Explorers

In this totally hands-on program, Brain Trek will create an atmosphere of discovery and adventure in your classroom. Within minutes, your students will be transformed into mapmakers and explorers. 

Virginia SOLs:  Social Studies 3.3, 3.5

First students experience the challenges and limitations that map makers (cartographers) and Explorers faced back in their day.  They will learn how the European mapmakers pictured the world as it “grew and changed” by studying the most famous map of European exploration: Waldseemuller’s map of 1507.

Discovery

Then they will discover for themselves why Christopher Columbus wanted to travel to Asia by pulling jewels, silk, and inventions handy to explorers from the concealed “pockets” of a hand-crafted map of the Northern Hemisphere. They will smell and handle the wealth of the Spice Islands – with a chest of cinnamon, cloves and nutmegs.

And to finish, Christopher Columbus, Jacques Cartier, Juan Ponce De Leon and Christopher Newport along with their crews will label and illustrate the section of the New World that they discovered.

Growth

With a flourish and brief speech, the four Explorers in period costume will present their maps. And before their eyes, the class will see the coastline of North America appear as it was discovered! Drawing their own map to include these lands from Quebec to San Salvador will complete the program.  A glorious adventure for all!