Earth+Day+Explorers

STUDENTS OFTEN ASSUME that explorers exist only in history books. In fact, active exploration is still happening every day as scientists strive to answer big questions about our planet. Thanks to technology, many projects offer students a bird’s-eye view of explorers working under extreme conditions.

GoNorth is a live dogsledding adventure and online education experience that offers a close-up look at an ongoing investigation of the Arctic regions and the people of the extreme North. The current research trek in Greenland continues through May 2010 (and past trips are archived on the site). Free online resources (www.polarhusky.com) include live chats with the exhibition team, plus videos, audio reports, and other curriculum materials.

The Plastiki, a 60-foot catamaran made of 12,000 reclaimed plastic bottles, set sail from San Francisco in late March, bound for Sydney, Australia. British eco-adventurer David de Rothschild is leading the six-person crew whose goal is to raise awareness about climate change. Students can follow via Twitter, a blog, and a companion National Geographic Web site as The Plastiki crew explores the Eastern Pacific Garbage Patch and other environmental hot spots. (See Related Resources for links.)

Imagine offering your students the chance to interview a tornado researcher or space-weather meteorologist. Through the JASON Project, such expert scientists share research highlights and breaking science news in live conversations with students. Founded by oceanographer Robert Ballard and now part of National Geographic, the JASON Project (www.jason.org) also offers interactive science experiences appropriate for middle school. (Online resources are free, but you have to pay for print materials and professional development.)

Learning about Earth explorers may motivate students to launch their own scientific investigations. National Lab Day (www.nationallabday), a new initiative, connects students and teachers with scientific and technical experts.