The knicks just won the NBA Basketball Championship for the first time in 53 years, the energy and vibes of the World Cup are permeating the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and we are all getting ready to embrace summer vacation, which is a perfect time for me to introduce the expedition I will be on this summer (2026) and what I hope we can all learn from it.
If you’ve been paying any attention to the news in the last few years, you may have heard a little bit about the world’s largest island located in the Artic Circle; Greenland. A strategically located chunk of land in the North Atlantic, Greenland is approximately 836,000 square miles large, with around 80% of it covered by ice. It is considered an autonomous territory within the Danish Kingdom, though due to its proximity to North America, specifically Canada, it has remained vital to U.S., European, and Canadian security since World War II. During the war, the United States utilized it for aircraft bases and weather stations. Sounds silly, but knowing what the weather would be would provide the Allies with a big advantage for conducting battles and invasions during the war. Click here if you want to read more about Greenland, the United States, and World War II.
If you’d like a quick video recap of Greenland’s role as a Frontline during World War II, watch the video below.
In addition to its history, Greenland plays an important role today in how we are coming to understand climate change. As part of my expedition, I will be studying alongside glaciologists who are specialists in studying ice and glaciers. Much of this science will be new to me, but as a social studies teacher, I know its important for all of us to better understand the significance of the Greenland ice cap to become better civically engaged global citizens.
For an introduction to what an ice cap is, click here
For a brief introduction to how climate change can be studied by better understanding Greenland, check out this video below!
Let me know what you’d like to learn about Greenland and put your questions in the comments below!
Reminder: I set sail for Greenland on July 26 aboard the National Geographic Endurance ship.
2 Responses to Greenland or Nowhere
Wow, over 70 countries, that’s a lot of traveling! It must be really fun gaining new experiences and opening yourself to new cultures and ideas. I want to do that when I’m older. Maybe I missed it from skimming through your vlog but with all of your traveling have you learned any languages? How’d you even get to teach in Brazil?! Also as for Greenland, maybe it’s the name “Green-“, but I was really surprised by the fact that it’s covered by 80% ice. How ironic! I thought Iceland was the opposite of Greenland. Why would they even give Greenland that name? Anyways, I hope you have an amazing time traveling. Can’t wait to learn about APUSH this upcoming year.
-Alice P.
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Hi Alice,
Thanks for the comment. Just catching up on replying now. Unfortunately, as much as I travel, I am terrible with picking up new languages. I continuosly try to learn Spanish but it is a struggle. The Brazil thing was a program ten years ago where I traveled there and was paired with a Brazilian teacher (and another American teacher) who hosted me in her school for 3 weeks. It was fun!
As far as Greenland and Iceland, they named it Greenland to try and encourage Danish people to want to settle there, but yes the two should be the opposite.
Look forward to seeing you next week, and if you’re intersted in travel, Ms. Penyy and I have a club called Global Ambassadors- I’ll be talking about this more in class.
Dr. Weller 🙂
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