A Journal of Discovery

When James Cook, captain of the Endeavor, set sail to explore the South Pacific in 1768, he took with him some explorers of a different kind. They were scientists. Of this group of scientists, it was Joseph Banks whose work would make the most impact when they returned home to England. Already a noted botanist at twenty-five, he had a passionate interest in plants and animals. Among Cook's large retinue were other naturalists as well as two artists. The Endeavor would bring back not only new maps, but also information about the plants, minerals, and animals of the South Pacific. In this activity, students, like Joseph Banks, turn a scientific eye on their own neighborhoods and make their own "discoveries."