Science & Technology School Trip to Orlando, Florida

A WST tour to Orlando can support the study of key elements of subject content for GCSEs, Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers & A Levels in the Sciences.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTRE

Engaging education programs at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex bring space exploration to life. Students can explore the Apollo/Saturn V Center, home of the massive 365 foot-long Saturn V rocket, tour NASA areas and to interact with shows and exhibits. Students also meet astronauts, watch larger-than-life 3D IMAX® films, come face-to-face with Space Shuttle Atlantis℠, strap into the Shuttle Launch Experience® and explore historic rockets.

Standard Admission includes:  

Space Shuttle Atlantis®, Shuttle Launch Experience®, Heroes and Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® presented by Boeing®, Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour including Apollo/Saturn V Center, Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted, Astronaut Encounter, IMAX® Theater 3D Films, Rocket Launch Viewing (when available), Numerous Shows and Exhibits.

ADDITIONAL EXTRAS AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER:  

Lunch with an Astronaut: We can arrange for your group to spend up close time with an Astronaut and have a private buffet meal. Hear from a veteran NASA astronaut about what it’s really like to launch, live and work in space. He or she speaks and shows a personalised presentation, then takes individual questions. Be sure to bring your camera!   

KSC Launch Control Center Tour 

Imagine yourself in the center of the action, giving the “Go!” for launch as you tour NASA’s Firing Room 4, from which the last 21 space shuttle missions were launched. Get up-close views of former shuttle launch pads and learn how Kennedy Space Center is transforming into a 21st century spaceport. Allow 2 Hours

For more info visit Kennedy Space Center 

ATX (Astronaut Training Experience) Immerse yourself in the exciting world of today’s astronauts with realistic astronaut training. You will hear first-hand from a veteran NASA astronaut, experience a space shuttle mission simulation and perform hands-on space exploration activities.

This intense, exciting half-day of hands-on training is the closest most people ever get to going into orbit. Your ATX training includes operating a full-scale shuttle mock-up and taking the helm in mission control. The entire program was designed with the help of NASA astronauts, so you know it’s as real as it gets! Due to the special nature of the ATX program, space is limited. 

DISNEY IMAGINATION CAMPUS PROGRAMME SERIES: SCIENCE – IN DISNEY PARKS

* THE PROGRAMME OFFERS BEST VALUE PARK ENTRY FOR SCHOOL GROUPS*

Disney Imagination Campus programs take place in the information-rich setting of the Disney Parks in Florida to give students – and teachers, a hands-on, educational adventure. This collection of guided sessions, available in Applied Sciences & more, is accredited, standards-based and designed to reinforce your classroom lessons. Practice teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving skills as your group participates in one-of-a-kind moments that use the magic of Disney to make learning even more impactful.

One compulsory session of your choice is included in your programme –which includes one or multiple Park entry (others sessions can be added for an additional fee).

Sessions include: 

Physics of Disney Parks – spark student’s curiosity by putting them into the shoes of Disney Imagineers as they explore how the laws of physics are applied to every element of the theme park experience.

Technology of Disney Parks – get an inside look at how Disney Imagineers dream, design, and put their storytelling skills and practice techniques to use in order to bring beloved Disney characters and stories to life.

WALT DISNEY WORLD PARKS

We highly recommend park entry using the programme detailed above for both the best educational and best value visit!

MAGIC KINGDOM PARK

Fairytale dreams come true for children of all ages at Magic Kingdom park. Delight in classic attractions, enchanting fireworks, musical parades and beloved Disney Characters across 6 whimsical lands. See fantasy become a reality as you explore Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Main Street, U.S.A. areas. Zoom through space, become a swashbuckling pirate and watch fireworks light up the sky over Cinderella Castle.

EPCOT CENTRE

Explore exciting attractions, enchanting international pavilions, award-winning fireworks and seasonal special events. Celebrating the human spirit, Epcot has 2 distinct realms: Future World, which features technological innovations, and World Showcase, which shares with Guests the culture and cuisine of 11 countries: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada.

DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Movie magic comes to life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, awash in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Step into the action with attractions based on blockbuster movies and top TV shows, and delight in exciting entertainment that puts you center stage. With the vibrancy of a bustling movie set, this park features 8 sections: Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Sunset Boulevard, Streets of America, Commissary Lane, Pixar Place, Mickey Avenue and Animation Courtyard areas.

DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM THEME PARK

Encounter exotic animals and exciting adventures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, one of the largest animal theme parks in the world. Home to more than 2,000 animals across 300 species, the park reflects Walt Disney’s dedication to conservation and is committed to animal care, education and research. Explore 6 enthralling lands: Oasis, Discovery Island, Africa, Rafiki's Planet Watch, Asia and DinoLand, U.S.A. areas. 

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO® RESORT

Universal Orlando® Resort is more than a theme park. It's an entire universe of action and thrills featuring TWO spectacular theme parks unlike anything else in Orlando.  We highly recommend park entry with an educational programme shown below for both the best educational and best value visit!

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA® THEME PARK

Universal Studios Florida® is a real working motion picture and television studio that enables guests to jump right into the action of their favourite films and TV shows 'on-set' of a variety of fully dressed backlot locations.  Inside the gates of Universal Studios and you'll find yourself in the middle of a real working film and television production studio; and Production Central is where Hollywood meets Orlando, and the business of making movies meets the excitement of living them. Enjoy this and the exciting zones of New York, San Francisco, Hollywood and the World Expo.

Not forgetting the thrills and magical experiences in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Diagon Alley™ and a trip on the Hogwarts™ Express!

UNIVERSAL'S ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE® THEME PARK

Take an unforgettable journey as the world's most cutting edge rides, shows and interactive attractions bring your favourite stories, myths, cartoons, comic books and children's tales to life. 

Enjoy all the zones including; Marvel Super Hero Island® , Toon Lagoon®, Jurassic Park®, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Hogsmeade™, The Lost Continent® and Seuss Landing™

UNIVERSAL EDUCATIONAL STEM PROGRAMMES

This program is a series of independent application programs that were created to align with national education standards. Using the know-how behind top attractions like Skull Island: Reign of Kong™ and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit™, these programs help students deepen their understanding of how Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics are integrated in the rides and attractions.

Transformers ROLL Out - Apply the engineering principles of the 6 Degrees of Freedom to a hands-on analysis of Transformers: The Ride 3D.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit™ Science - Experience hands-on physics lesson about the law of conservation of energy that makes Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit so thrilling.

Mummy Dig-Site Detective - Students take a scientist’s keen eye to details as they observe and investigate strange events taking place in the Museum of Antiquities.

Jurassic Paleobotany - Explore diverse Jurassic landscape as you identify growing foliage to fossils of extant species.

Kongtrol Panel - Working with a hands-on simulation of Skull Island: Reign of Kong, students use coordinating systems to safely program virtual ride vehicles.

ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTRE

The Science Center combines educational activity, fun and knowledge all under one roof in four floors of exciting exhibits, workshops and engaging live programmes.

EXHIBITS: You will be given approximately 30 minutes in each scheduled exhibit area which changes throughout the year but includes a wide range of scientific hands-on, inquiry-based discovery. During your visit, volunteers and staff will be placed throughout the building to support you and your students. As well as the Exhibits groups can then choose to either take part in a Discovery Lab Workshop OR view a live show.

DISCOVERY LAB WORKSHOPS (KS 4-5):  The center provides exciting hands-on workshops for groups. Here are the ones we think will suit your students’ studies the most. 

Forensic Science: This lab is designed to intrigue and interest your students in the field of forensic science. Discover how techniques such as chromatography, blood typing and facial composite computer software have changed the world of crime solving. See how forensic scientists use biology, physics and chemistry in the field of criminology. 

Advanced ChemLab: Be enchanted by how temperature affects reaction rates and use inquiry-based learning to separate substances. Use the SPARK Science Learning System and PASCO probeware technology to analyse rise and fall in temperature of chemical changes. Test reactions and burn compounds to identify unknown substances. 

Advanced BioLab:  Explore how the levels of CO2 in a plant terrarium will change during photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Discover the different ways stimulants and depressants will affect physiological activity in the body. Find which organelles an animal cell and a plant cell have in common with wet-mount and methylene blue-stained cheek and onion cells. 

LIVE SHOWS: Live Shows are performed by trained Science Educators, demonstrating experiments and interacting with the audience. The show changes through the year. A Live Show can be substituted for a Discovery Lab Workshop.  We suggest you follow this link to see what’s on during your visit. http://www.osc.org/experiences/science-live/

BOGGY CREEK BOAT RIDES

Witness territory that remains unaltered by man in the wilderness of the Central Florida Everglades. Let experienced Master Captains take you into the breathtaking beauty of natural wonders, including wetlands, cypress trees, and wildlife. Ride with a certified U.S. Coast Guard Captain and see Florida alligators, turtles, birds and more in their natural environment. This safe, exciting and educational airboat ride is filled with surprises and fascination. Each airboat tour is a unique experience and never the same. You will enjoy whisking across the surface of the water at speeds up to 45 mph while shooting between walls of tall grass.

CENTRAL FLORIDA ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDENS

See over 500 animals representing nearly 200 species (that doesn't even include the insects) in this small but very pleasant zoo set amongst the lush botanical gardens. Groups can participate in special animal education presentations such as zoo keeper chats.