The Texas Connection
The McDonald Observatory and the Texas Regional
Collaboratives for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching
May 13-15, 2008
Links for this Workshop
General Information
General Site Links
General Information: The Texas Connection
The McDonald Observatory and the Texas Regional
Collaboratives for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching
Location:
The University of Texas McDonald Observatory is located 6,800 feet elevation atop Mt. Locke and Mt. Fowlkes in the heart of the Davis Mountains of West Texas. The observatory web site is: http://mcdonaldobservatory.org
Although every person reacts differently to high altitude environments, you might experience shortness of breath as a result of our modestly high altitude; therefore, please take your time and avoid strenuous physical exertion. Due to the high altitude and dry climate we suggest that you drink plenty of water while at the observatory.
Transportation:
Workshop participants are responsible for making her/his own travel arrangements to and from McDonald Observatory.
Driving: If you are traveling east on Interstate10 from El Paso take Highway 118 south at Kent for the 39-mile scenic drive to the observatory. Remember that the Observatory is on Central Time (El Paso is on Mountain Time - one hour behind the Observatory). If you are traveling west on Interstate 10, take Highway 17 south at Balmorhea to Fort Davis, then Highway 118 north 14 miles to Mt. Locke. If you're coming from the Big Bend National Park, take Highway 118 north through Alpine and Fort Davis to the Observatory. If you are traveling west on Interstate 20 take Highway 17 south at Pecos to Balmorhea (following I-10 for 1 mile) and Fort Davis, then Highway 118 north 16 miles to Mt. Locke.
Flying: The closest airports are in Midland and El Paso unless you have access to a private airplane, which would then land in Marfa or Alpine. From either Midland or El Paso you need to rent a car. The drive to the Observatory is approximately 3.5-hours either from Midland or El Paso if you take it casually. Remember that the Observatory is on Central Time (El Paso is on Mountain Time - one hour behind the Observatory).
Lodging:
You will be staying at the picturesque Indian Lodge, located in the mile-high slopes of the Davis Mountains State Park. When driving to McDonald Observatory from the Indian Lodge, take the scenic 13-mile trip along Hwy 118 North. You should plan to leave no less than 30 minutes before our scheduled start time each morning, but give yourself more time to enjoy the stunning views of the Davis Mountains. Please drive safely while on mountain roads, particularly at night. There are blind corners and steep roads that make runners, bicyclists, and animals difficult to see.
Double occupancy rooms have been reserved and roommates have been pre-assigned. Each room has two double beds, a telephone, and cable TV. The Indian Lodge has an ice machine and a coke machine. Items available for “check-out” include an iron, ironing board, and 2 hair dryers. Workshop fees include your room and meals, however they do not include any other incurred expenses such as telephone. Local calls from the Indian Lodge are free; however, long distance calls can be made with a credit card or calling card. In addition, voicemail can be activated on the telephone in your room. Cell phones receive strong signal strength in Fort Davis; however, they will not work at the Indian Lodge or McDonald Observatory Visitors Center.
Check-in procedure at the Indian Lodge:
Please do not attempt to check in at the Indian Lodge before our workshop begins. Workshop participants will be given check-in cards and room keys when our workshop begins in the Visitors Center classroom. Special arrangements have been made for McDonald Observatory staff to complete the check-in process on the first day of our workshop.
Your workshop day/night:
Our workshop begins at 3:00 P.M. in the Visitors Center classroom. Please sign-in at the Visitors Center front desk and ask for directions to the classroom.
Please review your workshop agenda. We want to immerse you in this unique science environment, but doing so makes it impossible to provide time to return to the Indian Lodge until the end of the evening observing sessions. On the first and second days, leave the Indian Lodge no less than 30 minutes before our scheduled start time, and plan to return to the Indian Lodge at 11:50 P.M. - midnight (consider car-pooling). Therefore, it is important to bring a “day bag” with you each day. Remember to include your jacket, flashlight (don't forget the extra batteries), medications, camera, etc, when you leave for the Observatory. Please refer to the Suggested Packing List for recommended items to bring each day.
If you arrive early on the first day, explore the Visitors Center, which opens each day at 10:00 A.M. Workshop participants receive free admission during the workshop period. The Astronomy Gift Shop, the StarDate Café, the “Understanding the Universe” orientation film, and the Decoding Starlight Exhibit Hall are all available to you while you wait. We have written a “Student Exhibit Guide” worksheet for K-3(A), 4-8(B), and 9-12(C). Simply tell the Information Desk attendant which version you would like, it is intended to focus and enrich the exhibit hall experience. We have also written teacher versions for each "student exhibit guide".
Check-out:
Plan to checkout of the Indian Lodge no later than 10 A.M. on the final day. On the final day, our workshop resumes at 10:30 A.M. and ends at 1:00 P.M.
Tips to Enjoy Your Workshop
Bring a “day pack” with you each day. Remember to include your jacket, flashlight (don't forget the extra batteries), medications, camera, notebook, etc. before you depart Indian Lodge for the Observatory. Your laptop computer will be safe at the Observatory's Astronomers' Lodge. Please refer to the Suggested Packing list for recommended items to bring each day.
The Visitors Center has a small staff refrigerator, and basic first aid cabinet, in an office next to the classroom. Since others share the refrigerator, it is important to limit its use by storing only what is necessary for a single day, such as important medications. You may purchaase soft drinks, water, coffee, and snacks at the StarDate Café in the Visitors Center.
Meals:
To minimize your driving, we have made arrangements for you to eat breakfast at the Black Bear restaurant located within the Indian Lodge facility. Each morning coffee is available in the Indian Lodge main office from 5:00-7:00 A.M. Breakfast is served in the restaurant beginning at 7:00 A.M. There are a variety of breakfast menu items including eggs, pancakes, hashbrowns, biscuits/gravy, toast, dry cereal, bagels, juice, milk and coffee, all priced reasonably. Simply present your meal ticket to the wait staff (maximum value $6.00).
Mid-day you will be treated to lunch at the StarDate Café, located within the Visitors Center. The StarDate Café will provide a menu from which you will choose a variety of excellent meals.
For dinner, you will attend a buffet-style dinner meal at the Astronomers Lodge (AL) dining facility. The Astronomers Lodge has a chef who plans well-balanced, hot meals. Dinner will be served the first and second day in the Astronomers Lodge dining room. Dining at the AL is family style at shared tables. Various staff members and astronomers will likely join you during meals. To reach the AL facility, you will drive from the Visitors Center to the summit of Mt. Locke.
On our workshop web-site, I have included a map to help you become familiar with the summit of Mt. Locke. Always drive slowly and cautiously on the observatory grounds; you will see observatory staff as well as visitors on foot. Please park your car in the teacher parking area, designated on the Mt. Locke summit map. When you travel to the summit for your dinner meal and after dinner activities, we ask that you use this summit parking area.
The AL has a private phone booth on the lower floor. Please review the enclosed “Astronomers Lodge Guidelines” form for information regarding telephone calls and much more.
Other than meals: The Visitors Center has a small staff refrigerator, and basic first aid cabinet, in an office next to the classroom. Since others share the refrigerator, it is important to limit its use by storing only what is necessary for a single day - such as important medications. Soft drinks, water, coffee and snacks can be purchased from the StarDate Café in the Visitors Center.
Emergency Phone Contact:
You can be reached at one of the following three phone numbers. The main phone number in the classroom, where you will be mostly, is 432-426-4163 and there is voice mail at this phone. The number for the Visitors Center information desk, available from 10:00-5:30 P.M., is 432-426-3640 ext. 4. The main phone number during business hours on weekdays for McDonald Observatory is 432-426-3263, although after 5:30 P.M. and on weekends calls made to this number are forwarded to the Astronomers Lodge. Long distance phone calls can be made only with a calling card. In your packet you will find a listing of phone numbers to leave at home, should anyone need to contact you. Please note that cell phones do not work at the Visitors Center, the Indian Lodge, or along the highway.
Weather:
At nearly 7,000 feet above sea level, the weather at McDonald Observatory is difficult to predict and highly variable. Summer mornings and evenings are chilly, so we recommend bringing a jacket or windbreaker, and perhaps a sweatshirt. Sunscreen is a must at this altitude. To check out the current weather conditions at the Observatory, go to this web page, also linked on our workshop web page:
Due to the high altitude and dry climate we suggest that you drink plenty of water while at the observatory. Many people like to use body lotion and lip balm for this climate. Closed-toe shoes are safer for the evening observing experiences and tours.
Medical Emergencies:
Please complete the enclosed emergency information form and bring it with you. There is no need to send it before you leave. McDonald Observatory has several EMT trained staff to assist with medical emergencies.
Photo-release permission form:
Please complete the enclosed photo-release permission form and bring it with you. We might photograph a portion of the workshop to inform others of our experience together, and include the images in brochures or web sites.
Incidental Expenses:
Meals will be provided during the workshop, but bring enough money to cover any incidentals or souvenirs you might wish to purchase. There is a fantastic gift shop at the Visitors Center with a great deal to choose from. If you find material or items you would like to use in the classroom, you can avoid paying tax if you can provide your school ID and Texas tax-exempt number. The gift shop will accept VISA, MC, & DISCOVER cards, but cannot accept a school PO.
A word about our funders:
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration provides support for this
workshop under a Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES-2006), Program element E.6 Education & Public Outreach for Earth & Space Science Program (EPOESS), grant number NNX07A183G.
The workshop is also supported with funding from the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation Education Endowment and the Texas Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching.
