Walt Disney World

September 25 - October 2, 2010

UPDATE (7/14/10): The following educational programs have been confirmed (and more are very close to being confirmed):

How Things Move

Synergy in Science

Wild By Nature 1

Disney Youth Educational Programs

Disney offers many educational programs for student groups. I've chosen the following programs for our 2010 trip. The date and time of each program is listed in each description. Please read through the descriptions and choose a program for each student (K-12, and college) in your party. One educational program is included in the cost of your group ticket. You may register for additional programs for an extra $26 per student, per program.

Before you decide on your programs, our experience is that older students (around 5th grade and up) will enjoy Disney's programs for older and high school students much more than the programs listed for younger children. If you try to choose one program so all of your children (younger and older) can attend together, your older children will very likely be bored. Honest. They'll get much more educational value out of the older programs. It's worth it to separate them so they can attend programs that are more appropriate for their grade level. Trust me.

There is a minimum requirement of 10 students for each program, so I may have to cancel a program if we don't have enough students enrolled. If your student registers for only one program, please choose another program as their second choice in case we don't have enough registrations for their first choice. If your student registers for more than one program, please list them in order of preference (extra program fees will be refunded if we don't have enough registrations for their extra programs).

Note grade-level requirements before choosing programs; they are enforced by Disney. See each description for the length of each program – each program is a one-day program (programs are not conducted over several days).

Also note that the times for these programs are set by Disney and can't be changed. If you're not a morning person, you may want to register for a program that is offered later in the day.

Younger Children

How Things Move (Grades K5 through 2nd grade)

Monday, September 27, at 8:15 am in Magic Kingdom.

The children in this 2.5-hour program will learn how physics works in the design process of theme park attractions. They'll learn about the science of motion, and will construct a ride model of their own design. They'll also study the properties of magnetism and its use in transportation. (Children ages 7 and under must be chaperoned by one parent during this program.) Find out more about this program here.

Synergy in Science (Grades 1-5)

Thursday, September 30, at 12:45 pm in Epcot.
Students in this 3-hour program will take an in-depth exploration of the interaction between creativity and technology. By investigating technologies at work in Epcot® attractions, students discover the "magic" behind entertainment technology, computer technology, communication, light polarization, problem-solving, 3D imagery, and more. Find out more about this program here.

Disney's Wild by Nature I (Grades 2-5)

Tuesday, September 28, at 8:30 am in Animal Kingdom.

During this 3-hour program, students will participate in an interactive survival game. They will study animal survival behaviors, collect and analyze data, adaptations, ecosystems, and conservation. Find out more about this program here. [Note: This program will be available for older children on the same date/time. See Older Children section below. Please register for the program that serves your child's grade level. Separating the age groups will enhance the experience for all children involved.]

Disney's World of Physics: Energy and Waves I (Grades 3-5)

Monday, September 27, at 11:30 am in Magic Kingdom.

In this 3-hour program, students explore the physics concepts of light, sound, and magnetism. They'll study electromagnetism and projection, and how physics can be used to create special effects. Find out more about this program here. [Note: This program will be available for older children on the same date/time. See Older Children section below. Please register for the program that serves your child's grade level. Separating the age groups will enhance the experience for all children involved.]

Older Children

Disney's World of Physics: Energy and Waves II (Grades 6-8)

Monday, September 27, at 11:30 am in Magic Kingdom.

In this 3-hour program, students explore the physics concepts of light, sound, and magnetism. They'll study electromagnetism and projection, and how physics can be used to create special effects. Find out more about this program here.

Disney's Wild by Nature II (Grades 6-8)

Tuesday, September 28, at 8:30 am in Animal Kingdom.

During this 3-hour program, students will participate in an interactive survival game. They will study animal survival behaviors, collect and analyze data, adaptations, ecosystems, and conservation. Find out more about this program here.

Everyday Chemistry (Grades 4-9)

Tuesday, September 28, at 8:45 am in Epcot.

In this 3-hour program, students will learn how Chemistry is all around us. Through a variety of experiments and discussions, they'll learn about elements, photosynthesis, fossil fuels, polymers, plastic, solar energy, and transportation. Find out more about this program here.

Disney's Production Arts & Sciences (Grades 6-10)
Tuesday, September 28, at 12:30 pm in Disney's Hollywood Studios

Students in this 3-hour program will discover the basic elements and teamwork behind the art and science of filmmaking as they explore some of the tricks of the trade behind "movie magic." Students will model a mock photo shoot, learn about careers and skills involved in the production industry, and discover the basic shot classifications and production techniques utilized in still and motion pictures.  Find out more about this program here.

Dynamics of Technology (Grades 6-12)

Monday, September 27, at 7:45 am in Epcot.
Students in this 3-hour program will immerse themselves in the world of technological advancement - whether it's the race to space, the rush to safety, or the push for new tools. During this program, students enjoy an exclusive, pre-Park opening experience at Mission: SPACE® to gain a unique perspective on the complex factors that took man to the moon and beyond. They also discover drivers of the transportation safety movement at Test Track®, and study the theoretical underpinnings of today's technologies. Find out more about this program here.
 

Showbiz Magic at La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil (Grades 6-12, and college)

Thursday, September 30, at 8:00 am at Cirque du Soleil in Downtown Disney.

Students in this 2-hour program will explore inside the Cirque du Soleil theater and learn the skills, knowledge, and diversity that go into each performance. They'll also visit backstage areas of the theater to learn about the people and training behind the show. Find out more about this program here.

(Note: Students must attend a La Nouba performance before they can participate in this program. Our discounted price for the show is $48 per person (children under 3 attend free), and we must attend as a group. I plan to reserve the Wednesday, September 29th, 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm shows. The educational program will not be immediately after the show - it will be held on Thursday morning. Please don't register your student for this program if you're not able to attend the show.)

Disney's Captivating Moments: Images with Impact (Grades 7-12)
Thursday, September 30, at 8:45 am in Epcot.

In this 3-hour program, students will explore photography, study the technical and creative elements that result in images with impact, develop creative captions, and create stories with their photographs. This program is new and was developed in conjunction with Jostens®. Find out more about this program here.

High School and College

Making Waves with a Marine Career (Grades 9-12, and college)

Monday, September 27, at 8:30 am in Epcot.

This 3-hour behind-the-scenes program will increase students' knowledge of careers in Marine Science and highlight the skills needed for these careers. Students will learn about dolphin training, marine research, the chemistry involved in marine life management, the role of aquarists and marine veterinarians, and marine conservation. The students and chaperones who attended this program last year had very positive opinions of it. It's a very interesting, behind-the-scenes look at Epcot's Living Seas. Find out more about this program here.

Keepers of the Kingdom (Grades 10-12, and college)

Tuesday, September 28, at 8:30 am in Animal Kingdom.

This 3-hour program will inspire students to protect and preserve wildlife and wild places. Students will get an insider's look at Animal Kingdom's animal care and conservation efforts. They'll learn more about zoos and zoo science, endangered species, animal nutrition, and careers in the field. The students and chaperones who attended this program last year had very positive opinions of it. It's a very interesting, behind-the-scenes look at the animals in Animal Kingdom - how they're cared for, their behavior, their habitats, and the reasons behind how things are done at the Kingdom. Find out more about this program here.

Disney’s Leadership Excellence: The Inside Track (Grades 9-12, and college)

Thursday, September 30, at 12:45 pm in Epcot.

Students in this 3-hour program will learn about how communication and training impact leadership and entrepreneurial skills. They'll get an inside look at the role of service and quality standards within the Walt Disney World Resort, and will have an opportunity to discuss leadership with a Walt Disney World leader. Find out more about this program here.

You'll enroll your students in their chosen educational programs later. In the meantime, keeping reading for our registration form.

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