You know you are a teacher when...
The minute you find out you are setting off on an EPIC ADVENTURE, you think 🤔, What is the best way to share this experience with my students and other curious students/teachers in my professional learning network?
Keep reading to see an idea I have...obviously I'm open to hearing more, too!
A few weeks ago I found out that I will have the opportunity to close this year with an EPIC ADVENTURE to Antarctica, Patagonia & South Georgia over THIS holiday break.
Over the course of my trip I may have the opportunity to learn about:
1) Amazing sea lion habitat at Isla de Lobos -- a national reserve located less than six miles off the coast of Punta del Este.
2) the wealth of wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery of Cooper Bay, a hidden gem awaiting discovery at the southeastern-most extremity of South Georgia. Four species of penguins nest and breed at Cooper Bay, including the island’s largest chinstrap penguin colony, together with colonies of macaroni and gentoo penguins and a small number of king penguins.
3) Drygalski Fjord- one of the most scenic areas of South Georgia, and also one of the windiest. Its narrow, two-and-a-half mile (4 km) waterway is bordered by steep-sided rock walls crowned by spectacular snow-covered peaks rising to over a 3,200’ (1,000 m)
4) Scenic Fortuna Bay offers both prolific wildlife viewing and a magnificent panorama from its beach of jagged summit peaks and the impressive expanse of the Konig Glacier.
5) Gold Harbour's large colony of king penguins that covers the length of the beach.
6)The Aitcho Islands are among the most mysterious areas of the South Shetland Islands chain -- a place of both subtle beauty and quiet solitude. There, I may also learn about Chinstrap and gentoo penguins nest on the island
7) The Polish Antarctic research station, Arktowski, was established in 1977 on the shoreline of Admiralty Bay on King George Island. It is named for Henryk Arktowski, the Polish geologist, oceanographer and meteorologist of the Belgian Antarctic Expedition from 1897-1899.
8) Antarctic Gems: Cuverville Island, Deception Island, Brown Bluff (Tabarin Peninsula), Devil Island, The Drake Passage, Elephant Island, Gerlache Strait, Half Moon Island, Hannah Point, Livingston Island, Hope Bay, and a few other Islands, harbors, points, stations, and others.
9) Ushuaia is the southernmost city on Earth and is often referred to as "the end of the world"
10) Bodies of water that include: 1)The Beagle Channel 2) Strait of Magellan (a 350-mile/570 km channel separating the mainland of South America from the large Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego and connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.) and 3) The Gulf of Corcovado is a large body of water between Chiloe Island and the coast of Chile.
At the core of this science teacher is an explorer ready to adventure and collect observations, ask questions, and imerse herself into the unimgianble beauty that awaits. I will furiously note-take when possible, capture videos and images as the conditions permit, and whole-heartedly soak-in & reflect on the majesty of its pristine natural landscapes--second to no other location on earth, around me, on this adventure.
I have created a google form to collect questions from curious students and educators who want to learn more about Antarctica, Patagonia & South Georgia. Instead of answering questions when I return to the states, I want to take the questions with me and while I'm there so that when I'm working with/talking to/hanging out with marine biologists, environmentalists, naturalists, explorers, other passengers, and ship captains, I can bring up questions that you may have.
“All Journeys Have Secret Destinations
Of Which The Traveler Is Unaware”
Martin Buber, Philosopher
I'm almost ready to embark on this expedition! Can't wait to share this journey with all you.