The University of Texas at Austin: Exploring

Your World

All of these world-class components of UT Austin rely partially on private funds to maintain their current level of excellence.

Make your gift today and show your support for one of these UT Austin treasures:

Simply return the enclosed reply card with your payment or visit our secure Web site at giving.utexas.edu/hookedontexas.

How You Can Make a Difference

Marine Science Institute

More than 68 years old, the Marine Science Institute (MSI) is home to innovative research on environmental issues that affect our coasts and innovative education and outreach programs that help educate a global population dependent on the ocean ecosystem. Located on the Texas coast in Port Aransas, MSI’s research has a global reach. Its thriving Visitors Center sees more than 40,000 guests annually. MSI also operates the Animal Rehabilitation Keep, which rescues and rehabilitates aquatic birds and turtles. (www.utmsi.utexas.edu)

• Center for Learning and Memory• Information eXperience Lab• Marine Science Institute

• McDonald Observatory• Texas Advanced Computing Center• Texas Natural Science Center

Information eXperience LabThe Information eXperience Lab (IX Lab) is a research and teaching facility in the School of Information designed to study human interaction with digital tools and resources. The lab has allowed students and faculty to conduct usability evaluations for local businesses and nonprofits, as well as experiments examining how visually impaired users navigate the Web. The IX Lab’s ultimate goal is to foster new digital tools that will benefit society and help us understand how we can better engage with information in an increasingly information-intensive world.(www.ischool.utexas.edu/technology/ixlab)

At the Center for Learning and Memory, neuroscientists from diverse backgrounds conduct research to explain how the brain processes and stores information to create memories. Research at the center is building a foundation of knowledge about the brain that is essential for continued progress in understanding disorders such as Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, schizophrenia, brain injury, and aging-related memory loss. The center’s goal of understanding the mystery of human memory is ambitious; however, the potential benefit to the health and well-being of society is enormous. (www.clm.utexas.edu)

Center for Learning and Memory

Texas Advanced Computing Center

The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) operates some of the most powerful computing resources in the world, including two of the largest supercomputing systems (Ranger, Lonestar), the highest-resolution display (Stallion), and massive data-storage systems (Ranch, Corral). TACC staff develop technologies to make these resources even more powerful and provide education and training programs that enhance the skills of both current and future researchers. These resources, technologies, and services empower researchers in Texas and across the nation to make breakthrough discoveries that change the world. (www.tacc.utexas.edu)

In the Davis Mountains of West Texas — underneath some of the darkest skies in the continental United States — you’ll find the McDonald Observatory. The observatory is home to the Hobby-Eberly Telescope — one of the world’s largest optical telescopes, which is currently being employed to create the first map of the universe that will provide a better understanding of dark energy. In addition to conducting groundbreaking research and serving as a resource for UT Austin students and astronomers worldwide, the observatory makes astronomy accessible to the public through its extensive education and outreach program. The Visitors Center welcomes between 60,000 and 100,000 guests annually, offering daily guided tours and the popular “Star Party” viewing programs year-round.(www.mcdonaldobservatory.org)

McDonald Observatory

tt Texas Natural Science CenterThe Texas Natural Science Center brings the thrill of discovery to students of all ages. With more than 70 years of world-renowned research in the disciplines of biology, geology, and paleontology, the center has collections of 6 million natural specimens. The center’s outreach programs include K-12 teacher training workshops and classroom presentations by UT scientists, as well as public events. In addition to its research labs, collections, and outreach programs, the center is home to the award-winning Texas Memorial Museum. More than 75,000 people — including 40,000 schoolchildren — visit the museum each year. Exhibits focus on evolution, dinosaurs and fossils, Texas wildlife, and gems and minerals. Spotlighted in the exhibits are amazing specimens found in Texas, including the largest flying creature ever found — the Texas Pterosaur, with a wingspan of nearly 40 feet. (www.utexas.edu/tmm) Cover image: Onion Creek Mosasaur, Texas Natural Science Center

Photo by Tim Jones, StarDate magazine

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTINAnnual Giving Programs

University Development OfficePO Box 7458Austin, TX 78713-7458

Phone: 866-875-9651Email: txfund@www.utexas.eduWeb: giving.utexas.edu/hookedontexas