Discovering STEM in London

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: London

Arrive in England's bustling capital city, meet your ACIS Tour Manager and begin to explore this historic city. Your STEM immersion kicks off with a visit to London's renowned Science Museum, considered one of the finest science and technology museums in Europe. With more than 15,000 objects on display, the museum features iconic items such as the Apollo 10 command module and brings to life amazing stories of scientific and technological achievements.

Day 3: London

This morning, learn about London's majestic past and fast-paced present on your guided sightseeing tour. See Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. Along the way, our guide will point out more landmark sites like the Gherkin, the Shard, and the Cheese Grater—all new buildings whose engineering feats are changing the London skyline. Another highlight of the day is a tour inside St. Paul's Cathedral. Sir Christopher Wren's architectural masterpiece is an enduring symbol of London, the seat of the Church of England and famed for its dome and Whispering Gallery. If you have time, your ticket includes access to climb to the top of the dome. You afternoon is free to perhaps explore the free Wellcome Collection, which seeks to connect science and medicine with life and art and features exhibits ranging from a Peruvian mummy to a robot used in the human genome project Or you may choose an optional backstage tour of a working London theatre. Depending on the theatre available, the focus of your tour may be on the building architecture or on sound, lighting and set technology. After dinner, you may also choose to add tickets to a West End theatre performance tonight.

Day 4: London

Travel today to the Thames Barrier, one of the world's largest movable flood barriers. During your guided tour, discuss the evolving impact of climate change and rising sea levels as you learn about the engineering that went into the barrier's construction, how it works, the risk of flooding in London and the ecosystem of the Thames.Then drive to history-rich Greenwich, a London borough downriver on the banks of the Thames. Here you'll visit the Greenwich Royal Observatory, commissioned in the 1600s by King Charles II, and learn about Greenwich Mean Time as you stand on the Prime Meridian, the global pole-to-pole longitudinal zero point that separates the eastern and western hemispheres. You'll also explore your place in the universe during a show at the observatory's planetarium, where an astronomer will give a special lecture. Return to London via the Tube.

Day 5: London

Today is full of thrills during a full-day excursion to Thorpe Park with a pass included for all rides. Every hair-raising turn and exhilarating drop becomes even more meaningful as you participate in a workshop on the science of roller coasters. Discuss key principles in math and physics as you explore the engineering and design factors that go into maximizing both the safety and entertainment of these rides. Return to London this evening.

Day 6: London

This morning visit the cutting-edge Design Museum in London's Kensington neighborhood for a deep look at contemporary industrial, architectural, fashion, graphic and product design through its award-winning exhibits. Participate in a hands-on digital technology workshop that allows you to explore the role of digital technology in design and actively use software to create a design response to a sample user brief. In the afternoon discover the Faraday Museum inside the Royal Institution, where electromagnetism pioneer Michael Faraday's actual mid-1800s laboratory is on display.

Day 7: London

This morning visit Centre of the Cell. This unique educational center is actually suspended over the working laboratories at the Blizard Institute—the first science education center in the world to be located within working biomedical research laboratories. This gives students the opportunity to see researchers at work and what goes on inside a real research institute as they participate in a careers in science and health workshop. Students will move through different stations as they explore the wide range of career possibilities in science and health and how different skills and interests that would align with different options. In the afternoon marvel at the amazing views (up to 40 miles on a clear day!) from the panoramic viewing platform at the jagged glass tower known as “The Shard”, the tallest building in western Europe. During your visit, a guide will educate you about the cutting-edge design and engineering that went into constructing this 1,004-foot-tall, 95-story skyscraper.

Day 8: London

Today visit the ZSL London Zoo in Regent's Park, the world's oldest scientific zoo and home to one of the UK's largest collections of species. While there you'll participate in a zoological conservation workshop, learning first-hand about the different roles staff play at the zoo and the programs zoos engage in to promote the conservation of endangered species—such as captive breeding programs, reintroduction programs, scientific research and educational campaigns. Students will also discuss how the role of zoos is evolving in the 21st century. The rest of your afternoon is free for you to explore more of London's scientific wonders and educational opportunities at your own pace.

Day 9: Departure

Depart for the USA.



Optional Extensions and Extra Nights:

Further immerse yourself in the culture and delights of England's capital with an extra night in London, including the services of your ACIS Tour Manager.