This third stage of the i2P World Expedition Series is modeled on the same platform as the highly celebrated 2009 Baffin Island and 2010 Tunisia Youth Expeditions, with all three in dramatically contrasting locales – the Arctic, the Sahara Desert, and now the Amazon Jungle! In October 2010, four i2P Youth Ambassadors will join Ray Zahab, along with fellow i2P ambassadors and adventurers, in this incredible journey through the Tapajos National Forest. Youth ambassadors will trek for up to 8 days - and nearly 200kms – through incredibly dense jungle, swamps and oppressive humidity in a quest to study and learn about the culture and biodiversity of the region.
Following the mysterious and legendary Tapajos River, The Tapajos National Forest is rich not only in culture and history, but is also one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. This will be a unique experience for students across North America and around the world to engage in, and learn about one of the planet's most important social and environmental topics – Biodiversity. The Baffin Island Youth Expedition had Youth Ambassadors trekking among glaciers containing millions of liters of water, while Running Tunisia took them to an arid region of the planet where water is a precious resource, and now the Youth Ambassadors will be on expedition amongst the vast wilderness of the Amazon.
As part of the impossible2Possible i2P World Expedition Series, the Amazon expedition will be preceded by an engaging challenge based learning project for schools in Canada and the U.S.A. Expedition Amazon will raise funding for a school construction project in the Floresta Nacional do Tapajos (FLONA), a protected area of rainforest in the region of Santarem. This region is home to over 22 communities; i2P hopes to be able to provide a designated learning facility for children in the region.
Accompanying all impossible2Possible expeditions is the "i2P Experiential Learning Program". This advanced education resource program spans the preparation and execution of world class expeditions, giving students access like never before through live streaming video reports, photos and video journals from the field. This unparalleled access enables students to see what it takes to prepare mentally and physically to push beyond our perceived limits. Starting in September and lasting until November, i2P will transport students from classrooms all over world to an amazing adventure in the Amazon! The interactive program is designed as a two-way street of communication from the classroom to the expedition, and likewise from the expedition to the classroom. Students engage in not only an educational experience, but also discover what life is like for cultures around the globe. Participating classes will get an opportunity to ask questions and have them answered either through email or live streaming video!
The i2P Experiential Learning Program - which has been touted by Apple Distinguished Educators as truly, "21st century learning," and "ground breaking" - takes steps into the current technological age with live, streaming video. Once again, Youth Ambassadors will communicate directly with their peers, and will facilitate interaction between students in North America and cultures of the Amazon! i2P's Education Director, Dr. Ewan Affleck has teamed up with educators, scientists, and advisors to create captivating educational modules that bring everyone alongside the expedition team as they cross some of the harshest terrain on Earth.
