Getting Started

Getting started is as simple as 1, 2, 3:

1. Please carefully review the guidelines and resources on this website by October 25, 2017.

2. Next, please complete your pre-collaboration reflection by October 25.

3. Finally, we invite you to reach out to your Explorer partner and begin collaborating! (If you don’t hear back from your partner after two weeks, please let us know.)

(As we mentioned in the application, this experience will not be controlled or heavily facilitated by National Geographic. Please follow the framework set by the website, but feel free to be creative and self-directed in making this experience the best it can be for your pair!

Communication Tips

Don't forget to introduce yourself! Below is an example of an introductory email to your Explorer partner. Feel free to copy and paste while also adding in your own personal touches.

Dear NAME,

I'm excited to meet you! I'm NAME, a SUBJ/GRADE teacher in LOCATION. I've been matched with you for National Geographic's "Explorer Exchange" pilot, which was created as part of the Young Explorer Leadership Program you are a part of. I'm looking forward to working together this school year.

Would you like to arrange a time to chat on the phone or over Skype so we can get to know each other a bit and begin discussing our goals for this collaboration? I'm available TIMES and DATES. Please let me know a time that might work for you.

Thank you!

Plan ahead, but be flexible. By November, we recommend having a discussion with the Explorer to discuss roughly how and when you'd like to tackle the challenges. However, be open to plans evolving as you go.

Please be considerate of one another's time. The Explorer you are paired with is participating in a broader program with National Geographic called the Young Explorer Leadership Program. They have additional deliverables and responsibilities beyond those of the Explorer Exchange, just like you have a million things you're juggling on any given week. Please be mindful of each other's time while collaborating.

Tip: You may be in different time zones! Many of the Explorers are from countries outside of North America. It's likely they'll be in a different time zone than you.

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