In this story of learning, a group of kindergarten students participated in authentic learning experiences that fostered a deep understanding of the world surrounding them as a result of their immersion in the Out of Eden Learn Project. These kindergarten students became engrossed in understanding both themselves and the rest of the world by following the 21,000-mile, eight-year journey of journalist Paul Salopek, a man thousands of miles away. This classroom, by means of various powerful experiences, including a free an online platform developed by Harvard Project Zero and sponsored by National Geographic, connected classrooms across the world that shared a very powerful purpose: to develop empathy and an understanding of all that is different. The experience helped the teacher integrate the curriculum and go beyond standards in all disciplines. The children developed oral and written skills in their first and second language naturally as they encountered authentic opportunities to communicate. Furthermore, children developed global competencies and Habits of Mind.
