Science reveals the secrets of our world.
When teachers and school children think of science education, they think of the Witte Museum.
The Witte addresses all the sciences: hydrology, archaeology, paleontology, meteorology, technology, biology, and more. From the moment visitors walk in the doors to be confronted by giant dinosaur skeletons to their extended stay in the H-E-B Science Treehouse, they are learning about the World of Science.
This is one of the reasons the Witte is a favorite field trip for elementary school groups. Nearly 90,000 school children from all over South Texas visit the museum annually for hands-on experiences and the Witte’s renowned curriculum. Even while the students are enjoying weekend breaks, their teachers take advantage of professional training at the Witte, in subjects like South Texas heritage, water, wildlife, energy, and ecology. Special programs for students examine animal life, the states of matter, natural habitats, dinosaurs, ecosystems, physical science, weather, ancient Texan technology and many other timely topics.
As one of the three initiatives, science will remain a central theme in the grand, expanded Witte Museum. Enormous Texas dinosaurs will greet visitors as they enter the expansive, world-class entryway. With its 40-foot wingspan, the Quetzalcoatlus Northropi is sure to stir up excitement as it hovers over visitors in the grand entryway. This pterosaur is the largest flying creature ever discovered … and it was found in Texas! Other Texas dinosaurs, such as the Alamosaurus, a T-Rex-like carnivore, will join the Quetz in the Witte’s expanded Dinosaur Gallery.
Another favorite Witte gallery, Texas Wild, will get its first new home in almost 70 years. These treasured displays of native Texas animals, many in dioramas resembling their natural habitats, may be the only place that school children and tourists will ever see a black bear, a cougar, or a javelina.
Revitalization and expansion of the Dinosaur and Texas Wild galleries, coupled with the H-E-B Science Treehouse, and science programming and curriculum, will allow the Witte to continue its mission of service to the students of South Texas, while telling the story of South Texas to all visitors on yet another level.
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