Discover Dallas through STEM!
Dallas is packed with unique STEM sights and opportunities to learn. But the city’s works of art, industry, architecture and nature sometimes go unnoticed in the blur of everyday life. We often see them without realizing what they are – opportunities to follow our natural curiosity.
Dallas Explorers Challenge – March Through May 31, 2021 in the Arts District
Take a walk through the outdoor, public spaces in our world renowned Arts District and look at it one day through the lens of math and science. Your virtual guide is Dr. Glen Whitney, founder of the only math museum in the US and a member of our team. Access the guide on the freely downloadable, location-based app Otocast.
Otocast is a completely free platform for hosting map-based audio guides – after downloading and opening the app, the closest tours to your current location will be presented first. If you have locations services turned off on your device, you can also search by term or city for “Dallas” or “walkSTEM” to easily find our content. Additionally, by signing up using an Apple ID, Google Account, or email address, you can visit locations on our Dallas Arts District tour in person to earn virtual badges marking your progress – and, through April 30, visit any ten stops for an entry into a talkSTEM raffle, open to all ages! Raffle will be drawn on May 31, 2021, 11:59 PM, with multiple fun prizes given out, including two grand prize winners who receive 50,000 travelers’ miles courtesy of American Airlines. Email addresses are kept anonymously, and only used to congratulate badge-earners or notify winners of prize details. Teachers can also create class accounts for their students to collectively visit locations and work together to earn rewards in accordance with their own personal lesson plans, whether homework passes, extra credit, or something else entirely! Available for both iOS and Android.
More STEM walking tours in Dallas
Have fun, and spark your child’s curiosity! This is not about the “right answer” — it’s about the joy of exploring the world around you, of asking questions, and of seeing how much you can figure out together!
You can use the Dallas Explorers booklet providing lists of about 70 locations you can explore, links to short videos highlighting STEM connections to these locations, and space for your reactions. Download the booklet here.
talkSTEM and our partners provide numerous inspiring and engaging locations where you can get your child out from behind the screen and employ those naturally inquisitive minds on a self-guided, self-paced journey. talkSTEM’s City Explorer Walks are fun and many are free. The best part is you can pick as many sites as you like. Pick a site, watch the YouTube videos, and you’re on your way to learning!
walkSTEM Dallas Explorers Participant Locations
Below are listings for all current walkSTEM tour locations. At any time, you can also take a virtual walkSTEM tour through our collection of short videos on talkSTEM’s YouTube Channel.
NorthPark Center in Dallas, TX
Containing an internationally acclaimed collection of 20th and 21st century art and visited by 25 million people a year. View the playlist ⟶
Flyers with details and QR codes can be requested at the NPC concierge desk.
*Additionally, NorthPark Center is hosting a sneak preview of AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassadors, please be sure to check out their exhibit September 10 through November 9!
Dallas Arts District
The largest contiguous arts district in the US. Click here to download map. View the playlist ⟶
SMU
A lively campus supporting humanities and sciences programs for its students. View the playlist ⟶
* Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only outdoor STEM exhibits will be accessible.
Fair Park in Dallas, TX
The largest collection of publicly owned Art Deco buildings in the US, mostly completed between 1900 and 1936 for the Texas Centennial Exposition. View the playlist ⟶
*Fair Park guests should enter through Gate 5, located at the intersection of Robert B Cullum Boulevard and Grand Avenue. Visit www.fairpark.org for up-to-date gate information.
Dallas City Hall Plaza
Containing I.M.Pei designed City Hall Building, Henry Moore sculpture, and more. View the playlist ⟶
RedBird
A pivotal space in southern Dallas highlighting the growing community. View the playlist ⟶
West End Historic District
Combining historic charm and modern elements with museums, restaurants, shops and entertainment.
View the playlist ⟶
Ronald Kirk Bridge
Unique park the bridges west Dallas and downtown, provides trails for exploring, playgrounds for families and a tribute to the Trinity River Basin below. View the playlist ⟶
Wanna take a DEEP dive into Dallas Explorers walkSTEM sites?
We have a prepared a detailed PDF outlining each stop at every location, including video links and best ages for all stops at each tour. Download your copy below.
Get Creative!
You can join the walkSTEM community and Create Your Own Walk. We would love for you to share using our social media! This is a fun family project.
#STEMLens: We Want to See what YOU See!
Have some fun while you help us build an online visual STEM library – freely accessible to families everywhere!
Show us what you see beyond the walkSTEM stops and anywhere else you go!
There are no limits!
Here’s your chance to add an educational spin to family outings and a fun spin to academic topics!
Special Thanks to our Supporting Organizations
We believe that every child is a STEM child and we invite you to join our community. Sign up to receive updates and event, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
talkSTEM works hard to make unique and high quality STE(A)M educational content freely available to all children. We partner with such youth-serving organizations as Dallas ISD, Girls Inc, Imagine Science, and more. Every dollar you contribute goes directly to our educational programming and content creation that reaches under-resourced student populations. Donate now.
Interested in more?
Click here to explore the entire list of walkSTEM locations throughout Dallas. Explore and download supplementary activity sheets here.
For more information on all the different ways you can explore Dallas by taking a walk and sharing YOUR math, science, STEM, or STEAM questions, click here.
Please walk safely!
Protect others. Protect yourself. We encourage everyone to walkSTEM safely and follow CDC recommended protocols as you explore. PLEASE wear masks indoors and out, and practice safe distancing as you walk.
Dr. Koshi Dhingra has dedicated her career to STEM education and is passionate about having every child live up to their potential. Seeing a lack of girls and other underrepresented youth in STEM programs, she founded talkSTEM in 2015 to address the imbalance. She has a doctorate in science education from Teachers College, Columbia University, has years of experience teaching in graduate and undergraduate programs, and has held leadership roles in universities. She advises and collaborates with a broad range of educational institutions globally. Dr. Dhingra began her career teaching science in middle and high school in New York. She lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, three children, and two dogs.
