Taking youth and educators through the history and culture
of the United States -- via the Internet!
The Odyssey is an Internet-based educational non-profit. Our mission is to use the Internet to promote global awareness among youth and involve them in activities to create
positive change in the world. Our work has garnered us numerous awards and notable mentions
from such organizations as the US State Department, Education World, USA Today, Excite, and the Microsoft Encarta Schoolhouse, among others.
Our first major project, the World Trek - launched in January 1999 and ended August, 2000 - took students on an otherwise impossible field trip - a two-year Trek around the world. More than 2000 classes in over 80 countries have traveled the world via The Odyssey website, their connection to a Team of five educators doing a real two-year World Trek. The Trekkers are outfitted with laptops and digital cameras to document their experiences and the people and places they visit.
The photos, video, audio, and text they capture are posted on the website twice a week for students to follow along, free of charge. In addition to visiting sites of historic and cultural significance, Team Members also interview organizations and people working towards positive change – from youth leaders, to international non-profits, to peace and human rights activists, to prominent figures such as writers and Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. Students can also interact with the Team and youth around the world via live chats, e-mail, polls, and discussion boards.
- For more information on the World Trek, please visit the World Trek website.
September, 2000, The Odyssey launched its current major project – The United States Trek. The US Trek brings US History to life for hundreds of thousands of students who are following along with our ten US Trek Team Members. The Trek will allow students to travel around the US to visit historic places, interview historic figures, and meet experts in US History, all for free via the Internet. Following the same general format as the World Trek, the core content will be supplemented by historic audio/video clips provided by PBS and the Library of Congress, live interviews with important people in American life, live chats with students nationwide, and interactive polls and discussion boards. Like the World Trek, it will be archived for use indefinitely following the Trek.
It includes information on the educational program and itinerary, a history of the organization, and a little behind-the-scenes peek!
- If you'd like to learn more, we encourage you to check out the US Trek Overview.
Or find additional specific information in one of the other main sections listed below:
©2000 The Odyssey: World Trek for Service and Education. All rights
reserved.