Virtual Outreach

With our virtual outreach programs, you can bring the excitement of HMNS into your home, classroom, library or really… anywhere! With two different virtual formats to choose from, we’ve got the options you need for any topic or audience. 

Looking for in-person programs? Check out our Outreach Program Page for more information on the programming we can bring out to you!

How to Book

After reviewing the information below, email us at reservations@hmns.org to book your program. If you have any questions on which program would be best for your group, we’d be happy to provide recommendations! 

Please provide:

• Your name
• Your organization (if applicable)
• Phone number
• Preferred access or presentation date
• Preferred topic(s)

Virtual Program Formats

Choose between pre-recorded and live, virtual presentations depending on your program’s and audience’s needs. 

Pre-Recorded Presentations

Pre-recorded presentations feature our dynamic museum educators or master docents along with museum specimens or live animals to bring some of our favorite scientific and cultural concepts to life. Your group or class will have 24 hours of access to the content, so they can watch the presentation as many times as they would like. Scroll down for a list of the topics that are available as pre-recorded presentations.

Pre-Recorded Presentation Add-Ons

Want to know more after watching your pre-recorded virtual outreach presentation? Schedule some time with one of our educators or curators to ask your most-pressing science questions!

Q&A with an Educator*

Select a date and time for your educator Q&A, and we’ll send you a Zoom link to share with your audience. At the selected date and time, your audience can sign on to meet with our educator and learn more about your selected outreach presentation topic. Q&A sessions are limited to 98 participants on a first come, first served basis.

Q&A with a Curator*

Select a date and time for your curator Q&A, and we’ll send you a Zoom link to share with your audience. At the selected date and time, your audience can sign on to meet with one of our museum curators to learn more about your selected outreach presentation topic. Q&A sessions are limited to 98 participants on a first come, first served basis.

*Educator and curator Q&A sessions are subject to availability. While we are happy to take requests for educators and curators that cover specific content areas, we cannot guarantee a specific educator or curator.

Live, Virtual Presentations

Choose from our Outreach Program topics and get a live, virtual presentation by one of our experienced educators. Presentations are presented via Zoom and last an hour, including time for questions at the end!* Presenters will use museum specimens, artifacts, or live animals to enhance their presentation on topics like paleontology, astronomy, insects, and more! Click on the programs below for more information on the topics you can choose from, including a virtual Discovery Dome.

Earth Science on Wheels

Bugs on Wheels

Wildlife on Wheels

ConocoPhillips Science on Stage

Science Start 

Discovery Dome

*If you are unable to use Zoom, please let us know at the time of booking so we can find an alternate platform.

Pricing

PRE-RECORDED PRESENTATIONS 

As an introductory offer for our virtual programming, you and your audience get 24 hours of access to the topic of your choosing for only $150. Once you book with us and select your access date, you’ll receive a password-protected link you can share with your audience. You’ll also receive the password that will be active on the date of your program. Your audience will be able to log on using the designated password to watch the presentation at any time that fits their schedule on the date of your program.

Virtual outreach programs are available from 8 a.m. on the date of your choosing until 8 a.m. the following day. During that time, your audience can watch the video at any time and as many times as they would like.

PRE-RECORDED PRESENTATION ADD-ONS

Q&A with an Educator

$50 for 30 minutes

Q&A with a Curator 

$100 for 30 minutes

LIVE, VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS

Our live, virtual presentations are $275 per presentation. Presentations last approximately one hour, including both presentation time as well as time for Q&A at the end. Once you book with us and select your program date, you’ll receive a Zoom link you can share with your audience. You can join the presentation together or everyone can join us from home.

Packages

Book three or more virtual outreach programs, and get $25 off each one! You can select a single day to view all your programs, or you can select a different day for each one. Ask about our package deal when you book your programs.

Pre-Recorded Presentation Topics

The following topics are available as pre-recorded virtual outreach programs. While based on our in-person outreach programs, the content of these presentations has been adapted to work best in a virtual format. These programs are great for audiences of all ages and interests. If you would like recommendations on which topic would be best for your audience, we’re happy to provide suggestions.

Earth Science on Wheels: Dinosaur Discovery

This popular program explores some of the most famous prehistoric animals and teaches you about a few fossils you may not have heard of. Combined with footage from our very own Morian Hall of Paleontology, this presentation looks at what a dinosaur is, how they ate, how they hunted, and how we learn about these extinct animals. This program is available for two different age groups, so you can let us know if you’d like the presentation geared towards younger learners, Kindergarten and below, or one that’s geared for a more general audience.

Wildlife on Wheels: Vertebrates

Explore the wonderful and diverse world of animals with backbones, as you learn more about the five major vertebrate groups! This presentation features some of the animals from our live animal collection and investigates fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, covering anatomy, habitats, adaptations, and more. It’s the perfect way to learn about the five major vertebrate groups and their distinguishing characteristics in a memorable way!

Bugs on Wheels: Amazing Arthropods

Discover insects and learn about the anatomy of an arthropod with this presentation featuring live arthropods from our Cockrell Butterfly Center. Audiences will learn about their native habitats and unique adaptations for survival while by examining these different arthropods up close.  This program is available for two different age groups, so you can let us know if you’d like the presentation geared towards younger learners, Kindergarten and below, or one that’s geared for a more general audience.

ConocoPhillips Science on Stage: Chemistry & Density

Explore chemistry through demonstrations of combustion, color changes, polymers, and density. This dynamic presentation takes an in-depth look at chemical changes and lets audiences observe different types of reactions and the byproducts created. Discover the fascinating ways we use chemistry in our daily lives as we show you how fireworks get their color and why diapers are so absorbent. Finally, watch as we create a layered density column to find out why oil and other household liquids float on water.

Docents to Go: Ancient Egypt

From mummies to the pyramids, experience the amazing architectural and cultural aspects of Ancient Egypt with one of our master docents.

Docents to Go: Texas Wildlife

Learn about the amazingly varied creatures with which we share our state and their unique adaptations for surviving in diverse Texas ecosystems.

Docents to Go: Myths & Legends

Explore the cultural origins of myths and legends by investigating museum specimens and the stories behind them. Understand the power of storytelling in passing down a culture’s history and traditions.

Add-Ons

Want to know more after watching your virtual outreach presentation? Schedule some time with one of our educators or curators to ask your most-pressing science questions!

Q&A with an Educator*

Select a date and time for your educator Q&A, and we’ll send you a Zoom link to share with your audience. At the selected date and time, your audience can sign on to meet with our educator and learn more about your selected outreach presentation topic. Q&A sessions are limited to 98 participants on a first come, first served basis.

$50 for 30 minutes

Q&A with a Curator*

Select a date and time for your curator Q&A, and we’ll send you a Zoom link to share with your audience. At the selected date and time, your audience can sign on to meet with one of our museum curators to learn more about your selected outreach presentation topic. Q&A sessions are limited to 98 participants on a first come, first served basis.

$100 for 30 minutes

*Educator and curator Q&A sessions are subject to availability. While we are happy to take requests for educators and curators that cover specific content areas, we cannot guarantee a specific educator or curator.