So much to learn about the oceans from sand
Rob Holman has collected over 860 sand samples from around the world. See the differences from St. Andrews to Samoa for yourself on the interactive map.
The endless immensity of the sea
If you want to build a ship don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Looking for an inspirational schools speaker?
Just weeks before Mark was due to set off on the next leg of his amazing 7 rivers, 7 continents project, he was forced to delay his departure having had a metal screw inserted into his clavicle. He is a great speaker and available to come to schools across the UK. See below for more information or get in touch with Mark directly.
Mark Kalch is a motivational and school speaker, explorer, adventurer and sponsored athlete. I undertake difficult, demanding and culturally significant expeditions across the globe. Most recently I walked solo across the entire Islamic Republic of Iran and have previously made a source to sea paddling descent of the entire Amazon River (please view a short clip here). I am currently pursuing the 7 rivers, 7 continents project – source to sea paddling descents of the longest river on each continent. A combined total of more than 22 000 miles of paddling. My journeys are developed, planned and executed alone or in small teams with no external assistance.
My school presentations are based around my experiences on expeditions all around the world. I like nothing more than to get students (and teachers!) looking outside of their own spheres of thought. Being able to bring first hand accounts of interactions with culture, customs and environments usually only presented in books, on screen and via the internet is just wonderful. I believe one of the key factors in developing the thoughtful minds of tomorrow is an understanding and empathy with populations throughout the world. Having an engaging and entertaining platform from which to do this is ideal.
I speak at schools throughout the UK and across all age ranges. I am honoured to have presented on a number of occasions to the Royal Geographical Society and the National Geographic Society. I am also humbled to have been recommended to become a fellow of the RGS by the director, Dr. Rita Gardner herself.
All presentations are tailored to suit a school’s requirements. If you require further information or clarification do not hesitate in your approach.
Past school quote:
Mark
I have talked to most of the sixth, first form and teachers, who attended yesterday. The response was entirely enthusiastic & positive (which is not always the case, even with our better speakers). Comments ranged from ‘absolutely brilliant’, all the way down(!) to ‘very interesting’. Thanks for what was clearly an exceptionally well delivered and fascinating talk which has made a great impression on all who attended.
Dr Anthony Langdon Kingston Grammar School
No Climate Change Education in our schools?
The debate around climate change in the science curriculum rages on in the press with a letter published in yesterday’s Guardian and signed by a number of educationalists.
This is response to the news that climate change is to be dropped from the national curriculum.
My immediate and emotive response to this is that the government has this wrong and must immediately change their policy and include climate change within the science curriculum.
(more…)
Education for Uncertain Futures
Attended the RSA’s Education for Uncertain Futures event last night. Some good speakers, but left me thinking whether the debate was focused too much on how education is delivered and not enough on what education should provide for young people facing an ‘uncertain future’.
What would I want from an education if I were to start again and does our education system deliver this?
- enough skills so I know that I can compete in a tough job market (or at least a good start in this regard)
- personal growth both as an individual and as part of a team or community
- the knowledge and skills to be able to keep myself healthy
- the opportunity to learn and develop my actions so that they are in tune with a more sustainable world
- develop a close group of friends, whom I can rely upon
- learn to value myself
- develop my creative outlets
What would you want from life and education to face our future, uncertain or otherwise?
Inspiring youth in the Alps
Very excited to be a part of the New Leaders in Sustainability expeditions this year. The expeditions aim to inspire primary school pupils to engage in sustainability and what it means for them on a personal, team and global basis.
You can follow their progress on their expedition website. Digital Explorer is working with the teams to see how we can develop their ability to communicate their experiences and become role models for the wider school community.
The expeditions will be using Digital Explorer’s [de] blogs platform.
Ed Stafford book launch
Great to see Ed Stafford enjoying the success he deserves at his book launch in London on Tuesday. Any teachers looking to engage students in the rainforest, would be advised to get hold of a copy for their pupils.
Ed’s book is available on Amazon and he is currently undertaking a national speaking tour.
Ed was kind enough to be part of the launch for the Digital Explorer Academy with a live chat from the Amazon to students at the London Zoo rainforest exhibit.
Planting seeds…
When I run a project, I never really know what’s going to happen. Like a lot of people I imagine, I promise a whole load of things to funders without really knowing what the outcomes of the project or expedition will be.
With the final episode of the Pakistan episode launched last week, it’s time to celebrate the achievements of the young people as they start on their journeys and to thank all the funders, supporters and collaborators who made this possible.
Special thanks to the financial backers of the project, who put their faith in us to deliver something. I hope that they have watched the video below and are proud of what they have allowed to happen.
Now the long journey to find the funding for the next one…
A day in Edinburgh for Google Earth
Great to be up with the Scottish Council of Independent Schools this month in Edinburgh and have the chance to work with a great group of geography (and science!) teachers.
A few pointers for the attendees and anyone else interested in using Google Earth and GPS in the classroom:
- the basic and advanced manuals are available for download
- there’s also a manual on how to use a variety of ICT tools for doing School Grounds Projects (see the bottom of the page
- check out the blog for a range of different resources and ideas, including the post ’40+ ideas on using Google Earth and Maps in the classroom’
- Digital Explorer produced resources for the RGS on using Google Earth
- and if that’s not enough, we have form and assembly resources from our recent expedition to Pakistan
Do be in touch if you need any other advice
New Pakistan resources launched
Digital Explorer has recently launched a series of resources aimed at assemblies and tutor/form time. The resources are part of the Journey to Pakistan 2010 Expedition and are being released on a weekly basis along with a new video from the expedition.
The first episode (above) focuses on the ideas of Pakistan that the student team who were on the expedition before they left, with the second episode looking at the impact of the media on our perception of other countries. All the resources, will appear on the Offscreen Expeditions Teachers page.
In addition to the classroom resources and videos, teachers and pupils can read the students’ blog, make comments and vote in weekly polls.
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