The kids are out of school for Spring Break, but that doesn't have to mean a break from learning. Fun lessons, including astronomy, history, and music, await in unusual classrooms across the Highland Lakes.

Here's what's on the lesson plan for Spring Break 2023:

AERONAUTICS

Bluebonnet Airshow

Kate Craddock Field, 2302 S. Water St. in Burnet

Watch an aeronautics lesson up high during the Bluebonnet Airshow on March 18 in Burnet. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

The Highland Lakes Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force hosts a lesson on American sky power and history during the annual Bluebonnet Airshow on Saturday, March 18. Watch World War II-era planes take to the skies and explore them up close on the ground. Gates open at 9 a.m.; the aerial show begins around noon. Admission is $20 for ages 18-59, $15 for ages 60-plus and military members with identification, $10 for ages 6-17, and free for ages 5 and younger.

ASTRONOMY

Planetarium

Herman Brown Free Library, 100 E. Washington St. in Burnet; 512-715-5228

Gaze at the universe during a planetarium show at the Burnet library while listening to an astronomy lesson from Stars & Science Austin staff. Several 30- to 45-minute programs for varying age groups are scheduled on Monday, March 13. You can pre-register for guaranteed seating online or by calling 512-715-5228. HISTORY

Fort Croghan Museum and Grounds

703 Buchanan Drive in Burnet; 512-756-8281

Step into a pioneer schoolroom and other historic buildings at Fort Croghan Museum and Grounds in Burnet from March 11-18. Staff photo

Get a free primer on frontier Texas and Burnet County's founding from March 11-18 at Fort Croghan. Kids can see how settlers and soldiers lived in the 1800s by touring a blacksmith's shop, stagecoach house, cabins, and even a schoolhouse and studying the artifacts on hand. The U.S. government established the fort in 1849 to protect settlers.

The museum will be open for its 2023 season on April 6 through Oct. 14, which is Fort Croghan Day. Regular season hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. It celebrates an old-time Christmas on Dec. 9.

Ramblin' Rita's Texas Tales

Marble Falls Public Library, 101 Main St.; 830-693-3023

Listen to tall Texas tales during a special, interactive storytime at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 16, at the Marble Falls library. No reservations required. The event is free. Children's Librarian Kate Bravo told KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners about it.

MUSIC

Celtaire String Band

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site,199 Park Road 52 in Stonewall; 830-644-2252

The musically inclined can try their hand at playing historic songs at the LBJ State Park's Sauer-Beckmann Farm from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, March 15. The Celtaire String Band has been performing at Texas historical sites, including the Alamo, for almost two decades.

NATURAL WORLD

Photo scavenger hunt at Doeskin Ranch

9481 FM 1174 in Bertram

Seek out flora and fauna during a photo scavenger hunt at Doeskin Ranch on the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. Hunts are scheduled on March 13 and 17. Photo by Claire Hassler/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Bring the family closer to nature at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge's Doeskin Ranch. Photo scavenger hunts are from 1-4 p.m. Monday, March 13, or Friday, March 17, on the Creek Trail and the Pond and Prairie Trail, both relatively child-friendly paths. Refuge entrance and the event are free.

Volunteers will be stationed on the trailhead to hand out sheets with your nature hunting goals. Remember: Take only photos!

For more on the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, visit its U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service webpage.

Events at local Texas State Parks

Inks Lake State Park, Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco State Park, and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Texas State Parks in the Highland Lakes have several events scheduled during Spring Break, many of them geared toward children. Check out the events pages for Inks Lake, Pedernales Falls, Blanco, and Enchanted Rock to see what's in store. Highlights include a native snakes program at Inks Lake on March 11 and March 18, an atlatl demonstration at Pedernales Falls on March 12, Fishing 101 at Blanco on March 17 and March 18, and a star party at Enchanted Rock on March 11.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH

Science Mill's Robot Mania

101 S. Lady Bird Lane in Johnson City; 844-263-6405

Future scientists can build, program, and battle robots during the Science Mill's special Spring Break program. It takes place March 11-19. Designed for ages 5 and older.

Activities include battling bots, exploring computer coding, driving a rover over Mars, controlling a robotic marionette or a giant robot hand, and much more. Science Mill visitors can also "meet" real-life engineers, programmers, and other robotic professionals at video stations set up across the museum and explore its 50-plus hands-on exhibits.

During Spring Break, the Science Mill is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $11 for ages 18-64, $9.50 for ages 3-17, $9 for ages 65 and older, and free for kids 2 and younger.

For more fun and informative things to do during Spring Break 2023, browse the Vacation Guides at 101HighlandLakes.com, including Lakes, Outdoors, Hiking, Play, See, Wildflowers, and Eat and Drink.

editor@thepicayune.com

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