subject: Take a Science Focused Student Trip to Orlando, FL by:Howard Clemens [print this page] Educators who have not yet sampled Disney's Youth Education Series (Y.E.S.) need to take note. Teachers, administrators and parents will find the programs appealing on many levels. Student travel groups participate in interactive learning experiences aligned with National Standards in education. Many of Disney's Y.E.S. programs appeal to the 6-12 grade levels. Some Y.E.S. programs are geared for audiences beginning in third grade. Consider building a science-focused itinerary to Orlando, FL with trips to Disney Theme Parks such as Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom on the itinerary and learning as a top priority.
Student travel leaders can chose to immerse groups in Natural Science, Physical Science, or select Y.E.S. programs from each category. For the student travel organizer who is looking for resources and justification for a trip to Disney World, these Y.E.S. Programs are structured to meet educational objectives as well as creating a fun environment for active learning.
Epcot Center Offers a World of Discovery for Student Groups
Disney's Ocean Discoveries is a program facilitated by Epcot Living Sea Educators who are trained and knowledgeable about Marine Science. Students will learn about challenges to the marine environments of: dolphins, sharks, sea turtles and manatees. They will also take an active role in a town hall meeting about a conservation issue and swap places with the animals from the deep to understand how they are trained and cared for.
Animal Kingdom Offers Exceptional Active Learning Experiences
Disney's Team Up for Wildlife is a program that takes student groups through Animal Kingdom while encouraging them to think about engagement with the world of nature as an experience informed by ethical conservation. Student travel groups will learn how humans impact the eco-system of animals, alternative energy sources in nature, Native American beliefs about animals and the natural world, and ecotourism. Or, student groups may want to experience Disney's Wild by Nature, where participants will collect data on animal behaviors. Student travelers will also learn how animals adapt and survive in the wild. The issue of conservation is posed in this program as well. Students learn how humans may help or hinder animal survival by paying attention to consumption of resources. These programs are appropriate for grades 3-9.
Magic Kingdom's Energy in Waves for Student Groups Offers Exceptional Learning Experiences
If student experiences are geared more towards the physical sciences, Disney's Y.E.S. programs have a great deal to offer. Synergy in Science is an educational program for 1st -5th graders and taught by Disney Y.E.S. Cast Members. Students will learn to use tinker toys to collaborate and communicate, watch a 3D film and learn about light polarization, and engage with and examine the imaginative process with Figment. Disney's World of Physics: Energies and Waves is designed for 3rd to 12th graders and is a great active learning experience that helps student investigate the nature of light and sound waves, and understand how both can be manipulated. Student groups will learn many scientific facts about sound. Compression waves, mediums, frequencies, and speed of sound are some of the topics covered. Student groups will also learn about light by viewing the electromagnetic spectrum. Groups will see how light is reflected and refracted and absorbed. As a final component to the l!
esson on light, presenters will give an overview of how the illusion of the Haunted Mansion is created by manipulation of light.
World of Physics: Properties in Motion
Appropriate for grade levels 3-12, Disney's World of Physics: Properties of Motion is another active learning experience that is taught in Magic Kingdom. This Y.E.S program is an up-close examination of roller coasters and how they exhibit certain laws of motion such as speed, velocity, acceleration, kinetic energy, centripetal force, and positive g-force and lateral g-force. The Walt Disney World Resort Monorail Transportation System and Disney's Space Mountain are two of the rides used as examples.
As any educator can plainly see, Disney has done a wonderful job of creating high quality interactive educational experiences in the parks that will engage and fascinate students while they learn. If students are headed for Orlando, schedule the group for a Y.E.S. program to deepen the educational experience.
About the author
Howard Clemens founded Educational Travel Consultants in 1984. Over the last 24 years, Mr. Clemens has organized student travel tours for thousands of high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. His company also specializes in performance tours to Washington D.C., New York City, and Orlando, Florida. Email him at info@educationaltravelconsultants.com or visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.
