STEM school trips to Geneva

Experience the wonder of the world’s largest particle accelerator on a visit to CERN, home to the Large Hadron Collider and the largest particle physics laboratory in existence. Groups will be guided through exhibitions inside the facility by a member or former member of CERN, who can answer any questions your group may have. (Please note that tour operators are unable to book this excursion on your behalf; instead, party leaders should liaise with CERN directly.)

Students can take in the mechanics of this impressive water dam on this fascinating excursion, which is set amid dramatic mountain peaks and stunning lakes. Here, your group will be guided by an expert who will explain how the dam provides hydroelectric power to the surrounding areas, as well as sharing the history of the mountains – including the dinosaur footprints discovered in the region in the late 20th century. (Only available from May–Oct)

Take in the glorious views of Geneva, Lausanne, and even the Swiss Alps from the water on a cruise of Lake Geneva, which offers your group some time to relax and reflect on the region’s stunning landscape, including the city's magnificent villas, monuments, the Palais des Nations, and the Jet d'Eau.

One of Geneva’s most famous landmarks, Jet d’Eau has been a mainstay of the city’s tourist attractions for nearly 150 years. A spectacle that’s visible from land, water and even air, the fountain shoots 500 litres of water per second to a height of 140 metres. But don’t get too close – even a slight change of wind direction can drench your group!

Embark on a voyage to the heart of this salt mountain, as you and your students follow in the footsteps of the miners who sought the ‘white gold’ of the Alps. Your visit begins on the Miners’ Train where you’ll start your descent; from here, your group will explore galleries and halls, ultimately learning about the extraction of salt and its significance in Switzerland’s economy and history.

Overlooking the beautiful La Perle du Lac public park and Lake Geneva, the History of Science Museum showcases a large collection of rare, scientific instruments used between the 17th and 19th centuries. Here, students can explore the evolution of subjects such as astronomy, microscopy, gnomonics, electricity and meteorology. A must-see for science-loving students.

A must-see for students of science, the Swiss Plasma Center is one of the world’s leading fusion research laboratories, focused on replicating the energy that powers the Sun. In this guided tour, groups will be able to understand the operations behind this fascinating center, as it advances their understanding of nuclear fusion as a potential renewable energy source.

Home to one of the world’s largest herbariums, Geneva’s Botanical Gardens comprises more than six million samples, plus 12,000 individual species of plants. A living museum, the gardens were created in 1817 and occupy around 28 hectares of land, offering plenty of space for your students to explore the gardens and their botanical wonders.

At this tour of the United Nations Office, students will be given the unique opportunity to explore the history, structure and current activities of the United Nations, while also gaining an understanding of the role of the Palais des Nations and its surroundings. Listen out for your guides’ mention of other UN-based activities within Geneva – these guides are deeply knowledgeable, and are likewise happy to answer any question your group may have.

School groups can contemplate the humanitarian adventure in this fascinating museum, which presents three contemporary problems: human dignity, family ties and natural risk. During your group’s visit, they’ll be accompanied by 12 witnesses, who welcome visitors and then trace the main thread of the exhibition to remind us that human relations remain at the heart of humanitarian action.

Considered to be one of the world’s leading watchmaking factories, the Patek Philippe Museum gives students the opportunity to admire the extraordinary collection of luxury clocks and watches on display. Here, groups can learn about the intricacies of watchmaking, and discover why Switzerland – especially the Geneva region – is so well known for their high-quality watchmaking skills.

With its subject matter able to be tailored to your learning objectives, this walking tour of Geneva offers students the opportunity to discover more about Geneva, its old town, and its other treasures – in just two hours.

Located just across the border in France, this cable car experience offers groups breathtaking views of the entire Geneva region. Over a 4-minute journey, you'll be taken up 1100 metres to the observation deck – the perfect place for taking photos of the city and surrounding Alps. There are also hiking trails to scenic view points and picnic areas.