Highlights and Inclusions:
Day 1: Unveiling Science and Technology in Manhattan
Morning:
Group arrival in the Big Apple. Meet A-Z Travels Tour Director at the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath). MoMath offers interactive exhibits delving into mathematical concepts like geometry and algebra, featuring engaging STEM activities. Choose from activities such as building a dome based on da Vinci’s designs, working in groups to solve challenging 3D puzzles, exploring 3D geometry using museum exhibits, or engaging in a cryptography scavenger hunt!
Afternoon:
Lunch at a nearby restaurant. Venture to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum aboard the historic Intrepid aircraft carrier. Engage in one of two programs aboard the carrier focused on early space missions and aircraft design. Students learn about Mercury-Atlas 7 and Gemini III missions, Intrepid’s role as a recovery vessel, and can explore the Space Shuttle Pavilion and the exhibition “Apollo: When We Went to the Moon”. They also analyze aircraft design and its impact on flight dynamics using the museum’s collection, enhancing their understanding of aerospace history and engineering principles.
Evening:
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and then check into the hotel. Optional evening activity: Attend a captivating STEM-themed show or presentation upon request and availability.
Day 2: Innovating Engineering in Queens
Morning:
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a visit to the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) in Queens, an interactive science and technology center. Engage in workshops and demonstrations focused on engineering principles, including the Design Lab and Science Playground.
Afternoon:
Enjoy lunch at the museum cafeteria or nearby restaurant. Explore the Queens Museum, renowned for its Panorama of the City of New York. Students design urban community models with teaching artists or design suspension bridges in teams. In either activity, they explore sustainability, transportation, and urban planning, comparing urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Evening:
Arrive in Times Square, the dazzling heart of New York City, where neon lights, giant billboards, and the buzz of the crowd create an electrifying spectacle. It’s the ultimate hub of entertainment, culture, and energy—where every corner reveals something extraordinary.
Delight in dinner at a restaurant in bustling Times Square or Broadway, with free time to experience the vibrant energy and iconic sights.
Day 3: Discovering Technology in the Upper West Side
Morning:
Savor breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a journey to the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. Explore the Hayden Planetarium and exhibits on astronomy, cosmology, and planetary science at the Rose Center for Earth and Space.
Afternoon:
Lunch at a museum cafe or nearby restaurant. Journey to the South Street Seaport Museum and experience the harbor ecosystem aboard the Pioneer, the oldest working boat in New York Harbor, launched in 1885. On two-hour sails, students haul on ropes to raise sails, study estuary ecology and water quality, and apply math skills to interpret navigational charts. On three-hour sails, all the activities from the two-hour program are included, plus opportunities to set a trawl net to observe organisms from the harbor bottom and additional intensive sail training. Once concluded, begin your safe journey home.
