Storytelling Series 2026
Thursdays, 10 AM or 2 PM / ET
An interactive multi-week program with live events and activities designed for your students to explore the power of storytelling!
What's Included In This Free Series
- Interactive session with Q&A
- Educator Guide with hands on "mission" activities
- Access to event recording
- Certificate of completion
Credit: John Stanmeyer
About This Series
Discover the power of storytelling with our 5-part Storytelling Series. Students will learn how National Geographic Explorers look and listen for compelling real-world stories and share those stories with audiences through narrative, photography, and video. Each event in the series includes a live presentation, pop quizzes, and a Q&A session. After the event, guide your students through experiential “mission” activities where they will practice finding and telling powerful stories from their own lives and communities.
The program aligns strongly with English Language Arts and Social Studies standards. Students will practice careful listening, developing claims from evidence, and creating well-organized stories.
Mark your calendar and join us for a preparatory webinar for all participating educators on Wednesday, January 14th, at 7 PM Eastern. During this webinar, we will cover everything you need to know about the Storytelling Series from what to expect during the live events with our National Geographic Explorers to how to guide your students through the weekly “mission” activities. Details to join the webinar will be sent upon registration.
All Events in This Series
Stories on Foot
Journey with journalist Paul Salopek as he treks across the globe telling the powerful stories of people he meets along the way.
Grade: 3 - 8 / Age: 8 - 14
Feb 26, 2026
Unhidden Voices of History
Join journalist James Edward Mills to uncover the hidden history of often overlooked communities.
Grade: 3 - 8 / Age: 8 - 14
Feb 19, 2026
Cultural Lens of Food
Explore sustainable fisheries through the cultural lens of Korean food with filmmaker Sonya Lee.
Grade: 3 - 8 / Age: 8 - 14
Feb 5, 2026
Animating My Memory
Join animator Manu Akatsa as he brings the songs of his childhood to life through animation.
Grade: 3 - 8 / Age: 8 - 14
Jan 29, 2026
Resources
Storytelling Series 2026: Program Guide
Educator Mission Guide: details on the weekly “mission” activities
Explorer Mindset Learning Framework
Viewing Instructions: prepare for the event with these tips.
Featured Explorers
National Geographic Explorers are an international community of changemakers, who use the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world, while inspiring the next generation to do the same.
Andrea Villarreal Rodríguez
As a filmmaker and photographer, Andrea Villarreal Rodriguez's work is shaped by her deep connection to the mountains and rivers of her hometown
Manu Akatsa
Manu Akatsa is a documentary filmmaker, cinematographer, and animator with a passion for natural history and cultural preservation.
Sonya Lee
Sonya Lee (she/her) is a Korean-Canadian filmmaker dedicated to stories that intersect science, nature, people and culture.