News and Stories

Program to Send 25 Teachers on Expeditions as Outdoor Classroom for Professional Development

WASHINGTON (March 24, 2014)—The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is excited to announce that Sarah Navarro, Lead Education Program Developer at the Zoo’s Harold C. Schott Education Center, has been selected as one this year’s Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Education Grosvenor Teacher Fellows. The 2014 Fellows, a group of twenty-five highly respected educators from the United States and Canada, will embark on Lindblad voyages aboard National Geographic Explorer for a hands-on experience for professional development. 

Each year, K-12 educators are encouraged to apply for this one-of-a-kind professional development opportunity. Fellows enhance their geographic learning through direct, hands-on field experience and bring that knowledge back to their classrooms and communities.

The Fellows will travel later this year on in-depth, eight- to 14-day expeditions to locations including Arctic Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, the Canadian Maritimes and Antarctica. They will experience firsthand the landscapes, wildlife and cultures unique to these parts of the world, including formidable glaciers, polar bears and penguins, through hiking, kayaking, Zodiac excursions and cultural outings. Led by expert Lindblad-National Geographic expedition team members, including Lindblad naturalists, a National Geographic photographer and an undersea specialist, the Fellows will gain a wealth of knowledge to develop activities and lesson plans for their classrooms and to share with professional colleagues and communities upon returning home.

Before their expeditions, the Fellows will travel to Washington, D.C., for a pre-voyage workshop with hands-on sessions on outreach planning and photography as well as opportunities to learn about the ship, meet Lindblad Expeditions’ naturalists and network with previous years’ Fellows to maximize their experience.

“National Geographic is devoted to inspiring people to care about the planet, and for decades we’ve focused on K-12 education as one of the primary means to that end,” said Gary Knell, National Geographic Society president and CEO. “Not only does the Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program allow these teachers to continue their education and training, but it provides innovative ways for them to interact with and influence their students, reaching a new generation of future leaders and explorers.”

“For years, this program has recognized outstanding educators who are committed to improving

geographic education and ensuring that tomorrow’s leaders are responsible stewards of our ocean and our planet,” said Sven-Olof Lindblad, founder of Lindblad Expeditions. “We are delighted to provide these teachers with the opportunity to join us on our expeditions and honored to support a group of Fellows so strongly committed to geographic education.”

This is the eighth year of the Fellow Program, established to honor former National Geographic Society Chairman Gilbert M. Grosvenor’s lifetime commitment to geographic education. The expeditions aboard National Geographic Explorer were donated in perpetuity to the National Geographic Society by Sven-Olof Lindblad and Lindblad Expeditions to mark Grosvenor’s 75th birthday in 2006 and to honor his service to enhancing and improving geographic education across the United States. Additional support for the program is provided by Fund for Teachers, Google and private funders.

About the National Geographic Society

Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. With a mission to inspire people to care about the planet, the member-supported Society offers a community for members to get closer to explorers, connect with other members and help make a difference. The Society reaches more than 500 million people worldwide each month through its media platforms, products and events. National Geographic has funded more than 11,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

About Lindblad Expeditions        

Lindblad Expeditions, specialists in expedition travel, offers voyages in the Galápagos, Antarctica, the Arctic, Baja California, Alaska, Australia, Costa Rica & Panama, the Amazon, Southeast Asia & Pacific, Africa, Indian Ocean, Europe, Mediterranean and beyond. Lindblad Expeditions works in alliance with the National Geographic Society to inspire travelers to explore and care about the planet. As pioneers of global exploration, their collaboration in research, technology and conservation provides extraordinary travel experiences and disseminates geographic knowledge around the globe. Lindblad Expeditions‐National Geographic has won numerous awards and accolades, most recently in 2013: Condé Nast Traveler World Savers “Doing it All” Award; Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Poll – Top Cruise Line; Travel & Leisure World’s Best Awards – Top Small Ship Cruise Lines; Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards – Best For Adventure Cruise Line; and the Travel & Leisure Global Vision Award: Leadership.