This week is Explorers Week, when National Geographic brings together some of the most interesting scientists and explorers making a difference in the world today.

In honor of the occasion, the Education team challenged a group of local teachers to design an end-of-year project focusing on one of National Geographic’s 2016 Emerging Explorers. We’ll be sharing their class’ stories all week on the Education Blog.

Educator: Laura Calderón

Emerging Explorer Studied: Arthur Huang

Grade Level: 1

School: Mundo Verde Bilingual Public Charter School in Washington, DC

Laura on her class’ project:

We first learned where Taiwan is: on which continent and near which ocean. The students were able to locate it on a globe. Then, I told the students about Arthur Huang and asked them, “How would you reuse 25 plastic water bottles?” One idea was to cut off the tops of the bottles and grow plants inside the bottles. Another was to cut them in a half and use them to hold pencils and pens.

Want more Explorers Week brain food? Join us here or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for our Explorers Week 2016, June 13-17. It’s an exciting opportunity to connect with National Geographic scientists, conservationists, and storytellers. Learn about their latest discoveries and adventures, participate virtually in inspiring presentations, and join the important conversation about how we can all make a difference in our world.