Go on assignment with National Geographic

Jan 14 2009

Published by Anne-Marie at 5:18 am under Activities,Science

Have you ever wanted to go on assignment with National Geographic? Then maybe you should enter your child in the 2009 National Geographic Kids Hands-On Explorer Challenge.

Fifteen young explorers and two teachers will be selected as members of the 2009 National Geographic Kids Hands-On Explorer Challenge Expedition Team and will win the field trip of a lifetime — a 12-day expedition to Peru with National Geographic and local experts as their guides.
Highlights include exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and visiting Tambopata Reserve deep in the Peruvian rain forest, where team members will have the opportunity to help in a research laboratory. All winners will also receive a digital camera courtesy of Nikon.

The challenge is sponsored by National Geographic Kids magazine, PromPeru, and the marketers of PURELL.

More details

To enter, kids must write an original essay of no more than 300 words describing how they “actively explore their world” and the most interesting things they have encountered. They must also illustrate the essay with a photo they’ve taken. Subjects might include something found in a backyard, park, zoo, pond, or on a vacation with family. Each winner will bring a parent or guardian on the expedition. Contest is open to U.S. residents only.

For the teacher competition, educators are asked to conduct a hands-on activity related to Peru with their students, and write an essay about it of no more than 500 words. Detailed instructions for carrying out the activity, a photograph of students engaged in the activity and a letter of support from the principal or a supervisor also are required.

The contest is open only to full-time teachers in grades 3-8 on any subject matter during the 2007-08 school year and who plan to teach during the 2008-09 school year.

The Peru expedition is scheduled for May 23-June 3, 2009. Entries must be postmarked by Feb. 5, and received no later than Feb. 12, 2009. Complete rules and details can be found at http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/contests/Explorer-trip-2009.