INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive guide provides the educator with the necessary
tools to facilitate discussions and lead activities that enhance students’
experiences while viewing the dynamic museum exhibition National
Geographic Presents Earth Explorers.
Included are pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit activities. An overview of
the exhibition gives the educator a summary of each of the regions
featured in the exhibition.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACTIVITIES
Getting Ready for Your Visit ......................................................................................................................... 3
At the Exhibition ........................................................................................................................................... 5
After Your Visit .............................................................................................................................................. 6
STUDENT EXPEDITION JOURNALS
Part One: Getting Ready .............................................................................................................................. 7
Part Two: At the Exhibition ........................................................................................................................... 8
Part Three: Planning an Expedition ............................................................................................................. 10
Expedition Crossword .................................................................................................................................. 11
AN OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION
Base Camp, Arrival Points and Meet the Explorer ....................................................................................... 12
CHILL: Polar Regions .................................................................................................................................... 13
DIVE: Oceans ................................................................................................................................................. 15
TREK: Rain Forests ........................................................................................................................................ 17
SOAR: Savannas ............................................................................................................................................ 20
CLIMB: Mountains and Caves ...................................................................................................................... 22
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GETTING READY FOR YOUR VISIT
PRE-VISIT ACTIVITIES
Objectives
• Activate students’ prior knowledge about six areas of the Earth:
Polar Regions, Oceans, Rain Forests, Savannas, Mountains and Caves
• Introduce appropriate vocabulary in the correct context
• Prepare students to make the best use of their time at the exhibition
• Motivate students and create interest in exploration
• Raise questions related to exhibition content
Materials
• Chart paper and markers
• Access to computers
• (Optional) 1 copy of an Expedition Journal per student (available on pages 7–11). The journal includes three
parts: Getting Ready, At the Exhibition, and Planning an Expedition, as well as an Expedition Crossword
featuring explorer gear vocabulary terms from the exhibition.
Activities
1. Explain to students that they will be visiting an action-packed exhibition called National Geographic Presents Earth
Explorers. Here they will learn about explorations into six very different ecosystems: Polar Regions, Oceans, Rain
Forests, Savannas, Mountains and Caves.
2. To elicit prior knowledge, hold a class discussion on some of the big questions that recur throughout the
exhibition. At this point, students’ responses may be vague or inaccurate, but a visit to the exhibit should help to
clarify their ideas.
Vocabulary Development (Optional)
Take the opportunity to develop a working vocabulary with students before the visit. Allow them to express ideas
in their own words. When needed, either provide the appropriate vocabulary or encourage students to do some
research to find the answer. At the exhibition, prompt students to use the new vocabulary and provide guidance
in reading and understanding new terms. After the visit, students will make brief presentations. Take note of their
growth and reinforce it. Listen for them to incorporate new words and ideas into their talks.
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GETTING READY FOR YOUR VISIT (continued)
3. On chart paper, record students’ contributions to the discussion. Save the chart to use in the post-visit activities,
where students will edit or expand on their preliminary ideas. Some over-arching questions you might use to focus
the discussion are:
• What does it mean to be an explorer?
• Why do you think explorers go to these areas of the Earth?
• What are the challenges facing explorers in each different area?
• What technologies do explorers utilize while living, working, and collecting data in extreme environments?
• What is the biodiversity of each area? How do life forms specially adapt to live and thrive under extreme
conditions?
4. Divide students into five teams, one for each section of the exhibition: Polar Regions, Oceans, Rain Forests,
Savannas, and Mountains & Caves. You may want to assign each team one region to explore in depth, or you may
allow students to self-select (depending on the maturity of your group) as long as all five sections are covered. For
more advanced groups, students may pick two contrasting regions (for example, Polar Regions vs. Rain Forests,
Caves vs. Oceans, Savannas vs. Mountains). Provide one copy of the Expedition Journal per student or supply record
keeping pages of your own design.
5. Give teams ample time to plan their exploration and to record ideas in their Expedition Journals: Part One.
6. If time is available, have students go online to research areas featured in the exhibition.
Paul Nicklen/National Geographic Stock
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AT THE EXHIBITION
Kenneth Geiger/National Geographic Stock
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES
Objectives
• Get an overview of the whole exhibition
• Focus students’ attention on one particular section of exploration
• Further develop working vocabulary
• Record observations, impressions, and new findings in the Expedition Journal
Materials
• (Optional) 1 copy per student of the Expedition Journal: Part Two
Activities
1. Allow students about 25–30 minutes to explore the exhibition independently. Be sure they begin at the Base
Camp. From there, students can visit the other sections in any order they choose.
2. After the period of free exploration, regroup students into their teams and have them use the Expedition Journal:
Part Two, which pertains to their on-site tasks. Encourage them to write and/or draw their observations, impressions,
and findings.
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AFTER YOUR VISIT
POST-VISIT ACTIVITIES
Objectives
• Share information, findings, experiences, and impressions from the exhibition
• Reinforce the big, over-arching ideas in the exhibition
• Use new vocabulary in the correct context
• Apply what was learned to plan a local expedition
Materials
• The chart of prior knowledge and questions students generated in the pre-visit activity
• Students’ Expedition Journals in which they recorded data on their exhibition experiences
• (Optional) 1 copy per student of the Expedition Journal: Part Three
Activities
1. With their teammates, ask students to organize their thoughts and review their data on the section they
investigated in depth at the exhibition. Then invite each team to give a brief presentation of their findings. Encourage others to contribute or to ask questions.
2. After the presentations, open a class discussion. Ask: what did you learn that you never knew before? Return to the charts of prior knowledge that the class generated in the pre-visit discussion. Have students add new information and edit or expand on statements based on what they learned at the exhibition.
3. Personalize the experience for students. Begin by asking how the people featured in the exhibit became explorers. What early experiences influenced them? Then ask students about some of their favorite things to do and how some of those activities might lead to a career.
4. To apply what students have learned, plan a local expedition. Use the Expedition Journal: Part Three to record information. You might explore a playground, a vacant lot, a nature center, or a park.
• Decide on a purpose: why will you go? What kinds of data will you collect? How will you record it?
• Make a packing list: what will you need to take? What kinds of equipment, food, or scientific gear?
• How will you share what you learned with others?
• If possible, actually go on the expedition. If not, even an imaginary exploration can be fun!
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Name: Date: EXPEDITION JOURNAL
Part One: Getting Ready
1. We will investigate the area.
2. Our questions about this area are: 3. Explorer’s Packing List for the area.
There are no shopping centers where you are going. What will you need to pack to live,
work, and collect information in your region? List everything you can think of.
Name: Date: EXPEDITION JOURNAL
1. We are investigating the Part Two: At the Exhibition
area.
2. Look back at the questions you recorded about this area before your museum visit.
Which ones were you able to answer at the exhibition? What did you find out?
3. How did your packing list compare to the explorer’s list? What would you need to add
or subtract from your list to survive here?
4. What impressed you about the explorer(s) in your region?
Name: Date: EXPEDITION JOURNAL
Part Two: At the Exhibition
5. What important discoveries were made in this region?
6. What kinds of technology make it possible for explorers to live and work here?
7. Draw and label your favorite animal in this area:
Name: Date: EXPEDITION JOURNAL
1. We will investigate Part Three: Planning an Expedition
2. We will try to find out 3. This is our packing list:
4. When we return, we will share our findings by: Name: Date: EXPEDITION CROSSWORD:
Know Your Gear
Explorers: solve this crossword using the expedition gear items listed in the word bank.
ACROSS
1. A form of gear worn to protect the head from injury.
6. A piece of equipment that helps divers to breathe underwater.
9. Navigational instrument that uses magnets to point north.
10. A wireless form of communication.
11. Type of coat that helps polar explorers stay warm.
12. Foldable, handheld tool used for a variety of tasks.
DOWN
2. A method for photographing wild animals.
3. A small vehicle designed for underwater exploration.
4. A garment worn when diving underwater.
5. A piece of climbing equipment that secures a person to a rope.
7. Vessel that stores air for breathing underwater.
8. Handheld glasses that allow an explorer to view distant objects.
WORD BANK
Submersible
Compass
Pocket knife
Harness
Trap camera
Parka
Oxygen tank
Wetsuit
Binoculars
Helmet
Regulator
Radio
OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION
FIRST STOP: BASE CAMP
Welcome! Get ready to explore some of the wildest places on Earth. You will meet penguins and polar bears, dive
deep into the ocean in a submersible, come face to face with a great white shark, marvel at the diversity of life in the
rain forest, soar over the savanna in a hot air balloon, climb a treacherous mountain, and descend into a crystal cave.
A touch screen on the back of the truck displays the five areas you will visit and the different modes of transportation
used to explore them.
Here at Base Camp you first meet the explorers themselves, the daring men and women who have lived and worked
in these extreme environments. They describe why they love exploration, relate exciting things they do in their work,
show some of their specialized equipment, and talk about their discoveries. We will meet up with each of them again
when we visit the five sections of the exhibition.
Packing, planning, and preparation are all key to a successful mission. Take note of the long and detailed checklists
prepared by each explorer.
Once everything is in place, climb aboard the truck. Be sure to check the rearview mirror – lions may be chasing your
vehicle! Then, feel free to visit each section of the exhibition in any order you like.
ARRIVAL POINTS: An Introduction to Each Section of the Exhibit
You will enter each of the five main exhibit areas via an Arrival Point, where you will be greeted by a standing
illustration of an explorer wearing full gear appropriate for the landscape and environment in that section. Begin
by watching the video that shows the landscape and animals of the area. It introduces the explorers and the special
equipment they need to do their work. Each Arrival Point also features a world map that illustrates some animals
from that region.
Interactive clipboards challenge you to be a good observer. One clipboard lists the items on the explorer’s
packing list and asks you to go on a scavenger hunt to find them throughout the exhibit. Another clipboard asks
you to figure out what animal is shown by viewing just a small part of it. Don’t forget to read the Weird but True
Facts at each Arrival Point.
MEET THE EXPLORER
Meet the Explorer is a feature in each section of the exhibit. It highlights the exploration work done by ten different
National Geographic scientists, conservationists, and photographers.
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OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION
CHILL: Polar Regions
Entering the region of subzero heroes, you are greeted by a model of an explorer in full cold weather gear, standing
behind a dog sled. You are invited to hop on for a picture with the explorer and to set out on an adventure into this
extreme environment. Maps of the two Polar Regions, the Arctic and Antarctica, help orient visitors geographically,
and provide a glimpse of the wildlife inhabiting each region. Before leaving the Arrival Point, play What is That? and
enjoy Weird but True facts.
ANTARCTICA
Antarctica is a vast frozen continent and is one of the driest, coldest, and windiest places on Earth. Here the featured
animal is the Emperor Penguin. Awkward waddlers on land, these penguins are well adapted to swimming and
fishing in the frigid waters surrounding the continent, thanks to a streamlined, torpedo-shaped body and heatretaining layers of fat and feathers. Peer through a hole in the ice to see a video of penguins swimming gracefully
underwater. The explorer had to take a helicopter and a snowmobile to get to the site, and then don a dry suit to take
the remarkable footage shown in this part of the exhibit.
At the dry suit interactive display, you have an opportunity to compare penguin feathers to the materials in dry suits
worn by humans venturing into the sea.
THE ARCTIC
In the Arctic area, the mighty polar bear is the featured animal. From the window of the Polar Explorer’s Cabin, look
for several large bears walking by. Like the Emperor Penguin, the polar bear is also specially adapted to the cold.
It has a thick layer of fat, black skin that absorbs heat from the sun, and a white coat made up of hollow, insulating
hairs. Interactive displays encourage you to explore these adaptations. In the Thermal Heat Imaging interactive, for
example, you can compare your real time heat loss to that of the polar bear.
Paul Nic klen/N
ational Geograp
hic Stock
Mauricio Handler
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/National Geograp
hic Stock
OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION
CHILL: Polar Regions (continued)
HEAT AND FUEL
Humans must take extraordinary measures to keep warm in the polar regions. Outside the Polar Explorer’s Cabin,
Extremely Cold Weather gear is on display. Mimicking polar animals, humans have learned to dress in layers to trap
body heat and keep out wind and moisture. You can experiment with mittens and a cold plate to discover firsthand
the advantage of layering.
But appropriate clothing is just the beginning. Humans also need huge quantities of the right kinds of foods to
generate enough body heat in this frigid environment, and perhaps as much as double the amount of fat as found
in a normal diet. Inside the cabin, the My Plate puzzle interactive challenges you to put together a diet with the right
percentages of fat and carbohydrates to sustain you in the frigid climate.
TECHNOLOGY
Technology plays a major role in survival as well as in collecting data. Inside the cabin, get acquainted with some
of the equipment in the Discovery Drawers. The explorers may use Global Positioning Systems to find their exact
location, compasses to navigate across the featureless expanse, ice screws to secure their ropes, hand cranked radios
and flashlights for when batteries run out, and bear bangers and bear bells to scare off the big predators.
POLAR EXPLORERS
Inside the Polar Explorer’s Cabin is the field journal of a remarkable polar explorer, Paul Nicklen, a biologist,
photographer, and lover of the Arctic region where he grew up. In the journal, he shares his long and detailed
packing list, and notes that making careful preparations is the hardest part of the trip. He includes amazing
photographs of himself and his favorite creatures, as well as a vivid description of swimming next to penguins to
discover how they release micro-bubbles. He worries about the disappearing sea ice and the tiny creatures within it
that support the food chain. Paul Nicklen’s admiration for the native Inuit people and what they have taught him—
patience and passion—is inspiring.
On a laptop in the cabin, you will meet Sarah McNair-Landry, a young explorer and photographer who grew up on
Baffin Island with the Arctic Ocean and a team of sled dogs in her backyard. View amazing footage of Sarah snowkiting across 1,500 miles of Greenland ice sheet.
Finally, ponder the recipe for pemmican, the explorer’s homemade energy bar. Why so much fat? How do you think it
tastes? Would you eat it if you had to?
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OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION
DIVE: Oceans
Where on Earth would you go to find the longest mountain range, the deepest and darkest abyss, and the most
active volcanoes? Where do over half of all life forms live, among them some of the biggest and most beautiful
and the most endangered in the world? Where have explorers been able to study only 5% of the region so far? The
oceans, of course!
Because light levels decrease and pressure increases the deeper you go, humans must have life support systems in
place to move about and carry out their research underwater. While traveling through this section, take special note
of the technology that makes underwater exploration possible, such as oxygen tanks, regulators, depth gauges, and
submersibles.
Upon arrival, two fully outfitted ocean explorers invite you to dive into the deep. One of the illustrations has the face
portion cut out, so you can put your head in the hole and have a picture taken in scuba gear.
A map of the world illustrates that 71% of the Earth is covered by oceans. These bodies of water create half of the
oxygen we need and support a huge proportion of all known plant and animal life, with many more life forms yet to
be discovered. Unlike humans, the sea animals pictured on the map–such as sea otters, manatees, sea turtles, sharks
and seals–are all specially adapted to life in the ocean.
Before you leave the Arrival Point, be sure to try the interactive called What is That? and enjoy Weird but True facts.
THE SUBMERSIBLE
Why do we use submersibles? These vehicles allow humans to explore parts of the ocean where the pressure is
beyond what the body can tolerate.
Before you take a dive in the submersible, spend a few minutes learning about water pressure. The deeper you venture
underwater, the more your body is compressed by the weight of the water. View a display with models illustrating
what would happen to the human body without the protection of a submersible at 22,500 feet below sea level.
Ready to enter the submersible? Press the dive button to initiate videos in three portholes reveal the extraordinary
diversity of life forms at various depths. Your journey begins at the sunny surface of the Great Barrier Reef swarming
with schools of tropical fish, and then you’ll dive further down where whales and sharks move through twilight
waters. Finally, the submersible lights go on as you descend into the inky deep where bioluminescent creatures glow.
Outside the submersible, displays explain the history and the science behind submersibles, and describe how they
have played a key role in underwater exploration.
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OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION
DIVE: Oceans (continued)
SHARKS
The featured creature in this area is the one of the oldest animals on Earth, the shark. Often maligned and
misrepresented, this complex and powerful predator plays a vital role in the ocean ecosystem, and can be an
indicator of the health of a marine habitat. A dramatic 11-foot model of a great white shark along with informative
graphics present multiple learning opportunities. A spinning drum interactive tests your knowledge about the
strength of a shark’s jaws, the antibiotic properties of shark skin, and a shark’s sensory organs.
CRITTERCAM
In addition to using scuba gear and submersibles to gather data underwater, ocean scientists have been able to
place a research tool called Crittercam onto various animals such as sharks, turtles, sea lions, penguins, whales,
and squid. Notice the camera attached to the dorsal fin of the shark model. Monitors provide an explanation of how
scientists mounted the camera and show footage of what they found. No animals are harmed during the filming, and
Crittercam automatically pops off and floats to the surface for easy retrieval. Although it’s difficult to get the cameras
on, it has been worth the trouble. Scientists now know much more about how sea animals hunt, mate, communicate,
and socialize. Try the Crittercam touch screen interactive to learn more about the wealth of biodiversity in the sea as
filmed by the critters themselves.
OCEAN EXPLORERS
When ocean conservationist Enric Sala dives into unexplored waters, he never knows what he will find. He gathers
information on pristine marine ecosystems and what is needed to keep them healthy. Because of his efforts, three
marine reserves are being established in the Pacific Ocean to preserve and maintain ocean habitats. Check out his
Explorer’s Journal, which includes his long and detailed packing checklist and his enthusiastic accounts of his travels.
Marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle shares her boundless curiosity about the ocean and her wonder at discoveries that
have been made. Her curiosity was born during childhood summers spent at the New Jersey shore, and continues to
drive her explorations. Dr. Earle’s ambition is to go to the deepest part of the ocean.
Brian J. Skerry/Na
tional Geograp
hic Stock
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Jason Edw ards/N
ational Geographi
c Stock
OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION
TREK: Rain Forests
At the Arrival Point, you are introduced to life in a rain forest. Tropical rain forests are consistently warm and wet.
Rainfall is heavy and humidity is high. Foliage is dense and luxuriant, and life forms are diverse. Unfamiliar plants
and exotic animals abound–many strangely beautiful, some dangerous.
A monitor shows remarkable footage of explorers and animals in this area, and a map introduces some of the unique
creatures living in the rain forests of Central America, South America, Western Africa, Madagascar, Southern Asia,
and Australasia.
Packing for an expedition into the rain forest presents special challenges because you have to be prepared for many
different kinds of exploration. You may find yourself hacking through deep jungle, climbing high into the canopy, or
wading through mosquito-infested swamps, and each venture requires different clothing and equipment. Check out
the explorer’s packing list, and then try to find some of these items as you tour the area. Before you leave the Arrival
Point, Play What is That? and enjoy Weird but True facts.
THE RAIN FOREST FIELD STATION
Step into the Rain Forest Field Station, a temporary, portable field laboratory. At the main table, the first touch screen
monitor recounts explorer Mike Fay’s 456-day trek through the most remote rain forest in Africa. His purpose: to find
and document what he found and to take steps to preserve these critical areas. Using local guides and traveling on
foot, he sometimes hacked his way through the jungle and at other times followed elephant paths. His 2,000-mile
hike resulted in a scientific survey called the Megatransect. Photographer Michael “Nick” Nichols joined Fay for
portions of the journey to take photos of the expedition. Fay used his findings to persuade the President of Gabon to
create 13 new national parks, and to secure 53 million dollars from the U.S. government for rainforest preservation
in the Congo.
A second touch screen introduces some of the deadliest creatures that live in the rain forest. Although often
beautiful, you won’t want to come too close to these animals and insects. Touch an icon to hear the creature and learn
what to look out for when exploring in the wettest parts of our globe.
On a side table you are introduced to more creatures of the rain forest through the work of photographer David
Littschwager. David had an interesting idea: he set up a one cubic foot green metal cube 100 feet high up in a tree
and photographed what traveled through it in 24 hours. Use the light box to see some of the amazingly diverse
creatures that wandered through his cube in the Monteverde Cloud Forest of Costa Rica.
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OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION
TREK: Rain Forests (continued)
THE EARTH’S GREENBELT
Tropical rain forests cover the globe’s middle, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn (from Latitude
23 ½° N – Latitude 23 ½° S). This greenbelt has a tremendous impact on the whole globe:
• The Amazon rain forest produces 20% of the Earth’s oxygen.
• Tropical rain forests create their own clouds by releasing water into the air.
• A single tree “sweats” about 200 gallons (760 liters) each year.
• Rain forests cover only 6% of the Earth’s surface yet they contain more than half of the world’s plant and animal species.
In this area, a large wall map introduces the major rain forests in the world and highlights some of the amazing
creatures found in the tropics.
BIODIVERSITY
The rain forest is a network of intricate layers, each with differing amounts of light, moisture, and air circulation and
each with a diversity of life forms adapted to the varied conditions. A large graphic panel called From Soil to Treetop
introduces us to the four layers: forest floor, understory, canopy, and emergent layers.
On the dim floor, fungi, insects, frogs, and worms live in the heavy and decomposing leaf litter. The understory is still
very dark and home to snakes, lizards, beetles, spiders, and some small mammals. The brighter canopy layer teems
with life, and is where over half the plant species on Earth thrive. At the very top, 200 feet up, is the emergent layer. Few
humans can make it up this high to observe the eagles, bats, butterflies, and monkeys that live here. See the Central
American Canopy Climb monitor for a glimpse of the biodiversity at each level.
Ger ry Ellis / Minden Pict
Luc iano Can
tur es/
dis ani / Minden Pic
phic Stock
National Geogra
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ures/National Geograp
hic Stoc k
OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION
TREK: Rain Forests (continued)
DISCOVERIES
Life in the rain forest is so abundant that new species are still being discovered. On expeditions to the Foja
Mountains in New Guinea, explorers discovered a new bird species, more than a dozen new frogs, a tiny dwarf
wallaby, a blossom bat, and moth species. See these and more on the graphic panel, Unknown Worlds.
EXPLORE AND CONSERVE
There is much yet to be discovered in the rain forests. Scientists say that great numbers of species are still unknown
to us. Forest plants may provide the key to new medicines and become new sources of food. The life cycles and
habits of many jungle animals are still mysteries waiting to be solved. There are tribes of indigenous rain forest
peoples who may have much to teach us. But there may not be much time left.
Why explore the rain forests? Explorers thrive on fun and adventure, but more than that, they are dedicated to
conserving these natural treasures. They bring back stories, discoveries, and photographs so that people will see the
value of these forests and understand the importance of protecting them.
Pete McBride/National Geographic Stock
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OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION
SOAR: Savannas
Come join explorers on a hot air balloon ride over the savanna. Drift soundlessly over the grassy plain and watch
wildlife on the move in search of food and water. Be sure to check out all the attractions at the Arrival Point: a map
showing the animals that live on the major grasslands of the globe, and the explorer’s packing checklist. Play What is
That? and read the Weird but True facts.
IN THE AIR: THE HOT AIR BALLOON
Before taking flight, learn how hot air balloons work. Propane burners shoot hot air inside the balloon envelope
to make it rise in the cooler surrounding air. Turning off the burners and opening the parachute valve makes the
balloon sink. But the pilot can’t really control horizontal movement well, and depends on air currents to propel the
balloon forward.
Why use balloons? They are very useful for tracking and viewing animals from the air over long distances. Balloons
are slow moving so photographers can get good shots, and they are very quiet and don’t scare the animals below.
Now hop on board and enjoy the sights and sounds of the savanna.
ANIMAL MIGRATION
Animals all over the world migrate, or move periodically from one habitat to another according to the seasons in search
of food, water and a good place to raise their young. Elephants, wildebeests, pronghorns, monarch butterflies, Lesser
Sandhill Cranes, humpback whales, leatherback turtles, green sea turtles, Arctic Terns, and Northern Wheatear birds
are all known to make incredible migratory journeys, some following routes that are thousands of years old. An
interactive LED map traces some of their amazing journeys.
There is more to be learned about migration. Scientists track animals and study their migration patterns to better
understand the needs of these animals. Understanding their needs can help us to protect the land and the resources
that these animals need to thrive.
Annie Grif fiths/Nation
Fra
al
ns Lanting /Nation
Geographic Stock
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al Geographic Stoc k
OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION
SOAR: Savannas (continued)
ON THE GROUND: TRACKING
Local guides and hunters have been using the same methods for tracking animals in the savanna for thousands of
years. It takes great powers of observation to find animal trails and footprints, to identify and date scat, to detect
scratching posts on trees, and to notice flattened grasses indicating resting places. You can test your tracking skills
by matching the paw prints to the animals in the interactive.
HI-TECH TRACKING
Scientists can attach tiny transmitters to animals like bats, birds, and even insects, and follow their movements via
airplane. However, you don’t have to be a scientist to contribute information. Anyone with a smart phone can add
photos and news of elephant sightings to an online database.
SCAT! WHAT’S THAT?
An animal’s scat (or poop) can reveal a great deal to the educated eye. It can tell you what animal passed through the
area, how long ago it was there, and what it was eating. Laboratory tests can also show the animal’s stress level and
state of health, and may even be able to identify the individual animal. In the display, notice how distinctive the size
and shape of each type of scat is and try to figure out the clues it provides to the animal’s diet.
EXPLORER’S NOTEBOOK
Dr. Joyce Poole, behavioral ecologist and conservationist, observes, draws, studies, and personally knows many
elephants in Africa. In fact, some people joke that she might be part elephant herself. Her notebook is a treasure
trove of photos and sketches of elephants. Dr. Poole fears that elephants are seriously threatened, but feels that
people will protect what they know and love. It is her mission to educate others about these caring, empathic
creatures.
Cour tesy Joyce Poole
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OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION
CLIMB: Mountains and Caves
Exploring two contrasting geologic features poses some similar challenges. Both mountains and caves require
preparation for extreme temperatures and awareness of oxygen requirements. Whether climbing up or down, both
kinds of explorations require specialized equipment as well as tried and true gear, such as sturdy ropes.
A map at the Arrival Point shows some animals unique to caves and to mountain areas. An animal guessing game
helps familiarize you with some of the creatures that are adapted to life in these extreme environments. Each region
requires different specialized gear. Compare your packing checklists to the lists in the Explorer’s Notebooks. Go on a
scavenger hunt to try to find these items in the exhibit.
MOUNTAINS
An extraordinary video and breathtaking images transport you to the rooftop of the world, the Himalayas: the realm
of the snow leopard. Photographer Steve Winter with his 33 bags of equipment has traveled by plane, truck, Jeep,
and horseback, and has climbed on foot to reach the home of this elusive and notoriously camera shy predator.
With the help of local guides who find and identify the big cat’s tracks and scat, Steve sets up camera traps on the
trails that snow leopards are known to frequent. The camera traps are triggered by movement, so he never got to see
an actual live snow leopard, but had great success in capturing them on film—walking, stretching, and leaving their
scent. Be aware: you might trigger the camera trap interactive in this area and see a captured image of yourself on a
monitor!
The risks of living in this extreme environment are many: frostbite, oxygen deprivation, hypothermia, and edema in
the lungs or brain. Bodies are pushed to the limit, and only careful preparation, excellent physical conditioning, and
special gear can reduce the risks in what climbers call “the death zone”. See the graphic called Surviving on Top of
the World to learn more about how the body reacts to exposure at high altitudes.
Steve Winter/National Geog
raphic Stoc k
Car sten Peter/Spel
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eor esearc h & Film
s/National Geogra
phic Stock
OVERVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION
CLIMB: Mountains and Caves (continued)
CAVE OF CRYSTALS
Dazzling crystals, some as large as a school bus, began forming underground some 600,000 years ago in Mexico.
Volcanic activity forced mineral-rich water upward from Earth’s core. Over thousands of years, at a constant temperature
of about 135 °F, giant crystal formations slowly grew. The formations were discovered when a nearby mining operation
drained the water from the cave. Because the cave no longer has a controlled, protected environment, the crystals are
no longer growing. The caves are now sealed and guarded to prevent theft and damage to these unique formations.
Carsten Peter is one of the very few people to have explored and photographed the Cave of Crystals. In his Explorer’s
Notebook, he explains why he loves to explore, in spite of the risks and dangers he must face. 112 °F temperatures
and 100% humidity levels limited his time underground. Even by wearing special vests lined with ice packs and
carrying a supply of cooled oxygen, it was unsafe to work there for longer than 20 minutes at a time.
Use the interactive crystal display to learn more about how crystals form, and light up the large crystals on display to
appreciate their crystalline structures. Examine the list of surprising ways we use crystals in everyday life. Even more
surprising is the graphic showing the variety of life forms that exist in the harsh, dark environment of caves, such as
fish, spiders, and bacterial slime.
BLUE HOLE CAVES
After learning how different types of caves are geologically
formed, you are then introduced to Kenny Broad and the
blue holes of the Bahamas. Kenny is a conservation biologist
and an environmental anthropologist who spends as much
of his time as possible in deep underwater caves in the
Bahamas.
Blue holes are flooded inland caves of incredible beauty and
great ecological significance. These caves have a pristine
saltwater ecosystem protected by a surface layer of fresh
rainwater and a film of gas-spewing toxic algae. Divers have
learned how to pierce this dangerous surface and have
discovered ancient soil from the Sahara, fossilized plants,
and a new species of crustacean. Visitors will see this come
to life in a video presentation of one of Kenny’s dives.
Blue hole divers make use of trusty ropes to find their way
out of the water caves, but also use high-tech devices such as
laser scanners and re-breathers.
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Wes C. Skiles/National Geographic Stock