Disney Imagination Campus Blog

Field trips are often some of the most exciting and memorable days for students during the school year, but what if students could experience the most magical field trip on earth with EPCOT as their classroom for the day?

During “National Go on a Field Trip Month” in October, a group of lucky Florida students got the opportunity to do just that with Disney Imagination Campus! Walt Disney World Resort recently hosted local students from Evans High School in Orlando, Florida during the Technology of Disney Parks workshop, where they learned how Disney Imagineers apply technology and real-world STEM concepts to theme parks and attractions in distinctly Disney ways.

"When students can take what they are learning in the classroom and apply these concepts in the real world, it helps them create meaningful connections and gain a better understanding of why this is important and valuable,” said Kelly Astro, Community Partnership School Director at Evans High School. “By providing these opportunities for students, Walt Disney World allows students to witness first-hand how the skills they are introduced to in the classroom play a role in theme park operations, while also introducing them to the myriad of careers that exist in these areas.”

With EPCOT as their classroom, students engaged with models and prototypes based on Soarin’ Over California and got an up-close look at Audio-Animatronics from the park. The concepts displayed showcased the progression, development and various technologies used to design and operate these popular attractions.

“It was unbelievable to go behind the magic into how it’s actually made,” one student shared, noting how exciting it was see familiar STEM ideas he learned at school come to life during the Disney Imagination Campus experience.

“A field trip to Walt Disney World Resort is not your average field trip – it’s an educational experience unlike any other because it takes place in the living laboratories of our theme parks,” said Charles Thomas, Director of Disney Imagination Campus. “Our goal is for students to see first-hand how science and technology work to create some of their favorite attractions. We hope the local Florida students who participated in the Technology of Disney Parks workshop leave with lasting memories and inspiration as they embark on their future careers.”

Curious to learn more? Check out the Science & Technology workshops at our East Campus in Walt Disney World Resort and our West Campus in Disneyland Resort for a discovery of the real-world application of science, technology, engineering, art, and math at some of our most popular attractions! Sign up for our e-newsletter to stay up to date on all things Disney Imagination Campus and explore all our academic workshops to see how we inspire imagination-powered learning.