Explorers
Technology and Innovation
The Silk Road
The Columbian Exchange
The Future of Exploration
100

He sailed west into the Atlantic, hoping to reach Asia

Who is Christopher Columbus?

100

This device allowed sailors to navigate even on cloudy nights.

What is a compass?

100

During the Age of Exploration, these were worth their weight in gold for trading. 

What are spices?

100

The Columbian Exchange was the widespread transfer of animals, plants, diseases and culture between the Old World and this.

What is the New World?

100

This neighbouring planet is the main target for future human missions, with plans for crewed landings in the 2030s.

What is Mars?

200

Although he died on the journey, his crew completed the first circumnavigation of the globe

Who is Ferdinand Magellan?
200

The caravel was a small sailing ship known for its agility and speed. Christopher Columbus used two, The Pinta and this other one.

What is the Niña?

200

The Silk Road derives its name from the lucrative trade in silk, first developed in this country.

What is China?

200

One of the foods traded was maize, also known as this.

What is corn?

200

Advances in submersible technology may finally allow humans to fully explore this deepest point in the ocean.

What is the Mariana Trench?

300

He is the first known European to explore the coast of North America.

Who is John Cabot?

300

This tool allowed sailors to measure the angle of the sun or stars. 

What is the astrolabe?

300

This world religion, founded in India, spread to China along the Silk Road through monks and merchants. 

What is Buddhism?

300

This was the deadliest imported Old World disease.

What is smallpox?

300

Scientists hope to explore this invisible, mysterious “stuff” that makes up most of the universe but cannot be seen directly.

What is dark matter?

400

This explorer has both a river and a bay named after him in Canada.

Who is Henry Hudson?

400

Map-making is also known as this.

What is cartography?

400

This Venetian merchant traveled the Silk Road in the 1200s and later wrote a book describing his journeys in Asia. (His name is also a fun game). 

Who is Marco Polo?

400

This religion was brought to the New World by Europeans.

What is Christianity?

400

This icy moon of Jupiter, believed to have a hidden ocean, is one of the most promising places to search for extraterrestrial life.

What is Europa?

500

This Portuguese explorer was the first European to lead a maritime expedition to find a sea route from Europe to India. 

Who is Vasco da Gama?

500

Caravels were equipped with these triangular sails.

What are lateen sails?

500

This vast desert in China, whose name means "once you go in, you won't come out", challenged Silk Road travellers. 

What is the Taklamakan Desert?

500

The adoption of this animal in the New World led to improved military capabilities. 

What is the horse?

500

This type of spacecraft engine, powered by electrically charged particles, could make long-distance space travel faster and more efficient.

What is an ion drive (or ion propulsion)?

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