Programs Complement the California State Science Standards

Bring your class or group to YSI's Science and Nature Centers
for a hands-on nature based science program.

Can’t come to us?
YSI will bring them to you with
our At-School Program.

See below for more details, or download the School & Group Program Packet here.

Overview
Group Size Pre-K – 2nd grade maximum students = 25/program 3rd – 12th grade maximum students = 35/program* *Creek Exploration, Five Senses Nature Walk, Discovery Nature Walk and Living Physics have a maximum of 25 students for all grades. Groups over 25 must schedule additional programs. YSI will not teach a program where students exceed the YSI maximum enrollment. Registration & Payment Register for all programs as far in advance as possible. A credit card is required to guarantee your program date. Payment is due 30 days from date invoice is sent. There is a $25 fee for any changes or cancellations. There are no refunds for programs cancelled less than 30 days prior to program date. We conduct programs rain or shine. Fees and program content are subject to change without notice. Pricing Information Single price is for one program. Double price is for two consecutive programs on the same day, at the same site, per program. Triple price is for three or more consecutive programs on the same day, at the same site, per program. Title 1 Schools (those schools with 40%+ of students on the free or reduced lunch program) receive an additional $25 discount, up to Triple pricing. At-school Programs may be brought to your classroom. There is a 1.5 hour program minimum and an additional $100 fee per visit for all At-School programs. Programs scheduled for September, December, January, and February may receive a 10% discount. Home school groups receive Double pricing for scheduling four or more programs throughout the year, or Triple pricing for scheduling eight or more programs throughout the year. Programs Information May Insect Fair Program price is $160 for a half hour tour. Advance registration is required. Weekend Programs are scheduled according to YSI instructor availability. An additional fee will be charged. To schedule a program, call (408) 356-4945, x 12
Programs
Description		Location	Level	Duration	Fee (in $)
					Single	Double	Triple
For more about Wildlife, YSI Recommends...	Animals and Their Adaptations Observe live animals and a variety of objects that illustrate structure, function and adaptation. Students have an opportunity to touch animals and examine specimens. YSI will present an overview using animals from different groups.	Alum Rock Sanborn Vasona Redwood Grove At-school	Pre-K	.5 hours	150	125	100
			K-8th Gr.	1 hour	200	175	150
			Redwood Grove fee		100
For more about Water, YSI Recommends...	Life in a Pond Discover different components of pond life. Observe live aquatic animals that live in the YSI Nature Center. This program emphasizes aquatic adaptations, food chains, habitats and metamorphosis.	Alum Rock Sanborn Vasona Redwood Grove At-school	Pre-K	.5 hours	150	125	100
			K-6th Gr.	1 hour	200	175	150
			Redwood Grove fee		100
For more about Insects, YSI Recommends...	Insects, Spiders and Other Arthropods Compare major arthropod groups using live animals and preserved specimens. An emphasis is placed on insect metamorphosis.	Alum Rock Sanborn Vasona Redwood Grove At-school	Pre-K	.5 hours	150	125	100
			K-6th Gr.	1 hour	200	175	150
			Redwood Grove fee		100
	Insect Fair – Special programs for one week only in May See, touch, and learn about Insects, Spiders, and other Arthropods from around the world in a special interactive exhibit held the week preceding our Saturday Community Insect Fair. YSI adds many special insects to its collection for this one week only. Instructors at each station will help students discover and explore.	Sanborn	Pre-K – 8th grade	.5 hours	160
For more about Botany, YSI Recommends...	Roots, Shoots, Seeds and Leaves Students become junior botanists as they rotate through hands-on learning stations and examine the basic structure, function and biological significance of plants.	Alum Rock Vasona Redwood Grove At-school	1st-6th Gr.	2 hours	275	250	225
For more about Science, YSI Recommends...	California ‘Official’ Everything Learn about California’s official animals, plants and symbols and discover what makes our state unique. Students examine specimens and participate in a variety of activities.	Alum Rock Vasona Redwood Grove At-school	2nd-6th Gr.	1 hour	200	175	150
For more about Native Americans, YSI Recommends...	Ohlone Indians Participate in an in-depth investigation of Native American relationships with the environment. Pound acorns, make rope, play Indian games and search the forest for sources of food and medicine. Small group instruction with long format.	Short Format: Alum Rock Redwood Grove At-school Long Format: Alum Rock Sanborn Redwood Grove	3rd-6th Gr.
			Short Format	1.5 hours	225	200	175
			YSI instructor and parent helpers lead stations, no hike.
			Long Format	3 hours	475	450	400
			YSI instructors lead small group stations and hike.
For more about Mechanics, YSI Recommends...	Living Physics Students participate in a variety of lively activities and experiments that investigate the relationship of matter and energy. Experiments adapted to the age group and state standards may include the topics of light, sound, electricity, magnetism, force and motion.	Vasona Alum Rock Redwood Grove At-school	2nd-12th Gr.	1.5 hours	225	200	175
			Max. 25 students. Groups over 25 students must schedule additional programs.
For more about Volcanoes, YSI Recommends...	Moving, Exploding Earth Discover the science of earthquakes and volcanoes through interactive activities, including lessons in plate tectonics. Distinguish sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Nature walk and small group instruction included.	Alum Rock Sanborn	2nd-8th Gr.	2 hours	300	275	250
For more about Nutrition, YSI Recommends...	Pioneer Organic Garden Explore the interrelationship of people and nature by using pioneer skills such as planting, grinding wheat seeds, baking crackers and carding wool. Small group instruction. Long program includes pioneer games and hike.	Sanborn	K-2nd Gr.	1.5 hours	275	250	225
			3rd-6th Gr.	3 hours	475	450	400
For more about Dinosaurs, YSI Recommends...	Dinosaurs and Fossil Fun Find clues hidden in fossils, while learning about dinosaurs and other prehistoric life. Discover what it's like to be a paleontologist and make a fossil model to take home.	Vasona	Pre-K-3rd Gr.	1 hour	200	175	150
For more about Aeronautics, YSI Recommends...	Winging It Learn bird biology, flight dynamics, ecology and identification methods. Program includes hands-on activities and a walk through the park to identify a variety of birds. Students use binoculars and bird guides.	Alum Rock Vasona	2nd-12th Gr.	1.5 hours	225	200	175
For more about Water, YSI Recommends...	Creek Exploration Explore a creek habitat and use nets to examine the diverse community of aquatic plants and animals. To emphasize habitat awareness, creek activities are conducted alongside rather than in the creek.	Alum Rock Sanborn Vasona	1st-12th Gr.	1.5 hours	225	200	175
			Max. 25 students. Groups over 25 students must schedule additional programs.
For more about Biology, YSI Recommends...	Five Senses Nature Walk Explore nature with all five senses. Identify native plants and animals. See, touch, taste, hear and smell various natural wonders.	Alum Rock Sanborn Vasona Redwood Grove	Pre-K	.5 hours	150	125	100
			K-2nd Gr.	1 hour	200	175	150
			Max. 25 students. Groups over 25 students must schedule additional programs.
For more about Hiking, YSI Recommends...	Discovery Nature Walk Explore the outdoors and learn general concepts of ecology, botany, geology and biology. Students may also discover unique uses of plants and look for special “animal signs."	Alum Rock Sanborn Vasona Redwood Grove	3rd-12th Gr.	1 hour	200	175	150
			Max. 25 students. Groups over 25 students must schedule additional programs.
	Physics of Flight Motion and forces are the take-off point for this study of winged things. Examine a live bird of prey and discuss the forces of flight. Make and test a flyer to take home.	Alum Rock At-school	6th-12th Gr.	1 hour	250	225	200