Patagonia 360

After lots of editing and behind-the-scenes "teacher" work, my class embarked on an unforgettable journey—one that didn’t require passports, airports, or long flights. With the power of VR headsets, we “traveled” to Patagonia! As someone who’s had the privilege of experiencing Patagonia firsthand, I couldn’t wait to bring its awe-inspiring beauty to my students. While we didn’t pack our bags and hop on a plane, the Patagonia VR experience brought us as close to the real thing as possible.

To kick off the day, I grouped the students into expedition teams and handed each pair a VR headset. Their excitement was contagious as they geared up for the adventure. I challenged them to explore four breathtaking locations in Patagonia while solving puzzles and completing activities to unlock clues. At the end of the journey, their mission was to earn their Patagonia Explorer Badge by piecing together the final code word.

Our first virtual stop was Staten Island, where the students marveled at king penguins and visited the Lighthouse at the End of the World. After their VR experience, the students dove into an activity about conservation efforts on the island. They read a passage, filled in key sentences, and uncovered a hidden clue word by circling specific letters—a great way to link reading comprehension with problem-solving. Next, the students explored the lush beauty of Karukinka National Park, complete with cascading waterfalls and incredible wildlife. The elephant seal coming right towards you in VR was a huge hit! Students learned about the impact of plastic pollution on this pristine environment. Solving a puzzle about sustainability gave them their next clue word. Seeing their determination reminded me of how meaningful hands-on experiences are for building awareness about global challenges.

The third stop felt extra special to me, as it featured the ship I lived on during my own expedition. The students virtually stood on the observation deck, explored the library, and even navigated the Chilean fjords alongside the captain. They used a map to answer navigation questions, collecting symbols and letters for their next clue word. Hearing them marvel at the fjords brought back memories of the stunning landscapes I had the honor of seeing up close. Our final destination was the breathtaking Bernal Glacier. Here, students worked on a math-based mystery picture activity to learn about glacial recession and sea level rise due to climate change. Each correct answer unlocked a piece of the image, leading to their fourth and final clue word.

With all four words—explorer, curious, empathetic, and empowered—entered into the Google Form on the Google Site I created, the students unlocked their Patagonia Explorer Badge. Their sense of accomplishment was palpable, and the discussions that followed about conservation and exploration made me proud.

Bringing this VR experience into my classroom wasn’t just about showing them Patagonia’s beauty—it was about inspiring them to think globally, act locally, and see themselves as part of something much bigger. This virtual journey allowed my students to see the world in a whole new way, sparking curiosity about geography, wildlife, and conservation. I feel so fortunate to have been able to share a little bit of my own Patagonia adventure with them. Who knows? Maybe one day they’ll visit it for real! 🌍💻🌿