Each year, EA School Tours organises bespoke STEM trips for schools across the world to Orlando, Florida.
Orlando is one of our favourite destinations to send school groups. There is a rich range of STEM-related camps, programs and workshops for school groups to enjoy, such as Kennedy Space Camp, I-Fly physics workshops and Universal Orlando.
Universal Orlando offers schools a range of fun and insightful activities designed to give students a once in a lifetime learning experience. At Universal Orlando, students will have the chance to earn how science and technology principles they are learning in at school are used to design and build the park's rides and attractions.
Universal Orlando is the perfect addition to an educational school trip itinerary. Here’s what to expect when you visit Universal Orlando on a trip with EA School Tours.
STEAM App Series
Universal's STEAM App Series is designed to give students real-world learning experiences in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
STEAM App is made up of several software programs. All contain a set series of tasks which students complete on tablets. Each program is designed with a different set of learning outcomes. Depending on the program, they’ll have the opportunity to make scientific observations, calculate speeds and vectors, and even build an entire ride motion profile.
Universal’s STEAM App series is a leading example of real-world learning and applying classroom theories to real-life situations. For example, all the programs are based on one of Universal's rides or attractions such as Transformers, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and Jurassic Park.
Behind the Adventure Tour
The Behind the Adventure Tour takes place on Universal’s Island of Adventure. On the tour, students will get to skip the queue and ride some of the island’s top attractions such as the Spider-Man, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park and King Kong-themed rides. Afterwards, students will be taken behind the scene to learn how each attraction is designed and operated.
This tour not only makes students feel like VIPs by getting to skip the queues but it’s also a great way to show them how the concepts they are learning at school are applied in a real-world situation. They will be showed how principles of physics, technology and science contribute to the design and building of the island’s rides and attractions in a fun and entertaining way.
Harry Potter World
With nearly 32,000 5-star reviews on Trip Advisor, one experience on offer at Universal Orlando not to be missed is Harry Potter World. Harry Potter World spans across the two parks at Universal Orlando, Universal Studios and Island of Adventures. To travel between the two, you can jump on the Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross Station at Universal Studios and travel to Hogsmeade Station located on the Island of Adventure. A magical experience for students and teachers alike.
The time and effort Universal have put into crafting Harry Potter World is second to none. Every small detail that is accounted for such as secret passages and hidden writing on the walls. Testaments to the original novels and movies. Students will relish the opportunity to feel part of the story they grew up reading. From selecting their own wand from Olivanders to exploring the corridors of Hogwarts and sipping on a glass of cold Butter Beer at the Leaky Cauldron, this is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Blue Man Group
No trip to Universal Orlando is complete without attending a Blue Man Group show. The Blue Man Group is a world renown ninety-minute variety stage show at Universal Orlando. The show combines elements of music, nonverbal percussive, special effects, lights, and comedy, as well as audience participation, in a spectacular and unique way. Since being acquired Cirque du Soleil in 2017, the show has become an international sensation with performances now also offered in Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, Tokyo, Singapore and Berlin.
While the show itself is extremely entertaining, the aim of the performance is to demonstrate and explore how humans express and communicate, which they manage to convey without words or dialogue. This underlying theme adds to the richness of the audience's experience. The most recognizable element to the show is the Blue Man character and the way the cast, crew and audience are encouraged to participate with the Blue Mans’ non-verbal cues.
This is one of the best experiences on offer at Universal Orlando and is not to be missed.
Volcano Bay
Volcano Bay is Universal Orlando's water theme park which is decoratively designed and inspired by Polynesian islands and cultures.
Universal created their own story narrative to enrich the experience for visitors to the water park. Volcano Bay's rides and attractions are based on the fictional story of the Waturi people. According to Universal, the Waturi people crisscrossed the Pacific Ocean in search of a mythical golden fish, Kunuku, who would lead them to a new home. In search of Kunuku, the Waturi people sailed to Tahiti, Hawaii, Bali, and New Zealand embracing the cultures they encountered along the way. One day, they spotted the fish and followed him to Volcano Bay.
Volcano Bay has four themed zones and 18 rides on offer. Throughout Volcano Bay, you’ll discover a vibrant blend of Polynesian cultures and architecture from across the South Pacific. The centrepiece of the park is "Krakatau", a 200-foot-tall volcano that will have waterfalls during the day and lava flows at night.
The park opened in 2017 and cost approximately $600 million to build making it the most expensive theme park in America of its kind. Volcano Bay doesn’t have an educational workshop component, but it is a wonderful activity to include in your school trip itinerary. A day at Volcano Bay will give your students the chance to recharge and have fun in between workshops and travel.
If you’re interested in learning how you can add a trip to Universal Orlando on your next school trip, please get in touch with our team.
