Baltimore Students Head to Antarctica for Ultimate School Trip

Eight middle school students from Baltimore, Maryland, are preparing for an extraordinary school trip that will take them thousands of miles from home to Antarctica. Instead of spending Thanksgiving break at home, the students will embark on a two-week expedition to the world’s southernmost continent, where they will participate in scientific research, observe penguin colonies and learn about the effects of climate change.

The students, who attend Paterson Park Public Charter School in Baltimore City, are scheduled to depart November 15, 2026. The expedition will give the eighth graders an opportunity to experience Antarctica firsthand while working as citizen scientists on a journey designed to combine education, environmental awareness and exploration. The group has named itself the Polar Explorers, and the trip is being described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the young students.

Eight Students Earn Their Place on the Antarctica Expedition

The eight students were not simply handed an invitation to travel. They earned their spots through a competitive application process developed by their teacher, Sabina Sully. Students interested in participating were required to submit a written application, obtain a teacher recommendation and complete a panel interview. The selection process was designed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment, curiosity and willingness to take on an unusual educational challenge.

Sully developed the idea to challenge traditional expectations about who gets opportunities to participate in international exploration and scientific discovery. She wanted students from a Baltimore public charter school to experience an environment that many people might never have the opportunity to visit. The expedition will also include teachers Sabina Sully and Elizabeth Gutting, who will accompany the students throughout the journey.

Students Will Conduct Scientific Research in Antarctica

The trip is about considerably more than sightseeing. The students will participate in educational and scientific activities designed to help them understand Antarctica’s environment and the challenges facing the region.

During the expedition, they are expected to observe penguin colonies, study ice formations and conduct thermal imaging activities. They will also work on virtual reality simulations in partnership with Towson University.

The experience will introduce the students to scientific observation, environmental research and the relationship between Antarctica and the rest of the world. Antarctica plays an important role in the global climate system. Changes involving Antarctic ice, glaciers and surrounding ocean conditions can have consequences far beyond the continent, including contributing to global sea-level changes.

For the students, seeing these environmental systems firsthand could provide a much deeper understanding than studying them exclusively through textbooks and classroom lessons.

How the Students Prepared for Their Journey

The Polar Explorers have spent years preparing for the opportunity. During sixth and seventh grades, the students worked with the National Aquarium, the Maryland Zoo and other community partners to learn about Antarctica and participate in volunteer activities.

Those experiences helped introduce them to wildlife conservation, environmental science and the importance of protecting ecosystems. The preparation also helped students understand why Antarctica matters to communities thousands of miles away. Their teacher hopes they will return with knowledge they can share with other students throughout Baltimore City.

Community Support Makes the Trip Possible

One of the most remarkable aspects of the expedition is that the trip will not cost the students’ families anything. Community support helped make the journey possible, removing a major financial barrier to an experience that would otherwise be out of reach for many families.

The opportunity is particularly significant for students attending a public charter school in Baltimore. The teachers hope the expedition will demonstrate that access to international travel, scientific research and exploration should not be limited by a student’s financial circumstances or background.

Sully has also emphasized the importance of bringing the experience back to Baltimore so other children can see themselves participating in scientific discovery and environmental exploration.

Thanksgiving Will Be Spent on the Way to Antarctica

The students will have an unusual Thanksgiving this year. Rather than celebrating at home with their families, they are expected to spend the holiday aboard the expedition vessel as they travel through the Antarctic region.

The group is scheduled to return November 28, 2026, after approximately two weeks of exploration and scientific activities. Although leaving family members behind for the holiday may be difficult, the experience offers the students an opportunity few eighth graders will ever encounter.

A School Trip That Could Inspire an Entire Community

The Antarctica expedition represents more than an extraordinary school trip. It is an opportunity to introduce young students to scientific research, environmental protection and international exploration while challenging assumptions about which students get access to these experiences.

The Polar Explorers also hope their journey will encourage other young people to pursue opportunities outside their comfort zones and become more involved in understanding environmental challenges.

For eight Baltimore eighth graders, the classroom is about to get considerably bigger. Their journey to Antarctica could become an experience that influences how they view science, education and their own potential for years to come.