Upcoming Events
Upcoming Science Safaris
YSI has added 3 FREE Science Safaris at our Vasona location! We will be hosting one free event per month. Our science safaris are educational programs that not only bring you and your family into nature, but we will also teach you facts about your surroundings that you may not have known! The 3 chosen topics for these FREE events include Arthropods, Creek Exploration, and Physics! YSI's guided Science Safaris will be led completely outdoors by a YSI staff member. YSI's Science Safari programs are designed for families, so please register each attending member. A registered adult must accompany their child(ren) for these events. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding! You will receive an email the day before your event with all the needed information, including a map of the park, directions, and parking information. Below are the dates of each event.
YSI has incorporated guidelines that follow all County and State protocols. YSI requires every registrant ages 2 and over to wear a face mask while practicing social distancing. This information can be found in the registration form. We appreciate your cooperation in helping YSI keep you safe and healthy while enjoying the beauty of nature. For more information, please email programs@ysi-ca.org or call 408-356-4945 ex 11. We look forward to seeing you in person!
May 30: Join YSI to learn about arthropods! What makes an insect an insect? Are all insects dangerous? Find out with us as we explore all the avenues of the arthropod world! Take a brief walk to see what we can find around YSI, meet some of YSI's live creatures, and more! Register here.
June 25: Join YSI and learn about physics! We will discuss sound and motion during this event, and do many experiments together. Make and launch paper rockets, create fun paper airplanes, and make music out of things you didn't think you could! Register here.
YSI has added 3 FREE Science Safaris at our Vasona location! We will be hosting one free event per month. Our science safaris are educational programs that not only bring you and your family into nature, but we will also teach you facts about your surroundings that you may not have known! The 3 chosen topics for these FREE events include Arthropods, Creek Exploration, and Physics! YSI's guided Science Safaris will be led completely outdoors by a YSI staff member. YSI's Science Safari programs are designed for families, so please register each attending member. A registered adult must accompany their child(ren) for these events. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding! You will receive an email the day before your event with all the needed information, including a map of the park, directions, and parking information. Below are the dates of each event.
YSI has incorporated guidelines that follow all County and State protocols. YSI requires every registrant ages 2 and over to wear a face mask while practicing social distancing. This information can be found in the registration form. We appreciate your cooperation in helping YSI keep you safe and healthy while enjoying the beauty of nature. For more information, please email programs@ysi-ca.org or call 408-356-4945 ex 11. We look forward to seeing you in person!
May 30: Join YSI to learn about arthropods! What makes an insect an insect? Are all insects dangerous? Find out with us as we explore all the avenues of the arthropod world! Take a brief walk to see what we can find around YSI, meet some of YSI's live creatures, and more! Register here.
June 25: Join YSI and learn about physics! We will discuss sound and motion during this event, and do many experiments together. Make and launch paper rockets, create fun paper airplanes, and make music out of things you didn't think you could! Register here.
Upcoming Science Saturdays
YSI is excited to announce the continuing our program, Science Saturdays! Each week, we will cover a different topic that will allow hands-on learning in a safe environment, crafts, activities, and a nature walk! Details below:
Event: Science Saturdays
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Location: Alum Rock Park 16260 Penitencia Creek Road
San Jose CA 95127.
Available Programs:
4/23 Antsy Arthropods: Are you interested to know more about insects? Did you know ALL spiders are venomous except Orb Weavers? What does Arthropod mean? Join YSI for a fun-filled day in learning All About Arthropods! Learn about the difference between an insect, arachnid, crustacean, and more! Enjoy a craft or two, plus meet some live arthropods along the way. This event is outdoors only, so come prepared in nice warm clothes and sturdy shoes. Register here.
4/30 Bioblitz at Alum Rock Park: Join YSI for a fun and exciting Bioblitz! First, we will talk a bit about what a Bioblitz is and why it's so important. Then we will do a quick test run on iNaturalist to get everyone up to speed before trekking off for a fun adventure! We will discuss each finding, and why it's so important to the ecosystem. We will talk about habitat, flora and fauna, adaptations, and more!Each participant will also have a logbook to take notes and draw sketches of interesting things we've seen to use for our craft time. At the end of the day, you will leave YSI with a better knowledge of how to use iNaturalist so you can do more Bioblitz events in the future, even create your own! Register here.
5/7 Animal Habitats and Biomes of Alum Rock Park: Join YSI in learning about the different habitats and biomes in Alum Rock Park! We will take a fun nature walk to look for different places animals and organisms call home, plus make a bird feeder for everyone to take home! Register here.
Scholarships are available for children attending a Title I school. Please choose one Saturday for your child(ren) to attend.
YSI is following all county and state guidelines for outdoor events. This includes but is not limited to:
Required Face Masks
Social Distancing
Personal Kits for Crafts
No shared Items
Frequent Disinfecting/Sanitizing
To register for these events, please contact programs@ysi-ca.org or call 408-356-4945 x 12. If you would like to contribute to YSI so we may continue to provide these programs, please click here to be taken to our donation page on our website.
We are proud to provide these wonderful and educational programs to our surrounding underserved community. We hope you all have a wonderful day, and stay safe!
Event: Science Saturdays
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Location: Alum Rock Park 16260 Penitencia Creek Road
San Jose CA 95127.
Available Programs:
4/23 Antsy Arthropods: Are you interested to know more about insects? Did you know ALL spiders are venomous except Orb Weavers? What does Arthropod mean? Join YSI for a fun-filled day in learning All About Arthropods! Learn about the difference between an insect, arachnid, crustacean, and more! Enjoy a craft or two, plus meet some live arthropods along the way. This event is outdoors only, so come prepared in nice warm clothes and sturdy shoes. Register here.
4/30 Bioblitz at Alum Rock Park: Join YSI for a fun and exciting Bioblitz! First, we will talk a bit about what a Bioblitz is and why it's so important. Then we will do a quick test run on iNaturalist to get everyone up to speed before trekking off for a fun adventure! We will discuss each finding, and why it's so important to the ecosystem. We will talk about habitat, flora and fauna, adaptations, and more!Each participant will also have a logbook to take notes and draw sketches of interesting things we've seen to use for our craft time. At the end of the day, you will leave YSI with a better knowledge of how to use iNaturalist so you can do more Bioblitz events in the future, even create your own! Register here.
5/7 Animal Habitats and Biomes of Alum Rock Park: Join YSI in learning about the different habitats and biomes in Alum Rock Park! We will take a fun nature walk to look for different places animals and organisms call home, plus make a bird feeder for everyone to take home! Register here.
Scholarships are available for children attending a Title I school. Please choose one Saturday for your child(ren) to attend.
YSI is following all county and state guidelines for outdoor events. This includes but is not limited to:
Required Face Masks
Social Distancing
Personal Kits for Crafts
No shared Items
Frequent Disinfecting/Sanitizing
To register for these events, please contact programs@ysi-ca.org or call 408-356-4945 x 12. If you would like to contribute to YSI so we may continue to provide these programs, please click here to be taken to our donation page on our website.
We are proud to provide these wonderful and educational programs to our surrounding underserved community. We hope you all have a wonderful day, and stay safe!
Alum Rock Park's 150th Anniversary Celebration
Alum Rock Park's 150th Anniversary Celebration
YSI would like to invite you to join us for upcoming FREE events at the beautiful Alum Rock Park! YSI is proudly partnering with San Jose Parks and Recreation in collaboration with Alum Rock Park's 150th Anniversary!
April 30- Owl Night Hike: Join YSI for a walk in the evening (before sundown). Before the walk, a YSI instructor will offer interpretive info about our owl ambassadors. This event is 60 minutes. Register here.
May 14- Animal Meet and Greet: Meet a couple of YSI's Animal Ambassadors and learn about their adaptations. This event is 45 minutes. Register here.
May 28- History of Alum Rock Park: View old photos, articles, and learn where certain structures used to be in the park! This event is 45 minutes and includes a brief walk past the parking lot. Register here.
June 18- Geology of Alum Rock Park: Take a brief walk to learn about the sulfur springs, fault lines, and rock formations at Alum Rock Park. This event is 30 minutes. Register here.
July 2- Animal Meet and Greet: Meet a couple of YSI animal ambassadors and learn all about their history and adaptations! This event is 30 minutes. Register here.
April 30- Owl Night Hike: Join YSI for a walk in the evening (before sundown). Before the walk, a YSI instructor will offer interpretive info about our owl ambassadors. This event is 60 minutes. Register here.
May 14- Animal Meet and Greet: Meet a couple of YSI's Animal Ambassadors and learn about their adaptations. This event is 45 minutes. Register here.
May 28- History of Alum Rock Park: View old photos, articles, and learn where certain structures used to be in the park! This event is 45 minutes and includes a brief walk past the parking lot. Register here.
June 18- Geology of Alum Rock Park: Take a brief walk to learn about the sulfur springs, fault lines, and rock formations at Alum Rock Park. This event is 30 minutes. Register here.
July 2- Animal Meet and Greet: Meet a couple of YSI animal ambassadors and learn all about their history and adaptations! This event is 30 minutes. Register here.
Explore Vasona
YSI and Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation would like to invite you to our Grand Re-Opening Event of our YSI Nature Center on Saturday, May 28th from 11:00am-1:00pm.
RSVP Here
