Epic Expeditions: Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Basin

Description

Epic Expeditions: Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Basin

Teacher: Sunshyne Hummel

Semester/Year: Spring 2027

Day and Time: Monday 2:00 – 3:00 pm

Journey across the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and explore the dynamic cultures, landscapes, and natural wonders of Southern Europe! In this interactive online expedition, students will “travel” through Greece, Italy, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean Basin—uncovering the geography, history, and science that shaped some of the world’s most influential civilizations.

Each week, we’ll visit a new region and investigate its dramatic landforms, ancient trade routes, climate zones, and cultural traditions. From Greece’s island chains and legendary earthquakes to Italy’s iconic volcanoes and the life-giving Mediterranean climate, students will explore how geography shaped history, culture, food, and settlement patterns.

This class is highly interactive and perfect for students who thrive on discovery-based learning. Activities may include virtual field trips, ancient route simulations, “merchant for a day” mapping challenges, cultural spotlights, creature and crop studies, and simple hands-on mini investigations using household items.

Along the way, students will build a Digital Mediterranean Expedition Journal with weekly reflections, images, maps, and earned passport badges documenting their travels across the Mediterranean world.

Topics Include:

• Geography of Southern Europe & the Mediterranean Basin 
• Greece’s islands, fault lines, and earthquake zones 
• Italy’s volcanoes (Vesuvius, Etna, Stromboli) 
• Mediterranean climate zones: from the Sahara to the sea 
• Ancient civilizations, trade networks & sea routes 
• Cultural traditions, foodways & regional identities 
• Ecosystems of the Mediterranean coast 
• The science of plate boundaries, climate, and biomes

Required Texts and Resources

• Standard household art supplies including: Writing utensils (pencils or erasable pens recommended)
• Additional required resources will be added at a later date. 

Course Experience

By the end of the semester, students will have created a personalized digital portfolio of the regions explored, while gaining a deeper understanding of how geography and environment shaped ancient and modern Mediterranean cultures

Technology & Learning (SAMR Model Integration)

Substitution – Digital maps, readings, and interactive notebooks replace traditional worksheets, giving students streamlined access to geography, history, and earth science materials while building essential tech-use skills.

Augmentation – High-quality videos, animations, and virtual demonstrations enhance understanding of Mediterranean climate zones, plate tectonics, and ancient trade routes—bringing concepts like Greek island geology and Italian volcanoes to life.

Modification – Students create multimedia explorations of Mediterranean civilizations, integrating maps, primary-source snippets, climate data, and images to build engaging, research-supported presentations that deepen historical and scientific understanding.

Redefinition – Virtual simulations and immersive activities allow students to retrace ancient travel routes, experience virtual tours of Pompeii or Greek archaeological sites, model earthquake and volcano hazards, and analyze how geography shaped trade networks across the Mediterranean—experiences impossible to replicate in a traditional classroom.

Want to See How This Fits Into a Bigger Plan?

This class can stand alone — or be part of a larger pathway at True North Academy.

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