Did you know you can get closer to the Moon without leaving Earth? All you need to do is travel to Ecuador and climb Mount Chimborazo. While Mount Everest is the tallest mountain from sea level, Chimborazo’s peak is actually the closest point on Earth to the Moon. This is because Earth isn’t a perfect sphere; it’s a bit chubby in the middle, which is called the equator. Chimborazo is near the equator, so its peak sticks out farther into space than Everest’s. So, if you climb Chimborazo, you’ll be a tiny bit closer to the Moon!
In the North Sea, off the coast of England, there’s a tiny platform called Sealand, the world’s smallest country. It was originally built as a fort during World War II. In the 1960s, a man named Paddy Roy Bates claimed it as his own country, complete with a flag, currency, and even a soccer team! Although Sealand only has one official resident, people from other countries join its soccer team to compete in tournaments. It’s a unique place with a fascinating story!
In the town of Baarle, the border between Belgium and the Netherlands runs right through some buildings. This means a house can have two addresses, one in each country! The owners of such a house can choose which country to get their utilities from, like gas and water, depending on where it’s cheaper. It’s a quirky setup that makes Baarle a special place to visit.
In Senegal, Africa, there’s a lake called Lake Retba, famous for its bright pink water. The pink color comes from tiny algae that produce red pigments. The lake is also super salty, making it one of the saltiest lakes in the world. If you visit during the dry season from November to June, you’ll see the lake at its brightest pink. It’s a stunning sight that looks like something from a sci-fi movie!
In the Arctic region of Canada, there’s a place called the Smoking Hills, where the ground has been smoking for hundreds of years. This isn’t because of a volcano, but because the soil contains sulfur and coal. When these materials mix with oxygen, they can catch fire and keep burning. The environment here is harsh, with toxic smoke and extreme temperatures, so it’s not a place for a casual visit!
New Zealand is known for its beautiful landscapes, but it also has a hidden treasure underground. In some caves on the North Island, you can find glowworms that light up the cave ceilings like stars. These glowworms are the larvae of a special type of fungus gnat. Touring these caves feels like floating through a galaxy, with thousands of tiny lights reflecting in the water below. It’s a magical experience!
Mexico is home to the Cave of Crystals, where you’ll find enormous selenite crystals. Some are as long as 39 feet and weigh up to 55 tons! These crystals formed over millions of years in hot, mineral-rich water. Exploring the cave is challenging due to high temperatures, but it’s an extraordinary place that makes people look tiny next to the giant crystals.
Mauritius has a stunning optical illusion that looks like an underwater waterfall. This illusion is created by the ocean floor’s shape and the way currents push sand and particles over the edge. While it’s not a real waterfall, it’s a cool sight to see from a boat!
Near the town of Gryfino in Poland, there’s a forest of pine trees with strange, bent bases. During the day, these trees look whimsical, but at night, the forest takes on a spooky vibe. Scientists aren’t sure why the trees are bent like this, adding to the mystery of the Crooked Forest. Would you visit during the day or at night?
Using clay or paper mache, build a 3D model of Mount Chimborazo. Pay attention to its location near the equator and explain why it’s the closest point on Earth to the Moon. Present your model to the class and share what makes Chimborazo unique compared to Mount Everest.
Inspired by Sealand, create your own micro-nation. Decide on a name, design a flag, and come up with a few laws or customs. Share your micro-nation with the class and explain what makes it special and unique.
Draw a map of the town of Baarle, highlighting the unusual borders between Belgium and the Netherlands. Mark the houses with two addresses and discuss how the residents might choose their utilities. Present your map and findings to the class.
Conduct a simple science experiment to understand why Lake Retba is pink. Use water, salt, and food coloring to simulate the lake’s conditions. Observe how the color changes with different amounts of salt and discuss the role of algae in the real lake.
Imagine a story that takes place in the Crooked Forest of Poland. Write about an adventure or mystery involving the bent trees. Share your story with the class and discuss what you think causes the trees to grow in such a unique way.
Moon – The natural satellite that orbits the Earth, reflecting light from the Sun. – The moon appears bright in the night sky because it reflects sunlight.
Earth – The third planet from the Sun, which we live on, and is mostly covered with water. – Earth is the only planet in our solar system known to support life.
Equator – An imaginary line around the middle of the Earth, equally distant from the North and South Poles. – Countries near the equator often have warm climates all year round.
Lake – A large body of water surrounded by land. – We went on a picnic by the lake and watched the ducks swim.
Algae – Simple plants that live in water and can be green, red, or brown. – Algae can often be seen floating on the surface of ponds and lakes.
Canada – A country in North America known for its vast landscapes and natural beauty. – Canada is famous for its forests, mountains, and lakes.
Caves – Natural underground spaces, often formed by the erosion of rock. – We explored the caves and saw many interesting rock formations.
Crystals – Solid materials whose atoms are arranged in a highly ordered structure, forming shapes with flat surfaces. – The crystals in the cave sparkled when the flashlight shone on them.
Illusion – A thing that is or is likely to be wrongly perceived or interpreted by the senses. – The mirage in the desert was an illusion caused by the heat.
Forest – A large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth. – We hiked through the forest and listened to the sounds of birds and insects.
