🧭❄️🎒 Glen Arden Elementary School fourth graders got an unforgettable lesson in decision-making, science, and storytelling when Jacob Myers, a North Carolina adventure athlete, visited to share experiences from some of the most extreme environments on Earth.
Myers’ presentation connected directly to the fourth grade curriculum while reinforcing key science concepts about weather, environments, and how humans adapt to conditions in the natural world. Myers, who grew up locally, opened by helping students imagine what it takes to travel safely through “incredibly beautiful, remote, and dangerous” places. He explained that as an expedition guide, preparation and smart choices are what keep people safe.
“You have to understand terrain, equipment, weather conditions, and how the body responds to cold and stress,” he said. “The way I’ve been out in the world in dangerous environments has guided me to be a better decision maker.”
Throughout the talk, Myers shared vivid examples from expeditions around the world, from being injured and caught in a storm off the Blue Ridge Parkway to altering a route during an Arctic expedition in Norway.
Students were especially engaged during the interactive moments, asking questions about photos, gear, and why explorers wear eye protection on snow. Myers explained how snow reflects light and can even “burn” your eyes, tying the concept back to what students learn about surfaces and energy.
One of the biggest takeaways was a simple but powerful message.
“Good decisions start with preparation and staying calm under stress,” Myers said.
