Joe Grabowski is a science communicator, educator and scuba diver working to inspire the next generation of scientists and explorers. He is the founder of the non-profit Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, which brings science, exploration, adventure, and conservation into classrooms across North America and around the world through virtual speakers and field trips. Since 2015, he’s hosted over 2,000 live events connecting half a million students with leading scientists and explorers from over 80 countries. Joe is using technology to open the most remote corners of the planet to classrooms, sending textbook-sized satellite units into the field with explorers so they can live broadcast into classrooms from the most remote regions on the planet. In 2017, he was selected as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and shortly after became National Geographic’s first Education Fellow. He founded National Geographic’s Explorer Classroom program and recently launched the Global Biodiversity Festival, a virtual event bringing biodiversity live to the general public in over 100 countries. Joe's a top 50 finalist for the Global Teacher Prize and is a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Explorers Club. An avid scuba diver for the past decade, he's always looking for an excuse to sink beneath the waves.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists and Explorers
If we're going to live sustainably on our planet, it's important that students learn what it means to be a global citizen. We need to inspire the next generation of scientists and explorers and there are no better role models than those who are on the frontlines of researching, documenting, protecting, and exploring our planet.
Every scientist and explorer can remember when it happened, when their passion for their choose pursuit was ignited. It may have been meeting someone, seeing a documentary, reading a book, or being inspired by a dynamic educator. You can spark these 'aha' moments for your students by bringing the world into your classrooms through virtual connections with leading scientists and explorers around the world, and it's easier than you think!
As educators, we strive to bring meaningful and relevant learning experiences to our students each day, to connect the dots between what we're teaching and how it applies to the real world.Join educator and National Geographic Explorer Joe Grabowski as he shares the story of the unexpected turn his education career took when he began engaging his students through the stories and adventures of scientists and explorers around the world. We’ll dive into the exciting resource that can have your students virtually exploring outside their classroom walls within the week and learn tips and tricks for engaging your students before and after these unique experiences. Finally, we’ll explore ways the classroom might change in the future, from maker spaces to new content areas to more mobile and self-directed learning. A world of exciting possibilities as we prepare students for careers that don't event exist yet.