Texas Science & Natural History Museum

$3,545
Donated
16
Donors
This campaign ended on April 30, 2026, but you can still make a gift to University of Texas at Austin by clicking here!
About

Texas Science & Natural History Museum



Ignite discovery and inspire future scientists!

Texas Science & Natural History Museum excites, engages and connects curious minds of all ages with the unique and irreplaceable natural history of Texas.

The museum tells the story of life in the natural world in Texas, from the formation of our planet through the age of dinosaurs and into our current time.

As a self-supporting unit of The University of Texas at Austin, the museum depends on the support of people like you. Your gift will help foster a robust educational experience for visitors, create innovative new exhibits and help ensure the museum’s long-term sustainability as a treasured community resource.

Make a lasting impact

Since reopening in September 2023, we’ve welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors, including hundreds of school and community groups.

With your support, we create innovative new exhibits and robust educational experiences for all ages.

Join us in fostering curiosity, discovery, and education for the next generation!

  • $50 provides a day of exploration at the museum for 8 students
  • $150 supports a hands-on learning activity for a school group
  • $250 helps underwrite free public education programs



On behalf of my students and our entire school community, I want to extend my deepest thanks for the generous grant that made our field trip to Texas Science and Natural History Museum possible.

As a Title I school, opportunities like this are incredibly rare. We work hard to give our students meaningful learning experiences, but limited funding often makes trips like this feel out of reach. Your support opened a door to wonder, discovery, and joy.

Many of our students had never set foot in a museum before. To see their faces light up as they explored the exhibits, asked questions, and made real-world connections to what we've been learning in the classroom was truly moving. For some of them, this wasn’t just a fun day out... it was a moment of inspiration, a spark that might one day lead to a future in science, history, or education.

Thank you for believing in our students and investing in their potential. Your generosity reminded them that they matter, that they belong in places of learning and discovery, and that there are people out there who believe in their future.

With sincere gratitude,

Colbi Dickerson
4th Grade ELAR Teacher
Live Oak Elementary
Round Rock ISD

Gifts to Texas Science & Natural History Museum contribute to...

40 Hours for the Forty Acres
3,530 Donors - $1,162,569 Donated
Incentives 😎
Get 5 gifts through your advocate link to earn a 40 for Forty Bandana.
Only 42 left!
Generate 5 Gifts
Get 10 gifts through your advocate link to earn a clear UT fanny pack.
Only 63 left!
Generate 10 Gifts
Get 15 gifts through your advocate link to earn a 40 for Forty 30 oz. tumbler.
Only 34 left!
Generate 15 Gifts

Advocates 📣

Community Advocates

Generated 3281 clicks and 310 gifts, totaling $35,401

Soh Nishiyama

Generated 302 clicks and 116 gifts, totaling $19,672

Luke Mastrian

Generated 339 clicks and 233 gifts, totaling $18,348

David Griffin

Generated 170 clicks and 61 gifts, totaling $11,515

Randall Ford

Generated 113 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $5,825

Anna Boxall

Generated 295 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,765

Mark Carella

Generated 130 clicks and 18 gifts, totaling $3,717

Victoria Mena

Generated 97 clicks and 7 gifts, totaling $3,560

Sam Zarou

Generated 71 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,260

Katelyn Rood

Generated 174 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $3,233


Leaderboards & Donors 🎁

View All Donors
Donor Affiliations
Gradhat icon19%Alumni
Suitcase icon7%Faculty/Staff
Friends icon7%Friends
Gradhat icon7%Texas Exes Chapter
Most Recent Donors
Suzanne Gonzalez
Suzanne Gonzalez
Anonymous
Anonymous
Bunnie Twidwell
Bunnie Twidwell
Anonymous
Anonymous
Robin Hamilton
Robin Hamilton
Richard G Skufca
Richard G Skufca
Robert Hensley
Robert Hensley
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Maggie Gilburg
Maggie Gilburg
Updates❗
​Final Advocate Update

Advocates, you have until 10:00 p.m. CST to solidify your rankings. Good luck!

Gift Count Leaders

1. Luke Mastrian – 232

2. Soh Nishiyama – 116

3. David Griffin – 59

4. Jacob – 38

5. Rizky Pratama – 29


Dollars Raised Leaders

1. Soh Nishiyama – $19,672

2. Luke Mastrian – $18,338

3. David Griffin – $11,414.60

4. Randall Ford – $5,675

5. Mark Carella – $3,717


Winners will be announced on May 1.

35 days ago by Pablo Mora
Final Sprint

Longhorns, this is the final sprint of 40 Hours for the Forty Acres!

Make your final gift now and help push us across the finish line at 10:00 p.m. CST.

Competing on a leaderboard? Every gift and share can still change the standings and this is your last chance to claim advocate incentives.

35 days ago by Pablo Mora
Advocate Challenge Update #3

Final hour, Advocates! Nothing is locked in! Every share and every gift can still change the leaderboard. The top five advocates in each challenge earn extra match dollars for the designation of their choice.

Gift Count Leaders

1. Luke Mastrian – 231

2. Soh Nishiyama – 116

3. David Griffin – 59

4. Jacob – 38

5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon – 25

Dollars Raised Leaders

1. Soh Nishiyama – $19,672

2. Luke Mastrian – $18,288

3. David Griffin – $11,414.60

4. Randall Ford – $5,675

5. Mark Carella – $3,717

One final update will be placed on the 40 for Forty site at 9:30 p.m. CST.

35 days ago by Pablo Mora
Advocate Challenge Update #2

Here’s where things stand right now in our Advocate Challenges. Every share and every gift counts, nothing is locked in yet. Remember that the top five advocates for each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.

Current Leaders

Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:

1. Luke Mastrian - 189 gifts

2. Soh Nishiyama - 76 gifts

3. David Griffin - 48 gifts

4. Jacob - 27 gifts

5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 23 gifts

 

Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:

1. Soh Nishiyama - $13,950

2. Luke Mastrian - $13,428

3. David Griffin - $9,695

4. Randall Ford - $5,475

5. Mark Carella - $3,567

 

Huge thanks to our advocates who are pushing hard and setting the pace. Leaders, defend your spot as we make our way to the 10:00 p.m. CST finish line!

36 days ago by Pablo Mora
Advocate Challenge Update #1

We’re excited to share a snapshot of the current standings in our two Advocate Challenges during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres. These rankings reflect where things stand right now and there’s still plenty of time to keep moving up! Remember that the top five advocates in each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.

Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:

1. Luke Mastrian - 156 gifts

2. Soh Nishiyama - 35 gifts

3. David Griffin - 26 gifts

4. Jacob - 18 gifts

5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 15 gifts


Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:

1. Luke Mastrian - $8,943

2. Soh Nishiyama - $5,960

3. David Griffin - $4,945

4. Randall Ford - $4,375

5. Emily Quigley - $2,376

A huge thank you to everyone who has already stepped up as an advocate. Your outreach, enthusiasm, and commitment are powering 40 Hours for the Forty Acres.

Keep sharing your links, keep spreading the word, and keep up the great work, we can’t wait to see how these leader boards shift as we approach the finish on April 30 at 10 p.m. CST!

36 days ago by Pablo Mora