STEM DAY at SeaWorld San Diego: Where Learning Comes to Life
SeaWorld San Diego proudly embraces its role in inspiring the next generation. Recognizing the importance of engaging young minds and nurturing their curiosity, the park hosts STEM Day every spring and fall—transforming the entire space into a vibrant, hands-on classroom where learning comes to life. STEM Day at the park is a unique, unforgettable hands-on teaching experience, where students (1st through 12th grade) exchange their traditional classroom setting for a day filled with wonder, exploration and discovery. Students learn about the exciting worlds of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and how their techniques are applicable to marine life and thrilling coasters.
To understand more about STEM Day, I sat down with Ricardo Espino, Education Department Supervisor, and Gabriel Behrends del Conde, Youth Account Executive. I received an inside look at this incredible event from their perspective, and they shared why it’s leaving such a lasting impact on students and educators alike.
Uplifting Education and Students
As the Account Executive for Youth Groups, Gabriel constantly works with schools, teachers, and organizations to create these unique and educational experiences for students. Gabriel’s goal is to ensure these students are inspired and motivated to take these hands-on learning experiences to shape their goals and future.
With this goal in mind and the help of our Education Department, Gabriel brought STEM Day to life at SeaWorld San Diego, hosting the event for the first time last November. Ricardo helped Gabriel bring his vision to life as an Education Department Supervisor, providing STEM Day educators as well as helping create the curriculum and activities. Gabriel and Ricardo worked together to ensure the event was a success and it has been! We hosted our most recent one back in March. This upcoming STEM Day will be the third installment of the event, which both are very excited about.
About STEM Day
During this one-day event, students venture through the park to visit different STEM-based activity stations, meet our expert educators, visit our exhibits, and watch educational presentations. The activity stations allow students to learn STEM practices through different hands-on experiences. For example, the station, How Fast Can You Go?, prompts students to put their speed to the test and compare how fast they are to the ocean’s fastest swimmers.
Students also discover how marine animals glide swiftly through water, uncovering the science behind their streamlined movement. Another engaging activity, Insulation Investigation, offers a closer look at how warm-blooded marine animals maintain their body heat in chilly environments. With these hands-on activities, students become more engaged and intrigued, especially when you can walk to an exhibit and see the animals you were just learning about. Gabriel and Ricardo both hope STEM Day provides the students with an opportunity to learn about these subjects and to spark curiosity.
This learning experience is quite different from other youth experiences. Aside from the students being in a theme park, the worlds of science, technology, engineering, and math are huge contributors to SeaWorld and its attractions and exhibits. From learning velocity using a rollercoaster to understanding why animals move the way they do, the world of education and STEM is at every corner.
Making Lasting Impacts
Gabriel and Ricardo share a goal for this event; they both want these students to walk away with curiosity, wonder, and excitement. Gabriel and Ricardo have seen these reactions in real time and know they are making a difference with these experiences. Gabriel recalled a group of first graders completely engaged in the activity before them, their faces in awe as they were comparing their strengths to the force of a dolphin leaping out of water. Ricardo recalls a group of students eager to engage in various activities and how quickly these students applied the information they had just learned.
All in all, Gabriel and Ricardo were thrilled by the enthusiastic response from the teachers, students, and other educators. They’re hopeful that STEM Day will continue to flourish—building on its legacy of hands-on learning and opening even more doors for curious young minds to explore, discover, and grow.
Our next STEM Day is on Thursday, November 13. If you would like to participate in this unforgettable educational experience, you can find more information at https://seaworld.com/san-diego/group-events/youth-programs/stem-day/.