and learn about Texas’ unique role in that history. Enjoy the photographs that capture the evolution of surf culture and catch a film highlighting the sport. Exhibits underscoring the importance of water conservation and the preservation of beaches, bays, and waterways are also on display.
Operating Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11:00am-7:00pm; Sunday, 11:00am-5:00pm; Monday, closed
Notes: Closed Mondays.
Phone: 361-882-2364
Port Aransas Ferry
Catch one of the free ferry rides running between Mustang Island and Port Aransas and the mainland. During the short 10 minute ride, watch for boats in the shipping channel and wildlife, including dolphins and pelicans.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Notes: There may be wait times during peak travel periods. Check the website for details and current conditions.
Phone: 361-749-2850
Walking Tour of Heritage Park
Get some exercise and a lesson in history with a self-guided walking tour of Heritage Park. A collection of 12 historic homes from some of the most important names in Corpus Christi development. From the second oldest structure in existence in Corpus Christi (the Merriman-Bobys House of 1851) to the Guggenheim House (one of the few Victorian homes to survive the Hurricane of 1919 in Corpus Christi), visitors can tour the premises of these homes and read the historic marker in front of each to learn about its role in Corpus Christi history.
Operating Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk for the walking tour. For tours of inside some of the homes themselves, please visit the website.
Notes: Most of the houses do not offer official tours or entry inside the home, but some are open to the public on specific days and times. Please see the website for more information, including hours and possible fees.
Phone: 361-561-2000 (Corpus Christi Visitor Information Center, located in the Merriman-Bobys house in Heritage Park)
Dallas
African American Museum, Dallas
Located on the grounds of Fair Park, the African American Museum is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of African American art, artefacts, and historical documents. The Museum’s collection includes examples of fine art, folk art, and African art and rotating exhibits are offered throughout the year. Visitors can view art representing and relating to the African American community and gain perspective on the African American experience, especially in Dallas and the Southwestern United States.
Operating Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11:00am-5:00pm; Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm
Notes: Closed Sundays, Mondays, and holidays; there is a fee for groups of 10 or more – please see the website for details.
Phone: 214-565-9026
Dallas Museum of Art (DMA)
The Dallas Museum of Art extends art lovers the opportunity to experience both permanent collections of more than 24,000 pieces of art spanning 5,00 years and visiting exhibitions that rotate regularly. The Museum offers a variety of programs and community workshops and teachers can schedule student visits, teacher workshops, and request a Framework for Engaging with Art materials packet before a planned visit to the Museum.
Operating Hours: Monday: Closed; Tuesday-Wednesday: 11:00am-5:00pm; Thursday: 11:00am-9:00pm; Friday-Sunday: 11:00am-5:00pm
Notes: Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day; some exhibitions require ticket purchase.
Phone: 214-922-1200
Fair Park
Dallas’ Fair Park is a sprawling 277-acres of cultural, educational, and sports facilities accommodating more than 1,200 activities annually. Opened in 1886 to host the Dallas State Fair, the facility has grown over the years and is the only intact and unaltered pre-1950s world fair site in the US.
Explore the Park’s 3 million+ historic documents and objects on display at the Hall of State and gaze at the exemplary examples of 1930s art and architecture. The Park hosts a multitude of free events, including a free summer movie series, the Esplanade Walking Tour, and a Lagoon Walking Tour.
Operating Hours: Depends on an event. Visit the website to plan a trip and check the daily operating times.
Notes: Some areas of Fair Park require paid tickets. Check the website for a calendar of events and free activities.
Phone: 214-426-3400
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Who doesn’t love money? But who really understands it? The Economy in Action exhibit at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas offers visitors a self-guided tour to learn about American currency from the Colonial period through the 20th century. Learn about the development of the Federal Reserve banking system and find out how money moves around the country. Understanding the regional economy and the role it plays in the global economy helps visitors understand the role of energy, exports, services, and manufacturing.
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Notes: Closed on Bank Holidays; groups of 15-40 can schedule one of the guided tours, offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00am and 1:00pm, but they must be scheduled in advance – contact the Bank for more information or to schedule a tour; all adult guests must present a valid government-issued photo ID.
Phone: 214-922-5267
John Neely Bryan Cabin and Founder’s Plaza
Hard to believe that the sprawling modern city of Dallas started with one man’s camp by the Trinity River. Visit Founder’s Plaza and see a replica of John Neely Bryan’s log cabin. The Old Dallas Courthouse, in all its Romanesque Revival style glory, stands on the site of the county’s original log courthouse and serves as a museum of Dallas County history and culture. The John F. Kennedy Memorial is open to visitors and Dealey Plaza and the infamous Texas School Book Depository building are a short walk away.
Operating Hours: The Dallas Visitor’s Center is open 7 days a week, including most major holidays, from 9:00am-5:00pm
Notes: An audio tour is available for download. Visit the website for more details.
Phone: Tourist info: 214-571-1316; Events hotline: 214-571-1301
Juanita J. Craft’s Civil Rights House
Honoring civil rights activist Juanita J. Craft, this museum is one of only three house museums in the country honoring major female figures in the modern civil rights movement. The home is a 1920 Craftsman bungalow where Ms Craft lived for 35 years, organizing NAACP events, leading efforts to desegregate Texas universities, and serving as a Dallas city councilwoman.
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:30pm
Notes: Tours available by appointment only.
Phone: 214-670-8637
Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park is a 5.2-acre deck park and has quickly become an active space, serving as a central gathering place for the downtown Dallas community. The Park offers daily free programming for the public in its Performance Pavilion and throughout the Park grounds. Educators and families are encouraged to visit the website to learn more about learning opportunities and kid-friendly events.
Operating Hours: Daily, 6:00am-11:00pm
Notes: Teachers can download a free TEKS-aligned curriculum guide to help plan a learning-filled visit – see website for pdf link.
Phone: 214-716-4500
Pioneer Plaza
If a round-up is what you are looking for, head to Pioneer Plaza and see the life-sized bronze sculpture recreation of a cattle drive, complete with three cowboys on horseback and some big longhorn steers. The Plaza also has a variety of native plants and trees and a flowing stream that includes a waterfall. Historic details on the sculptures help bring Dallas’ cowboy history to life.
Operating Hours: Daily
Notes: N/A
Phone: 214-953-1184
The Samurai Collection at The Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum
Immerse yourself in Japanese culture and experience beautifully crafted masterpieces of battle with a visit to the Samurai Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller. The collection includes over 1,000 samurai objects including armor, weapons, helmets, masks, and horse armor and equipment.
The museum is located on the second floor of the historic Saint Ann Building. Self-guided tours allow visitors to learn about samurai culture and history.
Operating Hours: Tuesday, 11:00am-8:00pm; Wednesday-Saturday, 11:00am-6:00pm; Sunday, 11:00am-5:00pm
Notes: Closed on Mondays.
Phone: 214-965-1032
The Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art
Travel to the Orient without leaving Dallas. Trammell and Margaret Crow have been collecting Asian art since the 1960s and their collection is now housed in the Crow Collection Museum. From Korean ceramics to Buddhist and Hindu art, the collection is extensive and covers the regions of China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia. While there, escape to the serenity of the sculpture garden, complete with 15 contemporary and historical pieces nestled among the bamboo, maples, azaleas, and pine.
Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm
Notes: Closed Mondays, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day; the galleries may be closed due to special events or inclement weather – call or check the museum’s Facebook page or Twitter account for up-to-date information; Admission is free, though donations are always appreciated.
Phone: 214-979-6440
El Paso
Centennial Museum and Gardens
There’s a lot of life in the desert! The El Paso Centennial Museum, the oldest museum in El Paso, features exhibits focusing on the natural and cultural history of the Chihuahuan Desert region and its settlement by people through the centuries. The Museum hosts a variety of collaborative exhibits for the community – check the website for an updated calendar of events. The friendship that exists between the University of Texas, El Paso, and the country of Bhutan can be seen in the Lhakhang exhibit, a hand-carved, hand-painted gift from the people of Bhutan to the people of the United States and residing currently at the UTEP campus. The Museum Gardens display the wide variety of flora found in the Chihuahuan Desert and adjacent desert regions in the US and Mexico.
Operating Hours: Centennial Museum: Monday-Saturday, 10:00am-4:30pm (closed Sundays, holidays, and during UTEP football games); Chihuahuan Desert Gardens: Open daily from dawn to dusk; The Lhakhang: Wednesday 11:00am-1:00pm, first Sunday of each month, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Notes: N/A
Phone: 915-747-5565
Chamizal National Memorial
The United States and Mexico found themselves embroiled in border disputes for many years. Chamizal, managed by the National Park Service, serves as a reminder of the harmonious settlement of a 100-year border dispute between the two nations caused by a change in course of the Rio Grande.
Here, the cultures of the two countries are presented and celebrated in a Cultural Center located on Park grounds. The Franklin G. Smith Gallery is also open to visitors. Hike and explore this desert gem. Events and festivals open to the public, some fees may apply – check the website.
Operating Hours: Park Hours: Daily, 7:00am-10:00pm; Visitor’s Center Hours: Daily, 10:00am-5:00pm
Notes: Periodic weather events may lead to the closure of the Park – please check the website for alerts and closures.
Phone: 915-532-7273
El Paso County Historical Society
The El Paso County Historical Society was established in 1954 to preserve and share the history of El Paso with the public. With headquarters housed in the historic Burges House, built in 1912, the Historical Society has amassed a large collection of photographs and documents from El Paso’s early days and shows the development of the area from a small village of adobe buildings to a full-scale modern city.
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00am-2:00pm
Notes: Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.
Phone: 915-533-3603
El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center
The world must never forget. As the memories of World War II fade into history, the only fully bilingual Holocaust museum in the United States, the El Paso Holocaust Museum, works to keep alive the memories of the millions of people murdered by the Nazi regime from 1933-1945. Several multimedia galleries provide a timeline of the events of the Holocaust and present information to visitors in both English and Spanish.
Operating Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 1:00pm-5:00pm; Monday, closed; Tuesday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm
Notes: All self-guided tours must begin 30 minutes prior to scheduled closing times; check the website for holidays when the Museum will be closed; trained volunteers can be scheduled to visit schools or groups unable to visit the Museum; curriculum trunks available by reservation for groups planning a trip to the Museum.
Phone: 915-351-0048
El Paso Museum of Archaeology Wilderness Park
Step back in time with a visit to the El Paso Museum of Archaeology. The North Gallery houses exhibits of artefacts from Southwest and Mexican culture, both ancient and modern. In the South Gallery, visitors can marvel at dioramas depicting the everyday lives of Native Americans in the El Paso region of the US from the Ice Age to the 20th Century.
Hike the nature trails on the grounds of the Museum and see if you can count the over 250 varieties of Chihuahuan Desert native plants that call the area home. Lectures and demonstrations of Native American games and culture are also given – check the website’s calendar of events.
Operating Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00am-5:00pm; Sunday, 12:00pm-5:00pm; Closed Mondays and major holidays
Notes: Free tours are offered Tuesday-Saturday – 2 weeks’ advance reservation required.
Phone: 915-755-4332
El Paso Museum of History
Come explore El Paso’s bright and colorful history and culture by visiting the Museum’s five galleries representing over 400 years of US and Mexico border history. Travelling exhibits and the Heritage Hallway provide insight into local culture and regional interests. The Neighborhoods and Shared Memories exhibit shares the history of El Paso’s first annexed neighborhoods and features photographs and oral histories of early El Paso residents. Come discover El Paso’s history!
Operating Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00am-5:00pm; Thursday, 9:00am-9:00pm; Sunday, 12:00pm-5:00pm; closed Mondays
Notes: Closed Mondays and City Holidays; admission is free, though some exhibits may require ticket purchase – see website for details.
Phone: 915-212-0320
The TecH2O Center
Water in the desert is a scarce resource. Learn all about water education and water management in the desert with a visit to the TecH2O Center, built and maintained by El Paso Water. The interactive Water Museum is filled with exhibits dedicated to teaching about water conservation and management, in addition to exposure to ecological and environmental systems.
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (appointment preferred)
Notes: Appointments preferred; check the website for holiday closures; tours must be scheduled in advance.
Phone: 915-621-2000
Ysleta Mission
Walk some of the historic Mission Trail and visit the oldest Mission on it, Ysleta Mission, built in 1682. Spanish missionaries spread the Christian word through the building of Missions to serve as religious and social centers of the community.
Combining the heritage and culture of Hispanics and Native Americans, the missions along Mission Trail continue to serve as working examples of faith in the community and the Ysleta Mission remains an active parish.
Operating Hours: Daily; please check the website or call Diocese for exact hours
Notes: N/A
Phone: 915-872-8411 (Catholic Diocese of El Paso)
Galveston
Galveston County Historical Museum
Explore Galveston’s past with a visit to The Galveston County Historical Museum, located in the City National Bank Building. The building itself was erected in 1919 and has been converted into a museum space housing exhibits on The Great Storm of 1900, a hurricane with wind speeds upwards of 145 mph that made landfall near Galveston and caused massive devastation to the area. Also on display are artefact exhibits of Native American art and culture and examples of noteworthy Galveston architecture. A lighthouse lens from a 19th-century lighthouse and actual footage from the 1900 Storm are also part of the Museum’s exhibit.
Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday, 12:00pm-5:00pm
Notes: Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day; check the website for ticket costs for some exhibits.
Phone: 409-766-2340
Galveston Island Ferry
Ahoy, Captain! Head out to sea (or at least to the waters between Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula) with a ride on the Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry. Watch playful dolphins “race” the boat, marvel at the size of ocean-going ships entering or leaving Galveston or Houston wharves, and look for the remains of the Selma, an experimental concrete ship built during World War I that sank off the coast in 1922 as you enjoy the 13-minute crossing.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours a day, weather permitting
Notes: Check website for ferry schedule!
Phone: 409-795-2230
Galveston Island State Park
Spend a day at the bay with a trip to Galveston Island State Park. The 2,000 acres of surf, sand, coastal prairie, freshwater ponds, wetlands, and bayous is home to hundreds of species of wildlife. The Friends of Galveston Island State Park offer free field trips to the Park; to set up a field trip, contact the Park Ranger at 409-737-1222. Community events include Beach and Bay Day, Camp Wild, and Bird Sit are open to the public as well.
Operating Hours: Daily, 7:00am-10:00pm, but field trips are scheduled by appointment only
Notes: Call Park Ranger to schedule free field trips and to have entry fee waived.
Phone: 409-737-1222
Galveston Tree Sculpture Tour
From destruction can rise beauty. In September of 2008, Hurricane Ike ravaged the Gulf Coast and covered most of Galveston in a tidal surge. As a result, thousands of trees were uprooted or destroyed by the salty water. Considering this an opportunity to create beauty out of destruction, sculpture artists began to transform the debris of dead trees into whimsical sculptures. You can find most of the tree sculptures in the East End Historic District. Visit the website and download the map for a listing of where to find these hidden beauties and go on walking tour to search for these treasures.
Operating Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk
Notes: Sculptures are located throughout the city, usually in public places, so there are no operating hours
Phone: 409-797-5144 (Galveston Island Information Center)
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Research Center
Part of the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, the Galveston Laboratory and Research Center is renowned for its work with the beautiful Kemp Ridley sea turtles found off the coast in the Gulf of Mexico. The Center is the only federal facility in the U.S. dedicated to the captive rearing of these creatures and their research on husbandry techniques, feeding, pathology, tagging, and rehabilitation of sick and injured sea turtles has helped give marine biologists insight into these magnificent turtles.
Operating Hours: Free tours are given Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 10:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm
Notes: Call for tour appointments.
Phone: 409-766-3670
La King’s Confectionery
If you have a sweet tooth, this is the destination for you. La King’s Confectionery has been making old-fashioned candies since 1927. In their Galveston shop, a 1920s style candy store, complete with soda fountain and cases of handmade candy, has been recreated and they use machines and equipment from the era to recreate authentic candy recipes. Stop in and enjoy an hour-long taffy-making demonstration, complete with a free sample.
Operating Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10:00am-8:30pm; Friday, 10:00am-9:00pm; Saturday, 10:00am-9:30pm
Notes: No taffy demonstrations on Thursdays during summer – check the website for updated taffy demonstration information
Phone: 409-762-6100
Seawall Urban Park
Have a picnic on the beach! With 32 miles of beaches, Galveston has lots of places to go on sunny days to cool down in the water. Seawall Urban Park is comprised of 10 miles of beach and boasts the nation’s longest continuous sidewalk. From the Seawall Urban Park, it is an easy walk to the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier amusement park (ticket purchase required). Splash in the Gulf of Mexico and relax on the sandy beach.
Operating Hours: Daily, 6:00am-11:00pm
Notes: Check website for Park rules.
Phone: 409-797-5000
Houston
Art Car Museum
Vroom! Vroom! Rev up the engines and visit the Art Car Museum, a museum dedicated to the fine art – of cars. This contemporary art museum is an exhibition forum for a variety of local, national, and international artists who work to create a new image of the automobile. Rotating exhibitions also include art from other media as well. Visit the “Garage Mahal” and be amazed by automotive art!
Operating Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11:00am-6:00pm
Notes: Closed Monday-Tuesday; call ahead to accommodate large groups.
Phone: 713-861-5526
Buffalo Soldiers Museum
Not a squadron of buffaloes, but the name given to African-American soldiers who served with the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army following the Civil War. This group of former slaves, freedmen, and Civil War soldiers were the first African-Americans to serve during peacetime. Learn about these brave men and their role in Westward expansion with a visit to the Buffalo Soldiers Museum. Thursday afternoons offer free admission to the Museum.
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00am-5:00pm, Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Notes: Free Admission on Thursdays, 1:00pm-5:00pm; closed Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Phone: 713-942-8920
The Health Museum
Learn all about all different aspects of health in this interactive, hands-on museum. From cell activity to the systems that keep a body running, The Health Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate. Find out what you’re made of in the Amazing Body Gallery and walk through a 10-foot tall brain, a 12-foot tall beating heart, and try out the Jump, Stretch and Hang Activity to test your vertical hanging endurance. Free family admission Thursday afternoons, 2:00pm-7:00pm.
Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-5:00pm; Thursday, 9:00am-7:00pm; Sunday, 12:00pm-5:00pm; Free Family Day: Thursdays 2:00pm-7:00pm
Notes: Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; Free Family Day: Thursdays 2:00pm-7:00pm.
Phone: 713-521-1515
The Holocaust Museum Houston
Lest the world forget the atrocities brought by prejudice and hatred in society, the Holocaust Museum Houston is dedicated to remembering the impact of violence and intolerance. With a permanent exhibit of a look at life before the Holocaust to Hitler’s rise to power to the implementation of concentration camps and the extermination carried out within them, this museum explains through artefacts, letters, photographs, and film the roles of collaborators, bystanders, rescuers, liberators, and victims. See a 1942 World War II railcar, the type used to carry millions of Jews to their deaths, a Danish rescue boat like those used to save thousands of fleeing Jews, and two changing galleries for art and photography exhibits. The Garden of Hope is dedicated to children everywhere in memory of the 1.5 million children who died in the Holocaust.
Operating Hours: Open 7 days a week; Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm; Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm
Notes: Free admission Sundays; Free to students with valid ID 7 days a week; closed major holidays including Easter Sunday, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day; please check the website for holiday closures or alternate hours of operation; the Museum has moved to 9220 Kirby Drive with a new museum campus opening in the Spring of 2019.
Phone: 713-942-8000
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
Head outdoors and escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a visit to the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. A 155-acre sanctuary for wildlife and local native plants, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center offers visitors five miles of trails to explore and open access to the Nature Center building with Discovery Room where students of all ages can engage with interactive exhibits and activities. The Wildlife Garden teaches visitors about the best plantings to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife using native plants.
Operating Hours: Open daily; Grounds and Trails: March-September, 7:00am-7:30pm; October-February, 7:00a,-6:30pm; Discovery Room: 10:00am-4:00pm (closed Mondays)
Notes: All visitors must be off premises by dusk, no exceptions; buildings may be closed on major holidays – check the website; reservations required for group programs; the Discovery Room may occasionally be closed for group events – call to check availability.
Phone: 713-681-8433
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Not your average art museum! Houston’s Center for Contemporary Craft celebrates art made primarily of craft materials, including clay, fibre, glass, metal, wood, or “found” and recycled materials. The Center also includes an Artist Hall where visitors can explore the work of artists-in-residence. Wander through the Craft Garden, which includes plants used in basket-making, textiles, dyes, and papers. Hands-on workshops are available, though fees may apply. Check the website for an updated calendar of events.
Operating Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm
Notes: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays; closed on major holidays; free, docent-led tours available Wednesday-Saturday, 10:30am-3:30pm – contact the Center to reserve and day and time.
Phone: 713-529-4848
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Check out fossils and fossil replicas in the Hall of Paleontology, explore the Hall of Ancient Egypt, admire the Hall of Gems and Minerals, and learn about Texas natives in the Hall of Texas Wildlife. The Houston Museum of Natural Science includes thousands of specimens and artefacts spanning the millennia. Check out the Foucault Pendulum, first exhibited at the 1851 World’s Fair in Paris, and be mesmerized as you watch the pendulum swing to the Earth’s rotation.
Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:00am-6:00pm; Free Thursdays – check the website for hours of free admission
Notes: Free Thursdays – check the website for hours of free admission; some exhibits require ticket purchase – check the website for details.
Phone: 713-639-4629
Port Houston Boat Tour
How do products and goods make their way around the world? Hop on board the M/V Sam Houston and take a tour of the busy Houston Ship Channel to learn more. Port Houston handles over 6 million tons of cargo each year, making it one of the largest ports in the nation. The 90-minute round-trip, educational tour teaches passengers about the port and maritime history.
Operating Hours: Tour hours vary. Call or check availability online.
Notes: Tour is free, but reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance – register online by visiting the website.
Phone: 713-670-2631
Sam Houston Park
Explore the history of the city with a self-guided tour of authentically restored historical buildings representing the area’s growth from before statehood to the early 20th century. Free cell phone tours explain the historical significance of a variety of buildings, including the 1847 Kellum Noble House (the oldest surviving building constructed in Houston with original brick walls made with mud from Nathaniel Kellum’s brickyard on Buffalo Bayou) and the 1905 Staiti House, with examples of “modern” amenities such as electric lights, an intercom system, and built-in icebox.
Operating Hours: The Park itself is open daily, from dawn to dusk; Museum and Tour Office: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm, closed Sunday and Monday
Notes: Guided tours of the interiors of the structures available for a fee; cell phone tour is free and can be downloaded from the website.
Phone: 713-655-1912
Waugh Drive Bridge
Nocturnal creatures most commonly associated with Halloween, you can visit an amazing colony of bats right in the city of Houston! Located less than two miles west of Downtown, an estimated 250,000 Mexican Free-Tailed Bats call the underside of Waugh Drive Bridge, home. Viewing is free from the viewing platform, sidewalk, or bridge. Boat tours are also available for a fee. Watch these amazing creatures reach speeds of up to 99mph.
Operating Hours: Open year-round; viewing is best done at sunset when the bats emerge to feed on insects
Notes: Bats don’t like the cold or wet, so rarely emerge if temperatures drop below 50 degrees or it’s raining; “Bat Chats” occur at the bridge on Friday nights from March through October, staffed by the Houston Area Bat Team.
Phone: 832-395-7000 (City of Houston Parks and Recreation Dept.)
San Antonio
Cibolo Nature Center and Farm
Walk the miles of nature trails, get your feet wet in the Cibolo Creek, and consider what things might have looked like millions of years ago when dinosaurs roamed this area. The Center is home to a wide variety of birds and wildlife and includes several different ecosystems, including tallgrass prairie, riparian rainforest, live oak savannah, and spring-fed marsh. Bring plenty of water and your bug spray and enjoy some outdoor exploration!
Operating Hours: Cibolo Nature Center: Daily, dawn to dusk; Herff Farm: Saturday, 9:00am-1:00pm
Notes: Groups of 10 or more need to call ahead to check schedule and discuss payment options; general admission is free.
Phone: 830-249-4616
Comanche Lookout Park
Climb the hill and learn about how the Native Americans who first settled here used this hill as a vantage point for hunting or during periods of war. Check out the view from the top of the fourth-highest point in Bexar County where you can see the Cibolo floodplain and imagine what it would have been like to hunt along the waterways of the Cibolo Creek. Learn about the history of the area from its Apache and Comanche occupations to the building of a medieval-style stone tower in the 1920s as you walk the five miles of hiking trails.
Operating Hours: Daily, 5:00am-11:00pm
Notes: N/A
Phone: 210-207-7275
McNay Art Museum
Find art inside and out at this San Antonio Museum, the first museum of modern art in Texas. Housed in a 24-room Spanish colonial-revival-style mansion on 23 acres of land, the McNay Art Museum began with the donation of Marion Koogler McNay, an American painter, and art teacher, with a vision to create the first museum of modern art in the state. Her collection of more than 700 works of art from artists like Diego Rivera and Paul Gauguin has grown into a collection of more than 20,000 pieces. Sculpture, painting, drawings, prints and the architecture and landscape design of the grounds are sure to inspire visitors.
Operating Hours: Sunday, 12:00pm-5:00pm; Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm; Thursday, 10:00am-9:00pm; Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm; closed Monday
Notes: Closed Mondays and major holidays; during Daylight Savings Time, the grounds are open 7:00am-7:00pm; during Standard Time they are open 7:00am-6:00pm; Free admission Thursday nights and the first Sunday of each month – please see website for calendar of free admission days/times and a list of exhibits requiring ticket purchase.
Phone: 210-824-5368
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Four in one! This park features four distinct sites, all within a relatively short distance from one another. Mission Concepción is 3 miles south of downtown; Mission San José is home to the Visitor Center; Mission San Juan is where the Spanish colonial demonstration farm is located, and Mission Espada is the farthest south of the four.
Each of these missions served as religious and social centers and safe havens for the people of the surrounding communities and each continues to hold religious services that are open to the public.
Operating Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset; Visitor Center: Daily, 9:00am-5:00pm
Notes: All sites closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Phone: 210-932-1001
San Antonio Museum of Art
Visit one of the most comprehensive collections of ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Near East art in a public museum in the US. There is a variety of educational programs available to schools and teachers to prepare for a visit to the Museum. Hands-on activities and interactive opportunities make this a fun place for kids to visit and learn.
Operating Hours: Free General Admission Tuesdays, 4:00pm-9:00pm and Sundays, 10:00am-12:00pm; General Hours: Tuesday and Friday, 10:00am-9:00pm; Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday, 10:00am-5:00pm; closed Monday
Notes: Closed Mondays and major holidays.
Phone: 210-978-8100
San Antonio Public Library
It’s more than just books! The San Antonio Public Library system offers a wide variety of kid-friendly activities, including puppet shows, arts and crafts, and demonstrations like live animals. Exhibits and activities engage learners of all ages with programs designed to engage imaginations. Check the website for a calendar of events.
Operating Hours: Check the website – hours for branches vary.
Notes: N/A
Phone: 210-207-2500
The Alamo
“Remember the Alamo!”
This famous battle cry was meant to spur on the forces of Sam Houston in the battle against the Mexican army. Today visitors can tour the mission turned military outpost turned museum and historical landmark. The Church building now serves as a Shrine of Texas Liberty. Lesson plans and History Trunks are available to teachers interested in having their students learn about the Alamo.
Operating Hours: May 26-September 4, 9:00am-7:00pm; September 5-May 25, 9:00am-5:30pm
Notes: Closed Christmas Day; last entry is 15 minutes before closing.
Phone: 210-225-1391
UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures
This Smithsonian Affiliate invites all learners to come and learn about the cultures that make up the state of Texas. Interactive exhibits, displays of art and culture, help bring Texas history and the cultures of its people to life.
Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-5:00pm; Sunday, 12:00pm-5:00pm
Notes: Free admission every second Sunday of the month, except in February and June; check the website for dates of closure.
Phone: 210-458-2300
Witte Museum
The Witte Museum has been a community cultural center since its opening in 1926. Come explore the variety of art and artefacts and marvel at exhibitions like “Predators vs. Prey: Dinosaurs on the Land Before Texas” and “Gatherings at the Waters: 12,000 Years of People”. Check the website for a current list of exhibitions and for special program and event offerings.
Operating Hours: Monday, Wednesday-Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm; Tuesday, 10:00am-8:00pm; Sunday, 12:00pm-5:00pm
Notes: Free admission Tuesdays from 3:00pm-8:00pm.
Phone: 210-357-1900
Overview of USATestprep and the QA position:
USATestprep is a rapidly growing, market-leading, education technology company based in suburban Atlanta. Our passionate, close-knit team has built a high growth, profitable business
and an exceptional company culture, dedicated to supporting teachers and students across the country. We are hiring high-impact, talented staff across all departments. We seek a Quality Assurance engineer to join our team and continue building the QA function at our company. This person will be responsible for driving the test strategy, developing and running automated and manual testing, coordinating with other staff who support the testing process, and working with the rest of the technology team to refine our release process to
reduce defects.
USATestprep offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits.
Priorities and deliverables:
Define manual and automated test strategy, create and execute test cases, and
document test artifacts to ensure thorough testing of components and overall quality of
delivered product
Organize, document, and perform test cases based on specifications and interactions
with Management, Developers, and other team members
Identify, classify and prioritize issues found through testing using issue tracking system
Regularly report on product quality
Qualifications:
Advanced SQL skills writing complex queries
Experience in writing and executing automated test scripts
Experience writing and maintaining automated testing scripts
Experience using automated testing tools like Selenium, TestComplete, Test Studio,
WatiN, or similar
Ability to analyze business and/or functional requirement documents for testing purposes
Strong analytical and organizational skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Compensation package:
Annual salary of 60-80K to be reevaluated on December 1, 2018.
Annual bonus dependent on performance and company profits
Healthcare coverage effective on the first of the month following 30 days of employment
401(k) eligibility after one year of service
Profit-sharing plan eligibility after one year of service
Prorated 20 days personal time off per year
10 company-observed holidays per year
Raises and bonuses based on annual contract evaluation in December
All equipment provided
To Apply:
Please email your resume to Jay Eckard at jay@usatestprep.com.
Dear Valued Teachers,
We know that you are looking forward to your well-earned time away from the classroom this summer. As a company founded and run by former teachers, we cannot emphasize this enough: Enjoy yourselves! If your circumstances are changing and you won’t be returning to the classroom next school year, please read on.
USATestprep is seeking a teacher who is no longer in the classroom to help us with our training program in the 2018-19 school year. Here are the requirements:
- Flexible schedule in the 2018-19 school year to travel nationally and conduct training sessions with groups of teachers
- Extensive experience using USATestprep website in the classroom
- Enthusiasm for teaching fellow teachers
This is not full or part-time employment, but a contractual position. The selected applicants will be paid for all training sessions conducted and be fully reimbursed for all travel expenses. Typical travel takes 1-3 days, and you can be based anywhere in the US.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Amy Brown at amy@usatestprep.com with a copy of your resume or CV. If you know someone who may be interested, please have them do the same.
- New “Choose All” style Technology-Enhanced Performance Tasks, sometimes called “Multi-Select”
- New questions authored across our most widely-accessed standards
- New and newly-improved instructional videos
- New free response/essay style questions
- New printable worksheets added to our database
USATestprep is seeking an inside sales professional to join our growing team as a Sales Development Representative in our Kennesaw, GA office. The Sales Development Representative is responsible for prospecting and initiating the sales cycle with potential clients. Successful Sales Development Representatives are competitive, motivated by results, and are passionate about sales and the solutions we provide our clients. This position offers a unique opportunity for those who seek opportunities for advancement in a team-based environment. This is a junior sales position with salary plus commission.
Responsibilities Include:
- Prospect leads and trial users to secure appointments
- Use email to prospect decision makers
- Conduct live web demos with leads
- Reach or exceed performance metrics on calls and appointments
- Achieve both individual and team goals
- Collaborate with team members to maximize opportunities and drive sales
- Work with sales leadership to develop strategies and messaging to drive opportunities for new business
- Miscellaneous tasks may include sales admin responsibilities and other duties as directed
- Handle incoming email and phone call requests from potential clients
Required Skills:
- Experience working in a Mac environment
- Basic knowledge of formulas and filters in Microsoft Excel
- Phone-based sales experience
- Strong follow up skills
Additional Information:
- Flexible hours
- Short commute – North Cobb location
About You:
- Have at least two years experience in a consultative B2B, B2G, or SaaS sales role
- Have a desire to work with an awesome product that you can sell with conviction
- Have a proven track record of inside sales success
- Prior experience selling education or software solutions preferred
- Ability to quickly build relationships with customers over the phone
- Strong organizational skills that result in completion of daily tasks and successfully meeting all goals
Appy Online Here
About Us:
USATestprep is a leader in curriculum resources and test prep for k12 schools. We have been helping students with high-stakes tests since 1998, and we offer a multitude of test review products. Our digital platform helps engage students leading to better pass rates and graduation rates. Used by over 70,000 educators, our materials are tailored to both state and Common Core standards.
USATestprep is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
This holiday season, provide educational gift ideas to your students’ parents, grandparents, family members, and friends, to help encourage yearlong gifts of discovery and learning for your students.
Nationally Speaking….
A pass to the U.S. National Park Service provides more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the nation to visit and explore. Entrance fees, along with daily use fees, are covered for a driver 
and all passengers in a personal vehicle (up to four adults at sites that charge per person), along with all children age 15 or under admitted free. The pass is valid at all national parks and national wildlife refuges, including national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Disney’s Youth Education Series offers elementary through college programs in Applied Sciences, Environmental Studies, Liberal Arts, and Leadership Development. Students have an opportunity to experience hands-on workshops and once-in-a-lifetime performances. Costs range from $79 to $181.17 per student, year round, in both the Florida and California theme park locations. Classes to choose from include Discovering the American Spirit, Energy and Waves Physics Lab, Introduction to Global Citizenship, Leadership Strategies, Behavioral Science, Marine Life and more!
Suggest Local History, Museums, and Arts Passes Like…
The Atlanta History Center offers a 33-acre experience for adults and families, featuring award-winning exhibitions, historic houses, enchanting gardens, and interactive activities. A $99 family membership includes unlimited free entrance for up to two adults and four children, two guest passes, discounts to family festivals, invitations to member events, museum shop discounts, and more!
The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California offers a family membership for $250, providing unlimited admission for two adults with children or grandchildren, ages 3 to 21 yrs old. Features include exhibits, daily shows, tours and adventures, family activities, live webcams and more!
The Arizona Challenger Space Center in Phoenix, Arizona has a mission to educate people of all ages in the exploration of space and innovation. It offers two levels of membership, starting at $55 per year, that include free admission, guest passes, discounted simulated space missions, invitations to members only special events, and early registration for space camps.
The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta opened in 1978 and focuses on performance, museum exhibits, and education. A family membership, at $110, provides member tickets for each event, free admission to the museum, discounts on new series, priority seating, free admission to film screenings, and more!
Educational Subscriptions that Deliver
With over a million kids building apps on their website, and subscribers in over 70 countries, Bitsbox teaches real coding to kids 6 to 14 yrs old. Delivering app projects printed in books, cards, and on toys, coding projects pair with an online coding environment, resulting in real apps that work on real devices. Subscriptions start at $19.95 per month.
Steve Spangler Science offers monthly hands-on science experiments for a budding scientist or engineer, offering three levels to choose from, starting at $9.99 to $29.99 per month.
Little Passports delivers a new box each month, introducing kids either to a new world location or to a new science experiment. Beginning at $13.95 a month, with four age ranges starting at 3 yrs. old to choose from, it promises fun and engaging products.
For themed boxes with multiple activities on topics such as ocean science, space, volcanoes, music and more, order a gift subscription to Green Kids Crafts. Each box includes quality project materials, step-by-step instructions, a 12-page activity magazine, and more. Ranging in age groups from 2 to 10+, subscriptions run from $17.95 to 27.95 per month.
With a goal to inspire kids to see themselves as scientists, artists, creators, and makers, Kiwi Krates starts at $16.95 monthly, promising hands-on, fun, high-quality materials, kid-friendly instructions, an accompanying magazine, and online tutorials with tips and tricks.
As Atlanta’s tech star continues to rise, one local EdTech company has reached its 2 millionth student, after an unlikely beginning. The company was started by two former school teachers in 1998. Today their test prep resources are used in over 75% of Georgia’s high schools.
Unlike most test prep tools, USATestprep doesn’t just help with national tests like the ACT and SAT but offers practice aligned to state-specific tests. In Georgia, this means test prep resources for the GA Milestones.
Cobb County middle school teacher, Kelsey Benson, says she and her students enjoy using the platform’s projector games to practice the Georgia standards. A local student, Alyssa, says: “USATestprep is a really good study site. I use it before all of my tests, and I always get As. USATestprep really has helped me for all tests…”
Founder Jay Eckard sees agile companies benefiting from this sea of change by using tech to allow for even greater customization of curricula. One way USATestprep is working to stay ahead of the curve is with a new game arcade. Students earn points to redeem in the arcade by completing practice assignments from their teachers. Since the launch of the arcade last school year, USATestprep has seen an increase in students’ scores on practice work.
Fast Facts:
- This past school year, Kennesaw-based USATestprep helped over 63,000 teachers prepare their 2,000,000 students for high-stakes testing.
- Over 200,000 practice items have been developed by the company’s team of former school teachers. These include questions, instructional videos, engaging tasks, and more.
About USATestprep:
High school teachers Jay Eckard and Joe Winterscheidt started USATestprep because they saw a need to support students and teachers with new state testing requirements back in 1998. They wanted to make teachers’ lives easier and to help students pass the new state tests in order to graduate.
With the growing number of tech-savvy educators and students, expectations regarding the educational outcomes as well the process are constantly changing. Traditional ways are quickly becoming obsolete because they cannot meet the personal learning needs of modern students.
To be successful, a teacher needs to play multiple complex roles. For example, he or she needs to be an excellent analyst, instructor, and facilitator. Also, a critical requirement is an effective learning management strategy.
In the simplest form, learning management strategy is an approach utilized by a teacher to lead the educational process. Naturally, this strategy has been under the heavy influence of new technology and innovational approaches, so it’s really necessary to keep it updated.
Are you confident in your own learning management strategy? Do you think it meets the needs of your students? Let’s discuss some signs that tell that you need to change or adjust it as soon as possible.
Your planning is complex
For teachers, planning is a typical part of the educational process. Given that many factors need to be considered to outline the future direction of the process, a careful and thorough job is required here.
How difficult for you is it to plan your educational process? If you think it’s quite difficult?, think about your approach and planning tools. Do you use online learning management systems, such as Edmodo and Blackboard for that? These sophisticated tools designed specifically for educators can simplify the process by providing special planning resources.
If you still don’t use technology in your planning and paperwork is your best friend when it comes to planning educational process, it is a good sign that you need to change your strategy.
Digital communication with your students is ineffective
In modern schools that try to keep up with the latest technology in education, digital communication is one of the most important aspects. For example, by using learning management systems like the ones mentioned above, teachers collaborate with their students online (give them homework, provide feedback, arrange discussions, and assign various projects).
If you don’t take advantage of digital communication or rarely use it, you should think about improving your online collaboration with students. All you have to do is sign up for a teacher account on one of the learning management systems.
It’s difficult for you to incorporate any form of media into each class and assignment
Even if you don’t consider yourself a traditional teacher, you may find some difficulties including multimedia in your teaching. For example, some classes require videos and interactive tasks for students but your approach does not use them.
You should incorporate various types of media because they help to address specific learning needs of different students. Consider using Google to to find videos or slides for use in your classroom.
“Many of your students, for example, might be visual learners and prefer visuals to learn new information,” says Anna Cole, a senior educator from Assignment Helper. “By using a strategy that does not appreciate media, you cannot improve their educational outcomes.’
Your students are unmotivated
Do you think your class is sufficiently motivated to learn? Do you observe good engagement during the lessons? If the answer to these questions is “no,” you need to change your learning management strategy soon.
Once again, you can turn to innovative learning management systems to help. For example, Edmodo uses badges to help motivate students to increase their practice time and push their learning. These badges are designed to let them show off their accomplishments.
A recent study published in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Journal also concluded that platforms like Edmodo enable students to enjoy learning by strengthening their learning motivation and autonomy.
You don’t use cloud technology
Do you find yourself worrying about possible loss student assignments and teaching materials stored on your computer? If you do, here is why you might want to change your current learning management strategy.
There are four principal advantages of using cloud-based technologies in the classroom:
- Safe storage of information, group projects, submitted assignments, and other educational materials that make it easier to consolidate them.
- Cloud classroom. The students who cannot attend classes can access cloud-based assignments to keep up with the class.
- E-learning. The effectiveness of e-learning has already been proven. It allows you to improve students’ skills much faster and more effectively than the traditional methods.
- Mobility. Cloud-based technologies allow you to access the homework and assignments from anywhere, from any device. No more excuses for missing assignments.
Your strategy does not include personalized and blended learning
The needs of every student have to be met if you want them to have the best outcomes. If you feel like you’re taking a general approach that does not consider different learning needs, this is a good reason to consider changing it.
Your strategy does not promote change in the classroom
Have you been using the same educational materials for several years straight? What about assignments? How has your teaching approach changed over the recent years? If no significant change has been adopted by your approach, it’s a sign that you’re going in circles (while the others advance).
A change-friendly approach is critical. New knowledge and teaching methods are developed fast, so you should not be left out from the innovation process.
Some other tools to try in your new learning management strategy:
Lucy Benton is a writing coach and an editor who finds her passion in expressing her own thoughts as a blogger. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter.
No school budget for field trips? Here are 50 places in Georgia you can take your class for free. We divided these destinations into three categories: Science, Social Studies, and Other. Please let us know when your school visits one of these sites.
Science:
Albany – Radium Springs Gardens One of Georgia’s seven natural wonders, Radium Springs gushes forth 70,000 gallons of 68-degree water per minute from an underground cave.
Athens – Bear Hollow Zoo The zoo is home to a variety of non-releasable wildlife. An intimate zoo with fewer than 30 species of animals.
Athens – Georgia Museum of Natural History Explore these 14 natural history collections: Archaeology, Arthropod, Botany Herbarium, Economic Geology, Herpetology, Ichthyology, Invertebrate, Mammalogy, Mycological Herbarium, Ornithology, Paleontology, Pollen and Plant Microspore, Rocks and Minerals, and Zooarchaeology.
Athens – State Botanical Garden of Georgia This 313-acre preserve, with its specialized theme gardens and collections, more than five miles of nature trails, and four major facilities including a tropical conservatory, is visited by over 200,000 people each year.
Atlanta – CDC Museum The museum features changing exhibits throughout the year, in addition to its permanent installations. Four temporary exhibitions are on display each year.
Atlanta – Fernbank Science Center Experience the exhibit hall, observatory, and outdoor gardens. Be sure to check out the teacher resources on their website.
Augusta – Phinizy Center – Come see a variety of wildlife such as Blue Herons, Red-Shouldered Hawks, Otters, and Alligators in their natural habitat. Visitors can experience the thrill of hearing Kingfishers or delight in the many summer dragonflies in the Nature park.
Columbus – Oxbow Meadows This nature center offers a view of the ecoregion of West Georgia and the Chattahoochee Valley, while providing access to the area’s plants and animals.
Dunwoody – Dunwoody Nature Center (near Atlanta) Nature center, field trip activities, gardens, resources for teachers, conservation programs, and more.
Elberton – Elberton Granite Museum (east of Athens) Offers exciting historical exhibits, artifacts and educational displays. The three levels of self-guided exhibits allow visitors to see unique granite products, as well as antique granite working tools.
Jackson – Dauset Trails Nature Center Nature center with a variety of activities. See both farm exhibits and wildlife.
Johns Creek – Autry Mill Listen to their phone audio tour to enhance your experience, and learn about the historic features as you walk along the paths.
Lithonia – Arabia Mountain More than 2,000 acres, two monadnock mountains, three lakes, and many historic sites. Rich with plant life, Arabia Mountain hosts five endangered plants grow at Arabia Mountain.
Locust Grove – Noah’s Ark Rehabilitation This 250-acre wildlife rehab center showcases over 1,500 animals. Walk the 1-mile trail to see both exotic animals and farm animals.
Milledgeville – Natural History Museum and Planetarium A museum dedicated to Earth sciences, with an emphasis on fossils and evolution. Check out the educational resources on their website too.
Statesboro – Botanical Garden at Georgia Southern (east Savannah) See the 11 acres of gardens on this early twentieth century farmstead. Wander the trails, paths, and courtyards and explore the intriguing natural wonders of the southeastern coastal plain.
St Simons Island – Canon Point Preserve Over 600 acres managed by the Nature Conservancy. Be sure to check out the lesson plans on the website.
Social Studies:
Andersonville – Camp Sumter Prison (north-west of Cordele) The Camp Sumter military prison in Andersonville was one of the largest Confederate military prisons of the Civil War.
Atlanta – Federal Reserve Bank Discover the story of money—from barter to modern times. Learn about the history of banking in America and see examples of rare currency.
Atlanta – Georgia State Capitol Offers both guided and self-guided tours of this 120+ year old building.
Atlanta – Governor’s Mansion The tour is a hybrid of a guided and self-guided tour. Docents are stationed in each room to teach you about the items.
Atlanta – Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum The museum showcases photographs and historical memorabilia from the Carter presidency. A replica of the Oval Office and gifts received by the Carters are also on display.
Atlanta – The King Center See Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dr & Mrs King’s crypt, Dr King’s birthplace, and more.
Augusta – Augusta Canal Built in 1845 for power, water, and transportation use, it is the only industrial canal in the American South in continuous use.
Chickamauga – Chickamauga National Military Park (north of Dalton) Learn about the Civil War’s Atlanta Campaign with the 1,400 monuments and historical markers on these battlefields. Don’t miss the indoor exhibits, either.
Columbus – The Columbus Museum One of the largest museums in the southeast, it is unique for its dual concentration on American art and regional history. Offers a variety of educational programming, interactive gallery opportunities, school programs, and teacher workshops.
Columbus – National Infantry Museum Thousands of artifacts, monuments, interactive exhibits, and video presentations make the National Infantry Museum, one of the nation’s leading military history destinations.
Dalton – Prater’s Mill Heritage Park Peek into the heritage of rural, northwest Georgia. See a working 19th-century grist mill, a cotton gin, general store, wildlife, and more.
Duluth – McDaniel Farm Park This farm has been restored to depict a typical 1930s farm in Gwinnett County. See the farmhouse, barn, blacksmith shed, carriage house, and tenant house.
Kennesaw – Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield A 2,965 acre National Battlefield that preserves a key Civil War battleground of the Atlanta Campaign.
Kennesaw – Museum of History and Holocaust Education See a number of World War II exhibits, and learn about the museum’s educational programs and resources.
Macon – Museum of Aviation Twenty or more aircraft are on display in one of the nation’s most popular Air Force museums.
Macon – Ocmulgee National Monument Ocmulgee is the ancestral homeland of the Muscogee (better known as Creek) Nation, who now reside in Oklahoma. See the mounds that were constructed for the elite members of their culture.
Marietta – Marietta Fire Museum A collection of items used by the Marietta Fire Department since the 1800s, including vehicles, clothing, equipment, antiques, photos, displays, and more.
McDonough – Heritage Park Veterans Museum The museum showcases vehicles, uniforms, and artifacts, a display of the two Henry County Medal of Honor recipients, and a Henry County Fallen Hero area.
Morrow – National Archives at Atlanta Over 180,000 cubic feet of microfilm and textual records, as well as maps, photographs, and architectural drawings.
Sandy Springs – Anne Frank Exhibit Over 500 photographs and a replica of her room are used to tell the story of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who hid with her family from the Nazis.
Savannah – Savannah Belles Ferry See Savannah’s historic harbor with a free ferry ride.
St Simons Island – Fort Frederica British forces defeated the invading Spanish near here in 1742 to ensure Georgia’s future as an English colony.
Other:
Albany – Thronateeska Heritage Center Thronateeska’s campus includes a history museum, science museum, railcar display, the Georgia Museum of Surveying & Mapping, and the South Georgia Archives.
Atlanta – Atlanta Contemporary This museum’s ever-changing exhibits feature consequential artists from the local, national, and international art scenes.
Atlanta – Museum of Papermaking This internationally renowned resource on the history of paper and paper technology features a collection of over 10,000 watermarks, papers, tools, machines, and manuscripts.
Athens – Dodd Galleries The galleries’ programming and five exhibits examine the cultural and social contexts around us while challenging contemporary perceptions of art making.
Athens – Georgia Museum of Art With over 10,000 objects in the permanent collection alone, this art museum has something for everyone.
Athens – Lyndon House Arts Center Come see the generous number of unique exhibits in this art museum. Includes work from local artists.
Augusta – Westobou Gallery The gallery offers curated exhibitions by national, regional, and local artists, with a focus on emerging and mid-career contemporary and experimental artists.
Duluth – Hudgens Center for Art & Learning The Hudgens Center displays rotating exhibits with works from their private collection, as well as local artists and guest curators.
Lilburn – Mandir Temple Enjoy beauty and discovery at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – a Hindu temple that showcases exquisite Indian design and workmanship.
Rome – Oak Hill and the Martha Berry Museum Tour the Oak Hill house and see the art gallery and temporary exhibitions in the museum.
Savannah – Cathedral of St John the Baptist This 19th-century Catholic cathedral is said to be one of the top 10 historic sites to visit in the United States.
Disclaimer: Inclusion in this list is not an endorsement or intended to be representative of USATestprep or the author’s views.
- If you allowed multiple attempts for an assignment, the highest
score will display automatically in your gradebook — there is no filtering required. If you allowed students to retry missed items, then click the “Show Grades” link and change the grades filter from Original to Retest. - Assignments taking a long time to load? The Assignments tab just got a lot quicker! With more user-friendly filters and sorting capabilities, it is easier to find the assignments you want. The
Assignments tab updates results every 15 minutes. If you need results sooner, click on the refresh arrows at the top of the Completed column. - The class Progress Report now includes all types of activities, including performance tasks, vocabulary practice, puzzles, and videos. All options are checked by default, so use the gear icon in the top right corner to customize what data you want to see for each standard, as well as to set a specific date range.
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