West Coast STEM Tour | WorldStrides Educational Travel

UNITED STATES

West Coast STEM Student Tour

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California

6 Days
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
  • Yosemite Valley, CA
  • Golden Gate Bridge
  • Fisherman's Wharf
  • Alcatraz Island
  • Sea Dragon at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • Santa Cruz Wharf
On this thrilling West Coast Science and Technology trip through California, your students' days will be filled with adventure. Enjoy a cable car ride, hike along Yosemite's picturesque trails, embark on a cosmic voyage, and see an 11-pound lobster up close. Your students will learn science and technology in innovative, action-packed ways. This student travel program is designed to incorporate all elements of STEM learning.  Check the itinerary for activities designated with S, T, E, or M, as those have special emphasis on that area of study.

Video Overview

Learn more about our West Coast Science and Technology Travel Programs!

Your adventure, day by day

Day 1 : Welcome to San Francisco!
Arrive in San Francisco

Meet your WorldStrides representative and begin your once-in-a lifetime experience!

Depart for Silicon Valley

Apple Park Visitors Center

This architectural extension of the private campus provides unique views of Apple Park. You'll enjoy a daily tour on all things Apple.

Computer History Museum

Tour this museum that documents the vision behind the computer revolution and its impact on the human experience.

Photo Stop at Googleplex and Android Lawn Statue

Dinner and Hotel Check-in

Day 2 : Explore Yosemite National Park
Breakfast

Yosemite National Park

Spend a day at Yosemite. First protected in 1864, this park is best known for its waterfalls, granite cliffs, clear streams, and giant sequoia groves.

Yosemite Valley Tram Tour

Spend the first half of your day learning about Yosemite and its history. Appreciate the majestic cliffs and scenic waterfalls, but also the rich stories of the wildlife, ecology, and people who have helped shape the national park as we know it.  

Engineering of Climbing

Learn about the tools and techniques skilled climbers use to traverse the Earth's natural landscape before getting to the fun part - climbing in one of the best rock climbing areas in the world!   

Dinner

Return to hotel

Day 3 : Monterey Bay and beyond
Breakfast

Depart for Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Home to more than 623 species of plant and animal life, this interactive museum takes you on a journey through the sea. Explore collections including interactive touch tanks, tropical fish, sea otters, and a jellyfish exhibit that is simply electrifying.    

Lunch

Beach Stop

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Take a guided walk between giants in this peaceful old-growth forest Using all five senses, learn about identifying the age of trees - including one that is over 1,200 years old! Students will bridge connections to park resources and inspire ideas about conservation.   

Dinner

Hotel Check-in

Day 4 : Discover San Francisco's Iconic Sites
Breakfast

Exploratorium

At this world-famous interactive science museum, students will explore the more than 650 hands-on exhibits, which cover topics from the human body to outer space!     

Lunch

Alcatraz Island

Learn about the significance of this historic location during the Civil War, and get familiar with the famed prison's transformation.

Fisherman’s Wharf: Pier 39

Explore the sights and scenes of Pier 39, situated along the San Francisco Bay. Laugh with the sea lions, enjoy performance art and live drama, or take time to watch the beautiful hand-painted carousels.

Dinner

San Francisco Sightseeing

Tour the city with your Course Leader.

Return to hotel

Day 5 : Continuing Exploring San Francisco
Breakfast

California Academy of Science

Explore the many exhibits that fill one of the ten largest natural history museums in the world! Learn about the technological innovations that make the museum one of the most energy efficient buildings in the city.

Golden Gate Park

Lunch

Golden Gate Bridge

Visit the 1.7 mile- long iconic “international orange” landmark, and glimpse the sights of the San Francisco Bay, including infamous Alcatraz Island. Consider the challenges facing the engineers and bridge builders in the early 20th century.

Marine Mammal Center

A scientific research center focusing on the rescue and rehabilitation of seals and sea lions. Learn how they treat the ill, injured or orphaned animals and return the healthy ones back to the wild.

Chinatown

Visit the biggest Chinatown in the U.S..

Dinner

Cable Car Ride

Soak in the sights of the city as you ride one of San Francisco’s historic cable cars. Explore the mechanics, engineering, and history behind this unique transportation and how cable cars managed the steep slopes of the city in an age of horse drawn wagons.

Return to hotel

Day 6 : Bon Voyage!
Breakfast and hotel check-out

Depart San Francisco for home

WorldStrides West Coast STEM Travel Planner

WorldStrides West Coast STEM Travel Planner

Take your students on a scientific adventure to the west coast of California. It’s easy, educational, and rewarding!

Have questions? We have answers.

    Can students earn academic credit from their travel programs?

    Yes! We love when students get credit for learning. This helps them get a step ahead, whether its for a college application or for a future career. All middle programs include the opportunity to earn free high school credit. Our Perspectives programs offer high school students the opportunity to earn three free college preparatory credits. Most of our higher education programs include credit from the academic institution of record. Our online courses make it easy to earn credit at a student's own pace. WorldStrides offers coursework that has been carefully designed to combine the field experience with online assignments that demonstrate achievement of learning objectives. Acceptance of credit is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.  Click here for more information. Or, you can contact our Curriculum & Academics Team at discovery@worldstrides.org

    How do I register for my program/trip?

    For most programs, there are a few easy ways to register:

    • Online: Visit our online portal
    • By Phone: Some programs may be eligible for phone registration. Visit our Contact Us page to find the phone number!
    • By Mail: If you received a trip letter distributed by your program leader, complete the registration form and fax the front and back with your credit card information to the number or address provided in your letter.
    Some WorldStrides programs offer incentives for early registration, so please refer to the information provided to you by your program leader for complete details. When registering, you'll need to use the Trip ID assigned to your program.  Each ID is unique and can also be found on the registration information provided to you by the educator leading this program. *Note: Some groups may have special registration procedures. Please check with your program leader if you cannot find a Trip ID associated with your trip.

    What's included in the cost of a domestic or high school international program?

    Every program is customized and what's included may vary from trip to trip. A typical program includes transportation (air or motor coach), hotel accommodations, meals, a daily guide (Course Leader or Tour Director), sightseeing activities, and immersive educational content. All programs also include all of our safety provisions and support. The registration letter provided by the teacher leading your program has all the inclusion details for your specific program.

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