Welcome
to the Connect2Texas web site!
The purpose of this site is to promote programs offered by
interactive videoconferencing providers in the State of Texas. We currently have 15 providers offering interactive content enhancement programs.
To find out how you can be a content provider and get your programs posted on this site, contact Laurie Hogle at (817)740-3625.
TEACHERS: Not sure what to expect with a content enhancement program? Click here to see a sample program from Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, or click here for a brief overview of Connect2Texas (these files will play in Windows MediaPlayer). |
Sign up for our Listserv!
Click here to join the Connect2Texas listserv and receive periodic emails about new programs/providers, upcoming programs, free programs, special guest speakers and more.
Follow Connect2Texas on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/connect2texas
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*ANNOUNCEMENTS*
Connect2Texas' Newest Providers!!
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The Old Jail Art Center
The Old Jail Art Center's education programs seek to open minds, broaden perspectives, and enlighten audiences by fostering and encouraging expression of the individual's innate creativity. A variety of programs enable students of all ages and backgrounds to make connections with art through gallery talks, lectures, demonstrations, art classes, or by encouraging further engagement with art in study or discussion.
www.theoldjailartcenter.org |
Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is located on the sixth and seventh floors of an early 20th-century warehouse known in 1963 as the Texas School Book Depository. Opened on Presidents Day 1989, the Museum has since welcomed more than 6 million visitors from around the world—people of all ages seeking information and understanding about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
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For program request during the summer please contact the provider directly by clicking on the "Contact Us" button at the top.
Fall programs will be posted in mid-August.
Free "In the News" programs from Connect2Texas providers will return next school year starting Sept. 10th so mark your calendars.
Click here to see a full list of dates. |
"In the News" events are FREE!
Most sites will be "view only!"
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*Connect2Texas Providers*
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The Amon Carter Museum offers interactive distance learning sessions to schools throughout the United States. The lessons are exciting and engaging real-time interactions between schools and the museum's educators using inquiry-based teaching methods focusing on the museum's strong collection of American art. Each lesson corresponds with Texas and national standards. Students are asked to observe, analyze, and verbally express their ideas about images presented. In addition to a main camera, a special "document camera" allows for close inspection of individual objects. Used in the classroom, program content enhances the curriculum and provides an introduction to the museum experience. Pre- and post-broadcast classroom activities accompany each program. |
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The mission of the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall is to serve as a permanent home to major performing arts organizations of Fort Worth and as a premiere venue for other attractions so as to enhance the range, quality, and accessibility of cultural fare available to the public; to promulgate arts education; and to contribute to the cultural life of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and the region. |
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Invite the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) into your classroom! Our education staff is dedicated to empowering students and teachers with the understanding and appreciation of plants and their important role in our natural world. Our LIVE programs will augment your science and social studies curriculum by allowing your students to get face to face and interact with our herbarium and staff, botanists, librarian and the library’s resources, and the scientists and support staff of the Andes to Amazon Biodiversity Project in Peru. K-12 students will benefit from programming carefully created to be fun, factual, grade level sensitive, and to meet the TEKS and national standards. Pre and post activities are provided to enhance the broadcast and to promote student involvement. Emphasis is placed on hands-on activities, games, investigations and real world experiences. Join us as we plant seeds of knowledge in young minds!
BRIT is a non-profit organization built around a treasured herbarium with over 1 million dried plant specimens and a prestigious botanical library containing more than 100,000 volumes. Institutional programs utilizing these two treasures include extensive research projects, a publishing house, and an education program.
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Cook Children's Medical Center has provided medical and surgical care to the children of north and west Texas for almost 90 years. Today, Cook Children's Health Care System provides more than 30 pediatric specialties and services, plus nationally-recognized services for newborns, and for children with cancer, heart problems and lung ailments. Through an integrated system, Cook Children's provides quality health care to children and is dedicated to assisting families who experience stress due to childhood illness and injury. Cook Children's videoconferencing services include helping to prepare classmates for a patient's return to school, organizing virtual visits with friends and family (especially for patients experiencing extended hospital stays), and providing a variety of videoconference programs to help educate students and educators about many health-related issues. |
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Let the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History come to you! Now you and your students can connect and interact LIVE with the Museum’s team of experts without leaving your campus! Utilizing interactive distance learning in the classroom, your students can explore science and history with Museum curators, staff and special guests. These 50-minute sessions correlate with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and are in partnership with the ESC Region XI Telecommunications Network. |
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"To enhance the quality of life by enrolling and educating our community in the preservation and protection of natural areas while standing as an example of these same principles and values in North Central Texas." Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge mission statement is the guiding principle that drives all facets of this 3,600 acre nature center and wildlife refuge. From our educational and recreational program offerings, to the location and routes of trails, to our choice of habitat restoration methods, we strive to introduce everyone to the natural history of the region. |
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The Grace Museum is pleased to offer four (4) Distance Learning virtual field trips to schools across the nation and throughout the world!
Distance Learning at The Grace Museum involves launching a real-time, interactive experience for teachers and students of all ages. Teachers who register for the tour will be able to download a resource packet full of pre- and post- activities for their class. The programs are TEKS and TAKS aligned, and are based on national teaching standards as well. |
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*New provider starting Aug. 2010*
John R. Erickson is best known as the author of the Hank the Cowdog series of books and audios. Hank started out as a self-publishing venture in Perryton, TX, grew to a national audience, and has now sold over seven million books and audio recordings. Mr. Erickson recorded the first book on audio doing all of the voices himself, and songs have always been a big part of the Hank stories, too. Mr. Erickson has used his voice and musical talents to bring his characters and books to life for audiences for the last twenty-five years. John Erickson’s live program is made up of readings from the Hank the Cowdog books and performing songs from the stories. |
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"Live...From McDonald Observatory!" is an interactive science learning experience that takes you and your students on a virtual field trip to the
University of Texas McDonald Observatory, in the remote Davis Mountains of West Texas.
The TEKS- and TAKS-aligned content of the video conference program includes a virtual tour of McDonald Observatory and a lesson on the sun, including (weather permitting) live views of the sun with special telescopes and unique science demonstrations. Videoconferences are available for grades 3-5, 6-8, or 9-12 (recommended for IPC, Physics, or Astronomy classes).
Videoconferences are 50-minute, two-way connections between one class (or student club) of up to 35 students and McDonald Observatory. Additional view-only connections are available for an additional fee. Participating teachers receive an online pre-conference package, an introductory DVD, timeline, TEKS/TAKS linkages, suggestions for student behavior, suggestions for pre- and post-conference activities, and conference study guides. Teachers will be asked to complete an evaluation form following the videoconference.
The University of Texas McDonald Observatory is a world-class astronomical research facility established in 1932, and is the destination for thousands of astronomers, educators, students, families, and science enthusiasts.
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Through interactive distance learning, Texas Christian University’s Monnig Meteorite Gallery will provide you and your students with the opportunity to explore the mysteries of meteorites. Meteorites are the oldest materials known – even older than our 4.5 billion year old Earth! The Monnig Meteorite Gallery is a high-tech, state-of-the-art museum that houses one of the nation’s largest collections of meteorites. In fact, as of May 2003, the Monnig meteorite collection was the 13th largest in the world and the 2nd largest among American universities. Meteorites of all types are on display in the gallery, including specimens from the Moon and Mars. The gallery features audio presentations at each exhibit, a mini-theater featuring an educational film on the formation of the solar system, and an interactive computer exhibit where visitors can build their own virtual meteorite and watch it travel through space to Earth’s surface. Through our 50-minute videoconferencing sessions, you can experience a virtual tour of the gallery, learn how to identify meteorites, obtain an introduction to many aspects of meteorite and space science, and interact live with museum educators and TCU professors. All videoconferencing sessions are aligned with national and state science standards. |
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The National Archives at Fort Worth is a center for historical and genealogical research, we have both an Archival and Microfilm Research Room for researchers. Our historical records date from the 1800s to the late 1900s, and include letters, photographs, maps, architectural drawings, and other documents received from over 100 Federal agencies and courts in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
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The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring women of the American West who have displayed extraordinary courage and pioneer spirit in their trail blazing efforts. Since it was established in 1975, the Museum has become an invaluable educational resource nationally known for its exhibits, research library, rare photography collection, and the honorees in its Hall of Fame. |
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Experience the museum virtually!
The Old Jail Art Center is pleased to offer classes via distance learning.
Students can go on a guided virtual tour of the museum, create art projects with a museum educator, or participate in an Art to Go class tailored to suit the classroom curriculum. The museum provides all of the necessary supplies and materials. All materials will be shipped in advance via FedEx. Some materials may have to be returned after the class. Fees vary per class.
Reservations: Please schedule distance learning classes at least two weeks in advance. Classes are limited to 30 students, without additional fees, and one school connection so that the students have the instructor’s full attention. |
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*New provider starting Aug. 2010*
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum
More information coming soon! |
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Experience the sense of time and place embodied in the extraordinary paintings by Frederic Remington, Charles Russell and other late 19th century artists who shaped our perception of the American West. In real-time interactions, education staff will promote exploration and discovery of these powerful images. Through inquiry-based teaching methods, students will be encouraged to use their observations to interpret past events and to investigate ideas the artworks evoke. These interdisciplinary sessions can be designed to complement your curriculum and support state/national standards.
The Sid Richardson Museum houses one of the finest and most focused collections of western art. The works, reflecting both the art and reality of the American West, are the legacy of the late oilman and philanthropist, Sid W. Richardson. |
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The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza interprets the life, death and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. Now, through interactive, inquiry-based distance learning programs, you and your students can experience history through careful examination of the photographs, films and artifacts in the Museum's collection of 35,000 items. These programs also connect students with "living history" speakers: eyewitnesses, law enforcement officials, journalists, physicians and others with direct memories of the Kennedy assassination. A selection of engaging programs provide opportunities for students to meet the Museum's curatorial, collections and education staff, prompting thoughtful discussions on U.S. history, world history, the Civil Rights Movement, oral history and the role of the historian! All programs are TEKS and TAKS aligned, and meet national history standards.
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Texas Wildlife Association (TWA)
“Working For Tomorrow’s Wildlife Today!”
Plug in to the possibilities with TWA’s Critter Connections Distance Learning Programs!
Critter Connections offers students the chance to learn more about native Texas wildlife while enhancing general science concepts through interactive discussions and activities! Programs focus on unique animal traits and adaptations, predator-prey relationships, and general wildlife ecology. Pre and Post-program companion lesson plans, activities, or discovery trunks are available.
The Texas Wildlife Association is a state-wide membership-driven organization that offers a variety of educational programs geared toward making Texas more tangible for students. TWA is absolutely dedicated to educating Texas youth about the conservation, management and enhancement of wildlife and wildlife habitat on private land to ensure the conservation of our cherished natural resources and outdoor heritage for future generations.
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Bring the museum into your classroom with the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum's exciting new distance learning program. Your class will explore history in exciting new ways through a variety of real time interactive programs led by our education staff. Each program is designed with pre and post "visit" activities for students, a variety of teacher resources, and clear connections to the social studies TEKS. |
www.hsc.unt.edu |
The University of North Texas Health Science Center is Fort Worth's Medical School and More! We are dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for the people of Texas. Your class can explore the exciting worlds of medicine, health, and life science, talk to researchers about their work and meet health care professionals. We can also offer students an opportunity to find out the many careers that biomedical science has to offer. |
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Education Service Center Region XI is located in Fort Worth, Texas…sometimes referred to as "Where the West Begins." The Education Service Center Region XI (ESC Region XI) produces and delivers videoconferencing programs using their innovative two-way interactive satellite based systems. Programs are delivered from remote areas including dinosaur excavation sites, nature centers, and wildlife refuges. Join us in our adventures … where the west begins and the learning never ends! |
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