the life of an explorer

This session can be tailored to meet a wide range of learning outcomes, from small bespoke classroom sessions, to whole school assemblies. I love talking about travel and adventure, and this is an opportunity to bring that passion and excitement into your school. Previous sessions have involved Q&A opportunities with students, adventure equipment demonstrations, and presentations/story telling from my life as an explorer

(more details about adventures which I have undertaken can be found here).

Our Dynamic Planet

Ever wondered what it feels like to poke lava with a stick? Want to know the best way to try and figure out if a volcano is going to erupt? What do volcanoes smell like? Well I can tell you! Volcanoes are one of my real geographical passions, and I love sharing my stories of living in their shadow during my time spent working as a volcanologist in Mexico and the Caribbean island of Montserrat. Sessions in the past have included looking at real life lava samples, and running a decision making exercise to try and evaluate volcanic risk.

Mapping overland journeys

If you’re looking for interesting ways to improve your student’s atlas skills - challenge them to map one of my overland journeys and then hear the stories behind each one of the places! From UK based cycling adventures to bus trips crossing Africa, this session can be differentiated to meet the needs or your class. Previous sessions have included elements of maths to work out distance, speeds and times of my trips, and discussions of what I have inside my bike panniers when cycle touring.

Life in the rainforest

Rainforests are amazing places, and we can learn so much from them! Hear about all the amazing plants and animals that live there, and also some of the problems facing these special environments. Want to know how to live in the rainforest? I can bring my jungle bag into your classroom and show your students all of the kit I take with me. Previous sessions have included kit demonstrations and even setting up a jungle ‘camp’ in the school grounds! (See Outdoor Sessions for more information)

Shipwrecked on a tropical island!

What is life like in one of the smallest countries in the world? Having spent a year living and working in the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu, I’ve definitely got a few stories to tell! Tuvalu is the fourth smallest country in the world, and with a high point of just 4m above sea level it is one of the places most at risk of sea level rise. If you’re looking for a real life case study about the reality of climate change, or think your students might enjoy hearing stories from this special part of the world, then this session could be for you!

For more information about my time living in Tuvalu you can click here.

Environment / Country case studies

My travels and adventures have taken me to a range of different climates and environments from tropical jungles, to high altitude mountains via volcanoes, deserts, and savannah. If you are studying environments or ecosystems and you want your students to understand what it’s like to live, work, or travel in these different environments, then I can create a session for you. Similarly if your students are studying a specific country and you’re looking for an opportunity for them to speak to someone who has been there, then why not get in touch and see if I’ve been!

Map skills and why they’re useful

Tell someone you’re learning about geography and they’ll inevitably ask you what you know about maps (or ask you to name capital cities!) but learning how to use maps can truly open up a whole world of adventure. From basic map reading right up to creating a bespoke orienteering route around your school site (or further afield if available) if you want to add another dimension to teaching your students about maps and navigation, then this session could be for you.