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Destination ASU

By Diane Boudreau

Whether you’re looking for art exhibits, ancient artifacts, or space exploration, there’s something here for every class. The following is a selection of facilities that offer tours for school groups. Please reserve all tours at least two weeks in advance.

ASU Art Museum
http://asuartmuseum.asu.edu/education/tours.htm
(480) 965-2787
The ASU Art Museum is recognized as one of the Southwest’s most significant contemporary art institutions. The museum offers free tours for school groups. An optional hands-on workshop involves an art-making project and is best for children aged 4-12.

The ASU Planetarium
http://phyastweb.la.asu.edu/planetarium/daytime_info.asp
(480) 965-6891
The ASU Planetarium can accommodate groups of up to 50 people. Most presentations last for 50 minutes and are geared to the abilities of the group. Preschool and kindergarten shows last 20 minutes. There is a $30 fee per presentation, $10 for preschool and kindergarten.

Center for Meteorite Studies
http://meteorites.asu.edu/
(480) 965-5734
The ASU Center for Meteorite Studies houses the world's largest university-based meteorite collection, with more than 1,500 separate meteorite falls. Staff members offer half-hour talks to school groups of 15 or fewer students. Larger groups can split up and visit other facilities such as the R.S. Dietz Museum of Geology, or the Life Sciences Living Collections, while waiting (see below).

Deer Valley Rock Art Center
http://www.asu.edu/clas/anthropology/dvrac/
(623) 582-8007
The Rock Art Center is located in north Phoenix at the intersection of 35th Avenue and Deer Valley Road. A quarter-mile, barrier-free trail provides an unobstructed view of ancient engravings along with a wide variety of plants and wildlife. Teachers are encouraged to request free preview passes so that they are sure of their surroundings before bringing school groups. The Center offers guided and self-guided tours.

Mars Space Flight Facility
http://marsed.asu.edu/
(480) 965-1790
The Mars Space Flight Facility supports the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) Experiment on the Mars Global Surveyor Spacecraft and the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (THEMIS) Experiment on the Mars Odyssey Spacecraft. The facility also houses the ASU Mars Education Program, which provides opportunities for teachers and students to join in the excitement of Mars exploration.

Museum of Anthropology
(480) 965-6224
ASUMA displays collections from physical anthropology, archaeology, and sociocultural anthropology. Tours are particularly appropriate for kids aged 8 and up.

In addition to formal tours, the ASU campus offers several self-guided attractions that are worth a look. These attractions do not require reservations.

R.S. Dietz Museum of Geology
http://www.asu.edu/it/museums/geology.html
(480) 965-7065
The Geology Museum showcases minerals, gems, fossils from around the world, the only active seismograph in central Arizona, a six-story Foucault pendulum, and mammoth bones from Chandler, Arizona. The museum does not offer guided tours, but groups of up to 15 at a time are welcome to peruse the collection. The museum is free and is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Public Art at ASU
http://herbergercollege.asu.edu/public_art/public_art.html
From Depression-era murals to contemporary sculpture, public art at ASU reflects the rich historical traditions of the university and Arizona, as well as more recent artistic expressions. Visit the Web site to download a walking tour of all the pieces.

Life Sciences Center Living Collections
(480) 965-3369
Visit the Life Sciences A wing to see a variety of reptile displays, including the only complete living collection of all eighteen sub-species of Arizona native rattlesnakes. In the center of the A wing is a gallery displaying skulls and skeletons of indigenous wildlife.

The Arboretum at ASU
http://www.asu.edu/fm/arboretum.htm
(480) 965-8467
ASU’s main campus is the largest public urban arboretum in Arizona. Included in the collection are palms and palm-like plants, deciduous trees, fruit-bearing trees, conifers, evergreen trees, desert trees, cacti, succulents, and desert accent plants. Arboretum walking guides are available at the ASU Visitors Center on Apache Boulevard and Rural Road.

Grammar Usage Bank
The Grammar Usage Bank features simple, straightforward lessons created by students in ASU's ENG 482: Methods of Teaching English Language. Classroom teachers are invited to run these lessons off either for class instruction or for use by individual students who need a refresher lesson and practice with one or more of the most common mistakes. Read more

The Math-Science Honors Program is an intense academic program that provides motivated students an outstanding opportunity to begin university mathematics and science studies before graduating high school. Read more

Programs for Talented Youth offers talented fourth through seventh grade students an opportunity to experience challenging courses from a variety of academic disciplines. These educational opportunities are provided on a year round basis: a three-week program in the summer, and a six-week Saturday program in the fall and spring.