Two explorers will attempt to summit Everest to create the biggest and most extreme classroom in the world.
Expedition 8848 will rely on Inmarsat connectivity to power a wide range of educational activity and digital content to share the adventure – from online lessons and interactive social media to podcasts and a joint venture with astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s The People’s Moon project, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
From today, over 1.5 million young people around the world will be able to take part in two weeks of lessons in the run-up to the ascent by seasoned explorer Mark Wood and filmmaker Tom Martienssen, who is recording the climb for a documentary. Wide-ranging content about the planet and our impact on it has been created by Skype in the Classroom and Lonely Planet Kids, and the education team will follow Mark as he visits monasteries and schools en route to the mountain.
Mark Wood
Mark said: “This is the first time in exploration history that explorers are able to use the latest technologies to film and communicate with students globally to take them on a virtual expedition in real time and help them to think differently about our home.
“Inmarsat satellite communication is the cornerstone to what I do as an explorer. To make this real to students by bringing them into my world is so important – they will remember this experience for the rest of their lives. The next generation know more about the impact of climate change than we do so to spark action within them is very powerful.”
Mark and Tom will carry with them an ultra-portable Cobham 710 BGAN terminal designed for live streaming, and a rugged IsatPhone 2 satellite phone which they will use to continue connecting with their audience of students in the classroom, children being home-schooled, and scouts throughout the ascent.
Mark Wood is sharing posts and images about the journey to Mount Everest
“By capturing the struggle to reach the summit my aim is to teach them to respect themselves, respect the environment, think differently about life – and have fun!” said Mark.
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