School and Group Programs
Registration is now open for the 2020-2021 school year. Programs scheduled for September, December, January, and February receive a 10% discount!
Coronavirus Protocol at YSI
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Pricing and Registration:
YSI maintains three Science and Nature Centers where we deliver our inquiry-based science programs: Alum Rock Park, San Jose; Sanborn County Park, Saratoga; and Vasona Lake County Park, Los Gatos. Each YSI Science and Nature Center has specialized and unique artifacts, collections, and resources that connect children with nature while teaching science. All YSI programs are aligned to the latest curriculum standards.
If you cannot bring your class/group to us, we can bring our At-School Programs to you (please see below for programs that can be brought to your site). There is a 1½-hour program minimum and a travel fee per visit. Multiple session, same-day bookings are planned with minimal reset breaks between sessions. School-requested extended breaks may result in additional fees.
YSI recommends registering for programs as far in advance as possible to guarantee availability.
The following conditions apply:
• A credit card is required to guarantee your program date.
• Payment is due 30 days from the date invoice is sent.
• There is a $30 fee for any changes once a booking is confirmed.
• There is a $125 fee applied to reservations cancelled within 45 days of program date.
• Day of program no shows are charged full fee.
• We conduct programs rain or shine. Please dress appropriately. Layers are recommended.
• Prices listed as of 2019-20 school year. Fees and program content are subject to change.
Scholarships may be available for Title I eligible schools (40%+) on a first-come, first-served basis.
Questions? Please email us at programs@ysi-ca.org or call (408) 356-4945 ext.12
Group Sizes. (programs are designed to be hands-on)
Pre-K through 2nd-grade programs work best for groups of 25 students or less.
3rd- through 6th-grade programs work best for groups of 35 students or less.
Limited adjustments to group size can be made; please email us at programs@ysi-ca.org or call (408) 356-4945 ext.12
YSI maintains three Science and Nature Centers where we deliver our inquiry-based science programs: Alum Rock Park, San Jose; Sanborn County Park, Saratoga; and Vasona Lake County Park, Los Gatos. Each YSI Science and Nature Center has specialized and unique artifacts, collections, and resources that connect children with nature while teaching science. All YSI programs are aligned to the latest curriculum standards.
If you cannot bring your class/group to us, we can bring our At-School Programs to you (please see below for programs that can be brought to your site). There is a 1½-hour program minimum and a travel fee per visit. Multiple session, same-day bookings are planned with minimal reset breaks between sessions. School-requested extended breaks may result in additional fees.
YSI recommends registering for programs as far in advance as possible to guarantee availability.
The following conditions apply:
• A credit card is required to guarantee your program date.
• Payment is due 30 days from the date invoice is sent.
• There is a $30 fee for any changes once a booking is confirmed.
• There is a $125 fee applied to reservations cancelled within 45 days of program date.
• Day of program no shows are charged full fee.
• We conduct programs rain or shine. Please dress appropriately. Layers are recommended.
• Prices listed as of 2019-20 school year. Fees and program content are subject to change.
Scholarships may be available for Title I eligible schools (40%+) on a first-come, first-served basis.
Questions? Please email us at programs@ysi-ca.org or call (408) 356-4945 ext.12
Group Sizes. (programs are designed to be hands-on)
Pre-K through 2nd-grade programs work best for groups of 25 students or less.
3rd- through 6th-grade programs work best for groups of 35 students or less.
Limited adjustments to group size can be made; please email us at programs@ysi-ca.org or call (408) 356-4945 ext.12
Animals and Their Adaptations. (hands-on with live animals)
Pre-K (½ hour) $165; K - 6 (1 hour) $250
Touch and examine live animals from a variety of taxonomic groups. Learn about diet, habitat, ecological role, structure, and function. Observe and discuss differences among animals.
Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
To register, please complete this form.
Touch and examine live animals from a variety of taxonomic groups. Learn about diet, habitat, ecological role, structure, and function. Observe and discuss differences among animals.
Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
To register, please complete this form.
Insects, Spiders, and Other Arthropods. (hands-on with live animals)
Pre-K (½ hour) $165; K - 4 (1 hour) $250
Learn about arthropod structure, function, and life cycles; emphasis is on insects and differences between arthropod groups.
Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
To register, please complete this form.
Learn about arthropod structure, function, and life cycles; emphasis is on insects and differences between arthropod groups.
Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
To register, please complete this form.
Life in a Pond. (hands-on with live animals)
Pre-K (½ hour) $165; K - 5 (1 hour) $250
What's special about animals that live where it's wet and wild? Learn about aquatic adaptations, food chains, and life cycles. Touch and examine YSI's live aquatic animals.
Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
To register, please complete this form.
What's special about animals that live where it's wet and wild? Learn about aquatic adaptations, food chains, and life cycles. Touch and examine YSI's live aquatic animals.
Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
To register, please complete this form.
All About Owls.
Grades 3 - 5 (1 hour) $275
Observe live owls and learn about the physical adaptations that make them successful nocturnal hunters. Dissect owl pellets and be introduced to skeletal anatomy and the owl's diet. Discuss the nature of food chains and the role of owls in the ecosystem.
Locations: Alum Rock only
To register, please complete this form.
Observe live owls and learn about the physical adaptations that make them successful nocturnal hunters. Dissect owl pellets and be introduced to skeletal anatomy and the owl's diet. Discuss the nature of food chains and the role of owls in the ecosystem.
Locations: Alum Rock only
To register, please complete this form.
Ohlone Indians. (long version includes nature walk)
Grades 3 - 6 (1½ hours) $325; with walk (3 hours) $595
Investigate the Native American relationship with the environment as you pound acorns, make rope, play Ohlone games, and search the forest for food and medicine. Small group instruction.
Long version with walk offered at Alum Rock and Sanborn locations only.
1 ½ hours – Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
3 hours – (Includes nature walk) Locations: Alum Rock and Sanborn
To register, please complete this form.
Investigate the Native American relationship with the environment as you pound acorns, make rope, play Ohlone games, and search the forest for food and medicine. Small group instruction.
Long version with walk offered at Alum Rock and Sanborn locations only.
1 ½ hours – Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
3 hours – (Includes nature walk) Locations: Alum Rock and Sanborn
To register, please complete this form.
Physics of Sound and Motion
Grades 1 - 4 (1½ hours) $275
Learn about the motion of objects through a series of lively, hands-on activities. Investigate sound as it travels through different states of matter. Learn about the physics behind motion; deepen your understanding as you design and test paper airplanes and stomp rockets.
Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
To register, please complete this form.
Learn about the motion of objects through a series of lively, hands-on activities. Investigate sound as it travels through different states of matter. Learn about the physics behind motion; deepen your understanding as you design and test paper airplanes and stomp rockets.
Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
To register, please complete this form.
Physics of Sight and Sound
Grades 2 - 5 (1½ hours) $275
Learn about the structure of the eye and the tricks of the brain. Take a look at how light works through hands-on investigations and experiments for the whole class. Learn about sound waves through a series of lively, hands-on activities. Investigate sound as it travels through different states of matter.
Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
To register, please complete this form.
Learn about the structure of the eye and the tricks of the brain. Take a look at how light works through hands-on investigations and experiments for the whole class. Learn about sound waves through a series of lively, hands-on activities. Investigate sound as it travels through different states of matter.
Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
To register, please complete this form.
Aquatic Habitat Exploration. (hands-on with live animals & nature walk)
Grades 1 - 6 (1½ hours) $275
Grab a net and explore a freshwater habitat. Touch and examine the diverse animals that live there and learn how they adapt to their watery environment.
Locations: Alum Rock and Vasona
To register, please complete this form.
Grab a net and explore a freshwater habitat. Touch and examine the diverse animals that live there and learn how they adapt to their watery environment.
Locations: Alum Rock and Vasona
To register, please complete this form.
Five Senses Nature Walk. (includes nature walk)
Pre-K (½ hour) $165; K - 6 (1 hour) $220
Explore the outdoors and learn general concepts of ecology, botany, and biology. Learn about local plants and animals by seeing, smelling, hearing, touching, and tasting your way down the trail.
Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, and Vasona
To register, please complete this form.
Explore the outdoors and learn general concepts of ecology, botany, and biology. Learn about local plants and animals by seeing, smelling, hearing, touching, and tasting your way down the trail.
Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, and Vasona
To register, please complete this form.
Moving, Exploding Earth. (long version includes geology walk)
Grade 2 (1 hour) $275; with walk (1½ hours) $325
Grades 3 - 6 (1½ hours) $325; with walk (2 hours) $385
Explore Earth's layers, plate tectonics, and the rock cycle. Examine and identify rocks and minerals. Geology walks offered at Alum Rock and Sanborn locations only.
1 hour – Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
1½ hours (Grades 3 - 6) – Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
1½ hours (Grade 2) or 2 hours – (Includes geology walk) Locations: Alum Rock and Sanborn
To register, please complete this form.
Grades 3 - 6 (1½ hours) $325; with walk (2 hours) $385
Explore Earth's layers, plate tectonics, and the rock cycle. Examine and identify rocks and minerals. Geology walks offered at Alum Rock and Sanborn locations only.
1 hour – Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
1½ hours (Grades 3 - 6) – Locations: Alum Rock, Sanborn, Vasona, and at your school
1½ hours (Grade 2) or 2 hours – (Includes geology walk) Locations: Alum Rock and Sanborn
To register, please complete this form.
