Four hundred years ago, Elizabethan explorer Sir Walter Raleigh crossed the Atlantic Ocean in search of a place called El Dorado.
It was a massive expedition and took many months to complete.
Raleigh took over 70 men with him and needed to plan the trip carefully, including what to take with him.
Four centuries later and it has taken almost a year for expedition leader Ben Major to plan an expedition for the Serious Explorers, so that they can follow in Raleigh's footsteps.
Ben talks about the research that is necessary prior to planning and the flexible nature of plans in order to respond to whatever happens.
The Serious Explorers learn about what they should wear, how to pack rucksacks and what they should carry at all times in their safety belt kits.
This clip is from the series Seriously Raleigh.
Teacher Notes
Before watching the clip, children could locate where El Dorado is, using globes and atlases.
Based on where it is located, children could be challenged to predict what the landscape and climatic conditions might be like.
Children could also research about Sir Walter Raleigh, and begin to think about the challenges he may have faced when leading the expedition.
After watching the clip, children could then think about the challenges that the modern day explorers faced.
They could identify if they were the same or different from the ones faced by Sir Walter Raleigh.
The children could be given an area from the world which they are going to lead an expedition to.
In groups, they could research all about the area, including climates and landscapes.
They could then decide where they will travel to, how they will get there, what they would like to see and do, what they will do for food and the equipment they would need to take.
This could be written up as a booklet or presented to the class as a presentation.
Curriculum Notes
This clip is suitable for teaching Geography at KS2 and KS3 Level in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and at 2nd and 3rd Level in Scotland.
More from Seriously Raleigh:
Expedition safety. video
The Serious Explorers must learn how to stay safe whilst retracing Raleigh's route to Guyana.
Expedition to Guyana - endangered animals in the rainforest. video
The explorers meet the region's most endangered animals, the caiman and the harpy eagle.
Expedition to Guyana - exploring Mount Roraima. video
The Serious Explorers have come to Mount Roraima to relive the legend of Raleigh.
Expedition to Guyana - life in the rainforest. video
The Serious Explorers take a look at the rainforest in Guyana, a place that has hardly changed since Raleigh’s day.
Expedition to Guyana - Mount Roraima (no narration) video
Extraordinary and stunning views of the imposing and magnificent Mount Roraima. Aerial views capture the magnificence of the mountain.
Expedition to Guyana - navigating an ocean journey. video
The Serious Explorers team are recreating Sir Walter Raleigh's ocean journey in search of El Dorado. They spend four days at sea learning about navigation tools.
Expedition to Guyana - recreating Sir Walter Raleigh's search for El Dorado. video
The Serious Explorers team try out gold panning whilst following in Raleigh’s footsteps.
Expedition to Guyana - rivers and waterfalls (no narration) video
Views of the rivers running through the rainforest of Guyana and a glimpse into the ways in which the rivers support Guyana's rainforest communities.
Expedition to Guyana - spending a night in the rainforest. video
The Serious Explorers spend a night in the Guyana rainforest. The UK adventurers learn to make shelters and set animal traps.
Expedition to Guyana - the Makushi tribespeople. video
The explorers join in a traditional Makushi celebration and go hunting with the tribesmen, relying on their help.
Expedition to Guyana - transportation for local tribespeople. video
The Serious Explorers try using traditional canoes like the ones Raleigh’s team would have used over four hundred years ago.
