The most democratic goal of education is to develop engaged citizens who are able to investigate compelling questions about their community and the world around them.

National Geographic has developed the Geo-Inquiry Process as one way to achieve this goal by positioning students to develop the attitudes, skills, knowledge, and tools of geographers, scientists, and active citizens. The Geo-Inquiry Process provides a systematic way to investigate and understand the world through the patterns, processes, and interactions between human and natural systems, take action on issues, and make a difference in communities.

In this course, you will dive into a key step of the Geo-Inquiry Process–collecting data–as you explore the plastic waste crisis. Two National Geographic Expeditions will provide context and inspiration for the importance of data collection in current research: Sea to Source and Mount Everest.