School Tours

Dear Teacher:

We are pleased that you have scheduled a visit to the University's Centennial Museum and look forward to welcoming you. Since field trips produce considerable excitement, we wish to share some information and requests prior to your arrival, and we thank you for your cooperation in making this a relevant learning experience for your class.

• The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm, except on University holidays. An elevator is located at the side entrance off University Avenue for guests with special needs.
• Buses should deliver and collect passengers near the front of the museum, but park during the visit in the lot designated by a gate attendant. If you have scheduled your visit through another department at the university, please follow the instructions for meeting your guides and bus accommodations sent to you by that department.
• Leech Grove, a small, pleasant park located across Wiggins Road from the Museum, must be reserved for picnics by writing to the Dean of Students, UTEP, El Paso, TX 79968. That office requires 7 working days prior notification to reserve Leech Grove. Be sure to include your telephone number so that the Dean's office can reach you, if your request cannot be accommodated.
• Prior to your visit, please discuss the advantages of museum visits: (a) the opportunity to view primary sources, and (b) the ability to self-direct learning. Pre- and post-visit activities increase the impact of a museum visit. The inquiry method is particularly effective to link museum exhibits with what students already know.
• Please discuss the importance of courteous behavior prior to the visit. Discussions about why we ask people not to yell, run, or step into our native-plant beds would be helpful in preparing students. Adequate supervision of your group is required at all times.
• A world-wide web site for the Centennial Museum can be accessed on the internet at http://museum.utep.edu/. This site contains materials and links which can be used to help you introduce our natural and cultural history museum to your students.
• The museum gift shop, La Tienda, may be visited provided adequate museum volunteers are available. We request, however, that an adult supervise youngsters in groups of 10 or less.
• Please encourage your class members to return with their families and friends. Museum visits promote leisure-time learning and raise the quality of life.

Last updated 25 Nov 2004

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