Disney Youth Programs: Applied Sciences & Environmental Studies

We are back this beautiful Monday morning, continuing a series on Disney Youth Program offerings. This week we’ll focus on the Youth Education Series Applied Science & Environmental Studies. Classes are designed for elementary, middle grade, and high school students, and, like the Liberal Arts and Leadership Development courses we looked at last week, last 2-3 hours each. Workshops can accommodate 15 students at Disneyland Resort and 10 at Walt Disney World Resort, plus chaperones. Many classes begin before the parks open and take participants into backstage areas for a glimpse of attractions and activities that they would not otherwise experience.

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Applied Science & Environmental Studies
The Applied Science & Environmental Studies offerings include field studies, presentations, workshops, seminars, and learning tours that explore the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort theme parks and facilities.

• Energy and Waves Physics Lab 101, 201 & 301, Grades 3-12, Disneyland Resort: This physics lesson explores the use of sound and light, while it also teaches how magnetism is used on a truly “Screamin’” rollercoaster. Students see how energy of light and sound come together to create amazing Disney magic.
• Properties of Motion Physics Lab, Grades 3-12, Disneyland Resort: Students get an inside look at Disney California Adventure Park and learn how things like kinetic energy and speed are used to create mind-blowing attractions.
• Discovering Marine Life Conservation, Grades 3-7, Walt Disney World Resort: As future environmental leaders, students learn about conservation challenges affecting marine habitats and marine life at The Seas with Nemo & Friends.
• Energy and Waves Physics Lab 101, 201 & 301, Grades 3-12, Walt Disney World Resort: Students experience the Magic Kingdom and study select attractions to showcase the physics concepts of optics and acoustics and their application in a real-world context.
• The Evolution of Technology, Grades 6-12, Walt Disney World Resort: Students experience simulated space travel at Mission: SPACE at Epcot and gain a unique perspective on the factors that took man to the moon and beyond.
• Everyday Chemistry 101 & 201, Grades 4-9, Walt Disney World Resort: In this program, developed in conjunction with the Education Division of the American Chemical Society, students learn the practical application of chemistry through hands-on experiments and theme park attractions.
• Experiencing Synergy in Science, Grades K-3, Walt Disney World Resort: Investigate the synergy at work in Epcot attractions, where creativity and technology merge to create world-class entertainment. Then learn to recognize synergy among the tools and systems that help us in our daily life.
• How Things Move, Grades K-2, Walt Disney World Resort: Students discover how the physical sciences help power favorite Theme Park attractions.
• Principles of Animal Behavior, Grades 2-7, Walt Disney World Resort: Through data collection, animal observations, select attractions, and hands-on activities, students learn how African wildlife utilize their natural adaptations to help them survive.
• Properties of Motion Physics Lab 101, 201 & 301, Grades 3-12, Walt Disney World Resort: This interactive program casts students into the role of Magic Kingdom scientists, as they enjoy hands-on examinations and activities of the basic properties of force, motion, and gravity in select attractions.
• The Science of Disney Imagineering: Gravity, Grades 6-12, Walt Disney World Resort: Students discover how Walt Disney Imagineers use powers of science to develop world-famous theme parks and attractions.
• Sustainable Practices in Wildlife Conservation, Grades 6-12, Walt Disney World Resort: Students travel throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and experience select attractions to discover how diverse people and animals respond to conservation challenges in the ever-changing world in which we live.

These programs take place onsite at and in Disneyland and Walt Disney World parks. They help you expand your home classroom literally, because the parks and attractions ARE your classroom! While pricing is a bit expensive, taking part in the Disney Youth Programs is well worth every penny spent, because these unique offerings are not only challenging but are also fully accredited and taught by experienced educators and instructors who, like you, love to learn while they play!

Today’s Takeaway:
Sample the Walt Disney World version of Energy and Waves Physics Lab course by studying the properties and effects of light. This course includes a behind-the-scenes peek at the ballroom scene in the Haunted Mansion attraction. You know the one! It’s where in one half of the room ghosts are celebrating a birthday while party-goers twirl to a waltz on the other side. It’s my favorite scene in the whole ride, because it is so hauntingly beautiful. I am not allowed to describe to you what we viewed backstage, but for me it was the highlight of the Disney Youth Programs showcase!

So how is this effect produced? With a magical technique called Pepper’s Ghost. Check out the tutorial below to create your own eerie illusion and impress your friends—or totally freak them out!

SCHOOL SUBJECT: History
SKILL LEVEL: Middle Grades, High School

NOTE: This post is part of the 31 Days for Writers challenge. We will have daily content throughout the month of October, including weekends, that keeps with our theme of learning while you play with the magic of Walt Disney entertainment. We’ll also include SeaWorld and Universal activities, as well as some helpful reader resources. To keep up with all our posts, click here. To see who else is participating, visit Write 31 Days.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend a showcase of Disney Youth Program offerings at Walt Disney World free of charge in exchange for sharing what I learned while there. All opinions are my own. I was truly impressed with the caliber of education crammed into such a short amount of time and cannot wait for my own children to experience these courses!

©2014 Magical Mouse Schoolhouse, your Disney homeschool resource! Disney Youth Programs details provided by Walt Disney World Resort.