On Tuesday 8th June 2021, The Global Classroom is hosting our eighth digital event – The Big Picture. This digital classroom coincides with World Ocean Day and World Environment Day, and aims to explore our world and the universe beyond. Featuring guest speakers from National Geographic and the Smithsonian Institute, The Big Picture is sure to inspire the adventurers of the future.

Exploring our incredible world

Delivered by Scarisbrick Hall School, The Big Picture will address themes of exploration and adventure. We’re thrilled that this event is presented in partnership with the World Health Organisation, and is supported by UNICEF. 

During this classroom, our panel of guest speakers will look to inspire a new generation of explorers, encouraging them to search for adventures both at home and beyond. The Big Picture will challenge our global students to dream about an exciting future, inspiring them to reach for the stars. 

The Global Classroom aims to inspire and unify global thought whilst promoting and strengthening wellbeing amongst our young people. We also endeavour to ignite a spirit of exploration in learners across the globe, and we’re thrilled that the following guest speakers will be joining us in this mission during The Big Picture: 

• Dr Katie Stack Morgan: NASA Research Scientist
• Hanli Prinsloo: Conservationist and Freediver
• Josh Bernstein: American Explorer, Author and TV Host
• Gab Mejia: National Geographic Explorer
• Katherine Blanchard: Program Manager with The Smithsonian Institution

Introducing Dr Katie Stack Morgan

Dr Katie Stack Morgan is a research scientist and Mars geologist based in the USA.  She is currently working in partnership with NASA across a variety of projects, including Mars 2020 and the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity mission.

For her work on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover mission, Dr Katie was named on the 2013 Forbes List of 30 Under 30. She has also received several NASA Group Achievement Awards and the NASA Software of the Year Award.

The Big Picture is Dr Katie’s first time in The Global Classroom, and we cannot wait to hear about her exploration of the universe beyond our world. 

Introducing Hanli Prinsloo

Born in South Africa, Hanli is a freediver, speaker, writer and ocean conservationist. Her adventures usually take her beneath the surface of the ocean, exploring the world under the sea. During her competitive freediving years, Hanli could hold her breath underwater for almost six minutes.

Hanli is also the founder and director of her own ocean conservation trust, I Am Water. The trust aims to promote and progress ocean conservation through transformative ocean experiences. 

The Global Classroom were thrilled to have Hanli Prinsloo featured in our seventh classroom – Deep Breath – which took place on World Breathing Day – April 11th 2021. We cannot wait to welcome her back for The Big Picture. 

Introducing Josh Bernstein

Based in America, Josh Bernstein is an explorer, anthropologist, author, survival expert, executive producer,  and TV host. 

Josh is perhaps best known for his role hosting Digging for the Truth on the History Channel. He also had his own show with the Discovery Channel, called Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein. These TV shows focused on his interest in adventure and archaeology alongside exploring ancient mysteries across the globe. 

The Global Classroom is thrilled to welcome Josh to our digital classroom for the first time during The Big Picture.

Introducing Katherine Blanchard

Working for The Smithsonian Science Education Centre, Katherine manages and supports a variety of programs to support teachers and districts to increase awareness of STEM education.

We were thrilled to welcome Katherine as a guest speaker for One Global Mind, and cannot wait to welcome her back for our upcoming classroom. 

Introducing Gab Mejia

Gab Mejia is a Filipino conservation photographer, and environmental storyteller. He is also an international award-winning photographer, and a National Geographic Explorer. He enjoys covering stories on nature, the climate crisis, and indigenous people.

He is the co-founder and Communications and Outreach Lead of Youth Engaged in Wetlands. This is a global youth network advocating for the conservation of wetlands and natural-climate solutions around the world.

Introducing Andrew Brennen

With a core belief that young people, when empowered, can use their perspectives and experiences to build a better world, Andrew Brennen has launched and led several initiatives. 

Andrew co-founded Prichard Committee Student Voice Team as a high school junior in Lexington, Kentucky, which serves as a national model for how young people can hold educational institutions accountable and consists of over 150 young people. 

Andrew has been involved with previous Global Classroom classroom events, including One Global Mind and One Global Body. 

Explore The Big Picture

Join us on June 8th 2021 at 16:30 BST for The Big Picture, where our guest speakers will be highlighting the importance of World Environment Day and how their work has brought a positive impact to the world around us, helping us to understand more about the universe and how we fit within it. 

Visit our website for the latest classroom updates, and we look forward to you joining us for The Big Picture.