This post was written by 2020 Young Explorer Zoë Jenkins. In middle school, I was placed into the gifted program. To me, it seemed like administrators put the gifted students into some of the lowest-performing schools in the district. The kids in the gifted program tended to be bussed in from the other side of town, and I felt like we were unfairly placed on … Continue reading Storytelling Is Essential in the Fight for Social Justice
This post was written by 2020 Young Explorer Shriya Rai. Sometimes the smallest moment can put us on a path of exploration. For me, this was researching and writing a really interesting paper called “Environmental History of India” while I was studying political science. The Indian environmental movement is reflective of Indian society at large. Social justice and sustainability are inextricably linked and reflected through … Continue reading How One Young Explorer Is Helping Peers Become Sustainability Solution Seekers
This post was written by 2020 Young Explorer Richard Turere. I’ve always had an interest in electronics, which was very different from most people in my village. If someone’s radio was destroyed in the village, I’d fix it. I was self-taught by breaking things. My family bought our first TV and the first day we had it, we watched it. The second day we had … Continue reading How a Young Explorer Persevered to Solve a Local Problem — and Found a Global Solution
This post was written by 2020 Education Fellow Andrew Brennen. One evening in early 2016, my classmates and I attended a school board meeting to lobby our elected representatives. Our presence in the room was unusual — typically students in Kentucky are invited to school board meetings to be seen, not heard. We planned to break that tradition, but by then, we were used to … Continue reading Seeking Solutions in Your Community? Try This Youth Leader’s Tips
This post was written by Chief Education Officer Vicki Phillips. Who was the last person who inspired you? And why? What qualities did they have that left an impression? Inspiration has the ability to transcend limitations—real or perceived—to explore new possibilities, drive us forward and give us hope. In my role as Chief Education Officer at the National Geographic Society, I have the great honor … Continue reading #GenGeo: Introducing our spring 2020 National Geographic Young Explorers
