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Learn From Our Explorers!
National Geographic Explorers take risks, stretch boundaries, and conduct inquiries to make a positive impact on the world. Through their curiosity, problem solving skills, and expert knowledge they help us better understand our natural world, its people, and its cultures. In this time when we all have to chart the unknown from our homes, we have a chance, perhaps even the responsibility, to be explorers. Successful explorers prepare before an expedition, then reflect on what they learn afterward, and share it with others. This curated collection of resources shows National Geographic Explorers in action observing natural phenomena and collaborating with others to achieve their goals.
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Women in STEM
Whether it’s tracking black bears, exploring the depths of the oceans, or mapping the migration of birds, women can do it all. Around the world women are contributing to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to help increase our understanding of our planet and protect it.
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Plastic Pollution
Plastic is ubiquitous in our everyday lives. Some plastics we can reuse or recycle—and many play important roles in areas like medicine and public safety—but other items, such as straws, are designed for only one use. In fact, more than 40 percent of plastic is used only once before it is thrown away, where it lingers in the environment for a long, long time. It often breaks down into smaller and smaller particles, called microplastics, which can be ingested by both animals and people. Fortunately, there are things we can do to help—like stop using plastic bags, straws, and bottles, recycling when we can, and disposing of waste properly. Use these classroom resources to teach about ocean plastics and check back for more coming later this year!
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The Plastic Problem
Students draw from rich resources to learn about the history of plastic use, why they are so widespread, and why their use has become a social, economic, and geographic problem. They use the “Sea to Source: Ganges” river expedition to learn about ways that people are trying to solve the problems plastic creates. This lesson is part of the Toward a Plastic-Responsible Future unit.
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Exploring with GIS: Following Plastic from Land to Sea
Plastic pollution is a problem, especially in our oceans. National Geographic Explorer Heather Koldewey, along with a team of experts, set off on an expedition to find answers. Through technology, data collection, and mapping on India’s Ganges River, Heather and her team use innovative bottle tags as one method to determine and chart where much of the plastic pollution originates from.
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Plastics, Plastics, Everywhere
Students learn basic background information about the plastics crisis, including what defines plastics, where plastic pollution comes from, and how it gets into the ocean. Working together as part of a publishing team, they synthesize a variety of multimedia resources to create their own Ocean Plastics Movement Model explaining the forces that affect plastics on a global scale. This lesson is part of the Plastics: From Pollution to Solutions unit.
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Learn From Our Explorers!
National Geographic Explorers take risks, stretch boundaries, and conduct inquiries to make a positive impact on the world. Through their curiosity, problem solving skills, and expert knowledge they help us better understand our natural world, its people, and its cultures. In this time when we all have to chart the unknown from our homes, we have a chance, perhaps even the responsibility, to be explorers. Successful explorers prepare before an expedition, then reflect on what they learn afterward, and share it with others. This curated collection of resources shows National Geographic Explorers in action observing natural phenomena and collaborating with others to achieve their goals.
-
Women in STEM
Whether it’s tracking black bears, exploring the depths of the oceans, or mapping the migration of birds, women can do it all. Around the world women are contributing to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to help increase our understanding of our planet and protect it.
-
Plastic Pollution
Plastic is ubiquitous in our everyday lives. Some plastics we can reuse or recycle—and many play important roles in areas like medicine and public safety—but other items, such as straws, are designed for only one use. In fact, more than 40 percent of plastic is used only once before it is thrown away, where it lingers in the environment for a long, long time. It often breaks down into smaller and smaller particles, called microplastics, which can be ingested by both animals and people. Fortunately, there are things we can do to help—like stop using plastic bags, straws, and bottles, recycling when we can, and disposing of waste properly. Use these classroom resources to teach about ocean plastics and check back for more coming later this year!
-
The Plastic Problem
Students draw from rich resources to learn about the history of plastic use, why they are so widespread, and why their use has become a social, economic, and geographic problem. They use the “Sea to Source: Ganges” river expedition to learn about ways that people are trying to solve the problems plastic creates. This lesson is part of the Toward a Plastic-Responsible Future unit.
-
Exploring with GIS: Following Plastic from Land to Sea
Plastic pollution is a problem, especially in our oceans. National Geographic Explorer Heather Koldewey, along with a team of experts, set off on an expedition to find answers. Through technology, data collection, and mapping on India’s Ganges River, Heather and her team use innovative bottle tags as one method to determine and chart where much of the plastic pollution originates from.
-
Plastics, Plastics, Everywhere
Students learn basic background information about the plastics crisis, including what defines plastics, where plastic pollution comes from, and how it gets into the ocean. Working together as part of a publishing team, they synthesize a variety of multimedia resources to create their own Ocean Plastics Movement Model explaining the forces that affect plastics on a global scale. This lesson is part of the Plastics: From Pollution to Solutions unit.