Editor’s Note: During this period of social distancing, Student Group Tour magazine will continue to provide ideas for planning educational travel. Many attractions and destinations are closed at this time; please contact them directly for updated information.


At Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida, students will dive deeper into subjects like culinary arts, business, marketing and sales, and weather with the use of the resort’s top attractions.  

For more than 25 years, Universal Orlando Resort has hosted some of the world’s most exciting theme parks, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay.

“Universal Orlando Resort is a unique destination where guests are not just entertained — they are a part of the most exhilarating entertainment ever created,” said Teresa Crews, director of youth & trade programs and sales training at Universal Parks & Resorts.

In addition to its thrilling attractions, the resort offers a variety of hands-on and engaging programs for student groups of 20 or more.

The Your Classroom in Motion: STEAM App Series program transforms the resort’s attractions into critical thinking and creative learning opportunities. Students apply the formulas of potential and kinetic energy, carry out the scientific method and become a paleobotanist using the resort’s top experiences.

Credit: Courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort

 Students learn key components of character development, plot development, backstory and other elements of storytelling with the Storytelling: It Starts with a Hero program — created in partnership with Full Sail University.

Earlier this year, the resort added a new workshop to its STARS Performance Program called Sound Design: Music and the Art of Foley. In this program, choir, band and orchestra students sync music to blockbuster movies, create Foley effects for exciting scenes and voice over characters.

“Our programs offer epic and authentic learning environments designed for students to explore academic and professional interests — designed by former classroom teachers, so we know what matters to educators,” Crews said.

For more information go to universalorlandoyouth.com.