New National Geographic site offers families with free educational, fun activities
As the coronavirus global pandemic has resulted in widespread school closures and stay-at-home mandates,National Geographic has created NatGeo@Home, a free centralized digital resource for families looking to fill the gap with practical, educational, and entertaining content designed to keep families connected to the natural world.
The site combines the educational resources of the National Geographic Society with the fun and informational offerings of National Geographic Kids. The content ranges from boredom busters and games, to videos and live daily talks with National Geographic Explorers
“National Geographic has a long-standing legacy of using the power of storytelling to make a difference,” said Gary Knell, chairman of National Geographic Partners. “As we have watched this global pandemic unfold, we have felt compelled to do just that- make a difference through the science-based journalism and content development for which we are so well known. We developed NatGeo@Home to support and inspire some of the heroes that have emerged from this crisis—parents and teachers—even if school is not in session. Working in tandem with our partners at the National Geographic Society and Disney gives us the ability to deliver the full scope of our brand to homes all over the world.”
“That’s why our goal here is to keep kids of all ages educated, entertained, and inspired, helping them become global stewards of the future,” said Rachel Buchholz, editor in chief and vice president of National Geographic Kids.
NatGeo@Home also provides access to the National Geographic Society’s Learn at Home portal. “To support educators and families, we’ve curated K-12 resources designed to spark curiosity, engage learners, and ignite the spirit of exploration by bringing the wonder of the world to students,” said Dr. Vicki Phillips, executive vice president and chief education officer at the National Geographic Society. The site is also home to Explorer Classroom, which connects learners to National Geographic Explorers in live video talks each weekday at 2 p.m. EDT as they share experiences from around the world on topics including wildlife, ocean conservation, photography, space exploration and more.
NatGeo@Home also provides families expert advice and information to help navigate this challenging time, including access to National Geographic’s in-depth reporting on COVID-19. Recent stories including teleworking with kids and a useful “Coronavirus 101” explainer to help parents advance their own understanding of the virus as well as better equip them to answer questions from their children.
