G’Day, Young Explorers

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Lauren Barack -- School Library Journal, 1/14/2008 2:11:00 PM

Students eager for a walkabout Down Under have a chance to win a 10-day Australian expedition courtesy of National Geographic Kids and its annual Hands-On Explorer Challenge. 

Entries are open to kids between 9 and 14 years old, who must write an original 300-word essay and take a photograph that explains and illustrates how actively the student explores her world. Those entering should also describe the most exciting things she has ever discovered during these mini-expeditions. Students can study animals, plants, or anything that engages them about where they live.

Winners of last year’s contest flew to Johannesburg, South Africa for the start of a 10-day safari over the summer, blogging about their adventures as they made their way across the country, tracking elephants, lions, and other wild animals native to Africa. Before leaving, the team raised money for a local elementary school in South Africa and visited the students during their trip. 

This year’s contest will offer 15 students a grand prize of a 10-day tour of Australia for themselves and mom or dad, plus a digital camera to document the adventure that will begin in July 2008. 

Teachers, too, can get in on the fun and enter to win one of two spots on the Australian quest, by submitting a 500-word essay on ways they encouraged students to learn about the country, along with a photo of their kids engaging in the activity.

But with entries due by Feb 22, 2008, students—and teachers—need to make it snappy and start scribbling.