School and Group Programs
2020/21 Virtual Programs
Though COVID-19 has caused many changes to the ways we can offer our programs, the YSI staff remain committed to providing science education in any way we can. We have been working hard on pivoting our most popular programs to a virtual, live format. Our distance-learning programs are available for grades K-6. Each grade level has NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) content and teacher resources. Below is a summary of our current, virtual program offerings:
The following conditions apply:
• A credit card is required to guarantee your program date.
• Payment is due 30 days in advance of your program date.
• 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, per program.
• Day of program no shows are charged full fee.
• Prices listed as of 2020-21 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. 11.
Though COVID-19 has caused many changes to the ways we can offer our programs, the YSI staff remain committed to providing science education in any way we can. We have been working hard on pivoting our most popular programs to a virtual, live format. Our distance-learning programs are available for grades K-6. Each grade level has NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) content and teacher resources. Below is a summary of our current, virtual program offerings:
The following conditions apply:
• A credit card is required to guarantee your program date.
• Payment is due 30 days in advance of your program date.
• 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, per program.
• Day of program no shows are charged full fee.
• Prices listed as of 2020-21 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. 11.
Animals and Their Adaptations. (hands-on with live animals)
K - 6 (45 minutes) $250
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: Zoom platform
To register, please email programs@ysi-ca.org.
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: Zoom platform
To register, please email programs@ysi-ca.org.
Insects, Spiders, and Other Arthropods. (hands-on with live animals)
K - 4 (45 minutes) $250
Learn about arthropod structure, function, and life cycles; emphasis is on insects and differences between arthropod groups.
Locations: Zoom platform
To register, please email programs@ysi-ca.org.
Learn about arthropod structure, function, and life cycles; emphasis is on insects and differences between arthropod groups.
Locations: Zoom platform
To register, please email programs@ysi-ca.org.
Life in a Pond. (hands-on with live animals)
K - 5 (45 minutes) $250
What's special about animals that live where it's wet and wild? Learn about aquatic adaptations, food chains, and life cycles. Examine YSI's live aquatic animals.
Locations: Zoom platform
To register, please email programs@ysi-ca.org.
What's special about animals that live where it's wet and wild? Learn about aquatic adaptations, food chains, and life cycles. Examine YSI's live aquatic animals.
Locations: Zoom platform
To register, please email programs@ysi-ca.org.
All About Owls.
Grades 3 - 5 (45 minutes) $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: Zoom platform
To register, please email programs@ysi-ca.org.
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: Zoom platform
To register, please email programs@ysi-ca.org.
2020/21 In-Person Classroom or YSI Nature Center Site Programs
We know you miss our in-person programs at one of our beautiful nature center sites whether it be Alum Rock, Sanborn, or Vasona. We know you miss our YSI staff coming to your school classroom to teach a program. We miss you too! We will offer in-person programs again as soon as county, state, and federal ordinances allow and we may safely do so. Please check back on our website for updates for when we can begin to offer our other popular programs again listed below:
We know you miss our in-person programs at one of our beautiful nature center sites whether it be Alum Rock, Sanborn, or Vasona. We know you miss our YSI staff coming to your school classroom to teach a program. We miss you too! We will offer in-person programs again as soon as county, state, and federal ordinances allow and we may safely do so. Please check back on our website for updates for when we can begin to offer our other popular programs again listed below:
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 email programs@ysi-ca.org.
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 email programs@ysi-ca.org.
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 email programs@ysi-ca.org.
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 email programs@ysi-ca.org.
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 email programs@ysi-ca.org.
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 email programs@ysi-ca.org.
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 email programs@ysi-ca.org.
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 email programs@ysi-ca.org.
Five Senses Nature Walk. (includes nature walk)
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 email programs@ysi-ca.org.
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 email programs@ysi-ca.org.
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 email programs@ysi-ca.org.
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 email programs@ysi-ca.org.
