Words by Mallory Lehenbauer
As museums, zoos, and libraries across the state and country close, there are still ways to support them by enjoying the benefits of learning online. Texas museums have opened online by publishing their collections. Libraries are hosting readings, and even NASA has joined the line-up in the virtual learning opportunities.
Learning Locally in Austin
Blanton Museum of Art Online Collections
Founded in 1963, Blanton Museum of Art holds the largest public collection in Central Texas with around 19,000 objects. Recognized as the home of Ellsworth Kelly’s “Austin,” its major collecting areas are modern and contemporary American and Latin American art, Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings, and prints and drawings. View their collections online. collection.
blantonmuseum.org
The Austin Library
Virtual Austin Library is open. Read, listen, and watch on the computer or mobile device 24/7 when you download or stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, movies, and music. Visit library.austintexas.gov/virtual to get started.
Storytime Everywhere
Storytime Everywhere ATX is hosting live Instagram readings of books for all ages from preschoolers to book reviews for adults. Check their Instagram @storytimeeverywhereatx for a schedule and the next book.
Austin Bat Cave
Austin Bat Cave’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) is offering digital content, resources, and lessons from ABC volunteers for families learning and writing at home. Their writing program hopes to empower students to find their voices and tell their stories with a weekly newsletter offering writing prompts/activities, lessons, videos, and features of student writing from the Austin Bat Cave anthology. Join the newsletter at austinbatcave.substack.com.
austinbatcave.org
Nationwide Places to Learn Online
The Cincinnati Zoo
This zoo is bringing the zoo home with virtual tours. The Home Safaris start every day at 2 p.m. CST. Watch the Home Safaris live on Facebook. Don’t fret if you miss the tour though; there is always something going on. Log on at any time to watch the animals in their habitats.
cincinnatizoo.org
Open Library
The Internet Archive’s Open Library is offering free access to 1.4 million books with no waitlists. Visit openlibrary.org to find a favorite (or two or three)!
Harry Potter at Home
With the help of J.K. Rowling, Audible, Bloomsbury, OverDrive, Pottermore Publishing, and Scholastic, Harry Potter At Home helps children add a touch of Harry Potter magic to the new daily life. Find the latest magical treats for all ages: nifty magical craft videos (like, how to draw a Niffler!), fun articles, quizzes, puzzles, and plenty more for first-time readers, as well as those already familiar with the wizarding world. They’re casting a Banishing Charm on boredom.
wizardingworld.com/collections/harry-potter-at-home
The Hidden World of National Parks
Follow rangers on a journey to places most people never go with The Hidden World of National Parks on Google Arts & Culture. Use the virtual map to select specific parks, and get in-depth stories and insights from the experts on virtual tours. See panoramic views of famous sites within 360˚ Street View tours. Explore 3,844 items including images, artifacts, and more in high resolution. Finally, find the bigger picture with the diverse collections, sites, and stories from cultural organizations.
artsandculture.google.com/
NASA Home STEM
Students from kindergarten to eighth grade can explore outer space with NASA Home STEM. Launch rockets, build a hovercraft, create a winning science fair project, and more in this virtual online classroom. These science, technology, engineering, and math activities are fun for kids, adults, and the whole family.
nasa.gov/stem-at-home-for-students-k-4.html
Lunch Doodle with Mo Willems
With the Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence at Home, Mo Willems, artists of all ages are joining him in his studio for weekday Lunch Doodles. This three-week course includes 15 episodes and their downloadable activities. With millions of learners attempting to grow and educate themselves in new circumstances, Mo decided to invite everyone into his studio once a day for the next few weeks. Bring your own paper, pencils, pens, or crayons and doodle together while exploring the ways of creating.
kennedy-center.org/mowillems
Marine Biology Camp
This team of scientists is on mission is to protect marine wildlife. Virtual Marine Biology Camp is streaming live on Instagram and Facebook every Monday and Thursday at 1 pm CST. Oceans Initiative, based in Seattle, is hosting each session to talk about the purpose and importance of preserving marine life. Tune into their live stream @oceansinitiative. oceansinitiative.org
Scholastic Books
Scholastic is offering day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing with Scholastic Learn at Home. Visit classroommagazines.scholastic.com to find activities for every grade level.
Texas Museum Tours
The National Museum of the Pacific War (NMPW)
Join The National Museum of the Pacific War (NMPW) each week as they share digital content to help educate the youth about WWII. With their two new programs, Nimitz Minitz and Highlights and Insights of the Pacific War, viewers can learn about particular points and artifacts of WWII. The museum will also be highlighting a WWII veteran weekly on its blog and social media.
pacificwarmuseum.org
Dinaledi Chamber via Virtual Reality with the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas
Experience the South African cave where a team led by internationally acclaimed paleoanthropologist professor Lee Berger discovered Homo naledi, a new species of ancient human relative. #DinalediVR brings the Virtual Reality Dinaledi Experience beyond the walls of the Perot Museum and features six scientists describing the cave in their native languages. Download the app here.
perotmuseum.org
Modern Art Museum of Forth Worth
This museum is dedicated to collecting, presenting, and interpreting international developments in post–World War II art in all media and creating a welcoming environment for its public appreciation. The Modern promotes understanding and interest in art and artists through curatorial research and publications, and a variety of educational programs, including lectures, guided tours, classes, and workshops. See their collections online here.
themodern.org
The Menil Collection, Houston
The #MFAHatHOME is a virtual museum experience that shares The Menil Collection with audiences around the world. Tune in via social media and email to access the MFAH collections and selected exhibitions, films, art-making activities, recorded lectures, artist’s talks, and more. All available here.
mfah.org
**If possible, we encourage virtual guests to make donations to help support these wonderful places who are still serving the public by providing a space to learn during these unprecedented times.
