Explorers and trappers followed the rivers at first, but Nebraska's waters were not good for all boats. Paths blazed by Native Americans became the basis for overland routes, including the Oregon Trail. Settlers loaded prairie schooners and headed west over the sea of grass across the Platte Valley. Some perished due to illness or accident. Some sought free land, some sought California gold. Mormons blazed their own trail to escape persecution, wintering near Omaha.

This article provides an overview of orienteering and geocaching as well as suggestions for incorporating these activities into elementary classrooms

The significance of -- Crossing of the Fathers and Padre Bay -- is discussed in this media item extracted from the 22-part video series THE GEOGRAPHY OF UTAH, conceived and written by Albert L. Fisher, PhD (University of Utah). The series encompasses the political, cultural, historical and sociological geography of the state of Utah. It describes the activities, the land and the people. Much of the video material was videotaped on location throughout the state of Utah, giving the student and interested viewer valuable field trip experiences. === The Crossing of the Fathers is where the Dominguez-Escalante party forded the Colorado River in November 1776 on their return trip to Santa Fe. It now lies under hundreds of feet of water in present-day Padre Bay, Lake Powell. ===

A view of -- Dominguez-Escalante Expedition -- is presented in this media item extracted from the 22-part video series THE GEOGRAPHY OF UTAH, conceived and written by Albert L. Fisher, PhD (University of Utah). The series encompasses the political, cultural, historical and sociological geography of the state of Utah. It describes the activities, the land and the people. Much of the video material was videotaped on location throughout the state of Utah, giving the student and interested viewer valuable field trip experiences.

This article includes integrated lessons, activities, and ideas for teaching about exploration and polar explorers in the elementary classroom.

In this lesson students compare three maps, one from 1491, one from 1570, and one from 1794 to note differences and discus why the maps changed over time.  This in turn can introduce wider discussions of exploration of the Americas. Thumbnail: World map by Martellus, British Library, CC0, via Wikimedia

The history of Hastings Cutoff route to San Francisco is summarized in this media item extracted from the 20-part video series A PEOPLES' HISTORY OF UTAH, written and hosted by Dean L. May, PhD (University of Utah). The series provides a sweeping view of Utah's past, from its earliest known desert beginning--from its prehistory, to the pioneer era, to the transformation from territory to state, to its critical role in the world war years and beyond.

The history of -- Trapping route of E. Provost, 1824-25 -- is summarized in this media item extracted from the 20-part video series A PEOPLES' HISTORY OF UTAH, written and hosted by Dean L. May, PhD (University of Utah). The series provides a sweeping view of Utah's past, from its earliest known desert beginning--from its prehistory, to the pioneer era, to the transformation from territory to state, to its critical role in the world war years and beyond.

The history of -- Trapping route of Jedediah Smith, 1820s -- is summarized in this media item extracted from the 20-part video series A PEOPLES' HISTORY OF UTAH, written and hosted by Dean L. May, PhD (University of Utah). The series provides a sweeping view of Utah's past, from its earliest known desert beginning--from its prehistory, to the pioneer era, to the transformation from territory to state, to its critical role in the world war years and beyond.

The history of -- Trapping route of Jedediah Smith, 1825 -- is summarized in this media item extracted from the 20-part video series A PEOPLES' HISTORY OF UTAH, written and hosted by Dean L. May, PhD (University of Utah). The series provides a sweeping view of Utah's past, from its earliest known desert beginning--from its prehistory, to the pioneer era, to the transformation from territory to state, to its critical role in the world war years and beyond.

The history of -- Trapping route of Jedediah Smith, 1827 -- is summarized in this media item extracted from the 20-part video series A PEOPLES' HISTORY OF UTAH, written and hosted by Dean L. May, PhD (University of Utah). The series provides a sweeping view of Utah's past, from its earliest known desert beginning--from its prehistory, to the pioneer era, to the transformation from territory to state, to its critical role in the world war years and beyond.

The history of -- Trapping route of Peter S. Ogden, 1820s -- is summarized in this media item extracted from the 20-part video series A PEOPLES' HISTORY OF UTAH, written and hosted by Dean L. May, PhD (University of Utah). The series provides a sweeping view of Utah's past, from its earliest known desert beginning--from its prehistory, to the pioneer era, to the transformation from territory to state, to its critical role in the world war years and beyond.

The history of -- Dominguez-Escalante Rt., Old Spanish Trail -- is summarized in this media item extracted from the 20-part video series A PEOPLES' HISTORY OF UTAH, written and hosted by Dean L. May, PhD (University of Utah). The series provides a sweeping view of Utah's past, from its earliest known desert beginning--from its prehistory, to the pioneer era, to the transformation from territory to state, to its critical role in the world war years and beyond.

The history of -- Spanish overland expeditions routes -- is summarized in this media item extracted from the 20-part video series A PEOPLES' HISTORY OF UTAH, written and hosted by Dean L. May, PhD (University of Utah). The series provides a sweeping view of Utah's past, from its earliest known desert beginning--from its prehistory, to the pioneer era, to the transformation from territory to state, to its critical role in the world war years and beyond.

This issue of the free online magazine, Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears, explores the historical and current exploration of the Arctic and Antarctica and provides resources that help elementary teachers incorporate a study of polar explorers into their curriculum.

Students will list three or more types of evidence of prehistoric cultures that encouraged archaeologists to investigate the marshes around the Great Salt Lake. Students will also explain why it is important not to disturb archaeological remains.

An historical image of -- Boats of Powell Expedition -- is provided in conjunction with the articles from the book UTAH HISTORY ENCYCLOPEDIA, published in celebration of Utah's Centennial (1996) and edited by Allan Kent Powell. The Utah State Historical Society generously granted rights to display hundreds of images from their collections.

The history of -- Colorado Plateau -- is examined in an article provided as a PDF document. This article is extracted from the book UTAH HISTORY ENCYCLOPEDIA, published in celebration of Utah's Centennial (1996) and edited by Allan Kent Powell. Over two hundred contributors wrote about the individuals, organizations, locations, institutions, and topics important to Utah history.

The history of -- Colorado River -- is examined in an article provided as a PDF document. This article is extracted from the book UTAH HISTORY ENCYCLOPEDIA, published in celebration of Utah's Centennial (1996) and edited by Allan Kent Powell. Over two hundred contributors wrote about the individuals, organizations, locations, institutions, and topics important to Utah history.