Meet the 2022 Willoughby Expedition Team and Learn About Their Journey Through the Everglades

Students across the School District of Palm Beach County will have the opportunity to learn more about explorer and scientist Hugh Willoughby, who became the first non-Native American to cross the Everglades in 1897 and the 2022 Expedition that followed in his footsteps.

An update about lessons learned during the recent expedition will be shared on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach.

In recognition of the 75th anniversary of Everglades National Park, an expedition team set off on a 130-mile canoe trip across the largest remaining American subtropical wilderness. The Expedition Team of scientists traveled along the same path Willoughby explored.

The 2022 Willoughby Expedition Team took water samples from the Everglades to test for chemistry changes, pollutants such as microplastics, and other effects of the modern world on this critical water system.

The Cox Science Center invited students to share their thoughts and questions with the 2022 Willoughby Expedition Team on the topics of PFAS, microplastics, human impact on the endangerment of the Snail Kite bird and surrounding habitats, discovery of antibiotic resistance genes in the water, as well as the importance of water conservation via video presentation submission.

On November 19, winners of the video contest (listed below), will gather at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium for a celebration and discussion with the Willoughby Expedition Team.

ELEMENTARY
• 1st Place – Jayden Chan, Limestone Creek Elementary School
• 2nd Place – Owen Walborn, Equestrian Trails Elementary School

MIDDLE
• 1st Place – Alex Martin, Jupiter Middle School
• 2nd Place – Milo Walker, Jupiter Middle School

HIGH
• 1st Place – Shaima Mamouni, Florida Virtual School
• 2nd Place – Raymond Wong, Suncoast Community High School