AUSTIN, TexasÑThe University of Texas at Austin campus will be open to the public March 1 during ÒExplore UT,Ó a free, day-long event featuring hands-on activities, demonstrations, performances, exhibitions and lectures.that has come to be known as ÒThe Biggest Open House in Texas.Ó
Children and adults of all ages will find exciting and fun activities at the event that begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. with visitors, students and volunteers gathering on the South Plaza to form a large Texas star for a picture taken by photographers high above the Main Building. Curious visitors can learn about laser beams, fossils and robotic golf. They will hear experts talk about vampires, dinosaurs and ancient civilizations. They will enter an atmosphere where an abundance of knowledge is waiting to be sampled.
ÒWe invite adults and children to experience the many wonders of this university,Ó said Larry R. Faulkner, president of The University of Texas at Austin. ÒLearn first hand from leading world scholars and explore new frontiers of knowledge. Make yourself at home. Have fun. This is your university.Ó
George H. Mitchell, president of the University Co-op, the major sponsor for Explore UT, said ÒWe are once again proud to sponsor this remarkable event. This university has so much to offer and, on this day, it opens its doors to young and old alike to explore a wide range of activities. ItÕs quite a showcase.Ó
The University Co-op is cooperatively owned by the faculty, students and staff of The University of Texas at Austin. Earnings go toward supporting campus events, grants and activities.
Visitors attending Explore UT will discover more than 300 on-campus activities. Participants are invited to:
- Take a swing at robotic golf
- Sink their teeth into vampire lore
- Learn to communicate with sign language
- Catch some rays in the solar house
- Make an impression with steamroller art
- Join prime time and anchor the news
- Scale an indoor climbing wall
- Sharpen their surgical skills
Visitors attending Explore UT can pick up free ÒpassportsÓ on campus to document their day of high adventure. Colorful stamps will be provided at each venue and explorers with four or more stamps can claim a free T-shirt at the University Co-op Bookstore(Guadalupe Street location), while supplies last.
Explore UT is held in conjunction with Austin Science Fun Day (ASFD), which is held annually at The University of Texas at AustinÕs Texas Memorial Museum. Itshowcases projects prepared by local companies and science-based organizationsin partnership with school classes. ASFD sponsors this year are AMD,National Instruments, Tokyo Electron and KXAN-TV.
The ÒstarÓ photograph is the grand finale of Explore UT. Participants will convene at 5 p.m. at the Tower for the traditional Explore UT class photograph. A giant Lone Star formed by Explore UT participants standing side-by-side will be taken by Marsha Miller, photography supervisor in the Office of Public Affairs. Prints will be available for purchase as a one-of-a-kind memento.
This year marks the fourth Explore UT celebration. Explore UT events will take place, rain or shine, on campus and in classrooms at The University of Texas at Austin. ExploreUT visitors have numbered more than 30,000 annually. High-resolution images are available todownload.
For more information contact: Ashley Hawkins, Christian-Hubble Media & Communications, or Robert D. Meckel, Office of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin, 512-475-7847.
