The National Geographic Society and Cengage Group Celebrate Expanded Partnership with the Announcement of a New Interactive Student Experience at the Museum of Exploration
$15 million gift from Cengage Group will fund the National Geographic Learning Launchpad, a new educational experience at the National Geographic Museum of Exploration
WASHINGTON, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Geographic Society and Cengage Group have expanded their long-term partnership with a $15 million gift in support of the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, opening in 2026. The National Geographic Learning Launchpad, powered by the Cengage Group, is an extraordinary interactive space that will inspire young people to connect with the concept of geographic thinking and to apply what they learn to their own lives.
The National Geographic Learning Launchpad will be the first stop for the student groups visiting the Museum of Exploration at National Geographic Base Camp in Washington, D.C., setting the scene for their experience at the museum. The space — which includes an introductory corridor, interactive activity room and immersive projection room — presents geography as a way of thinking, understanding and interacting with the world. Visitors will learn to ask questions and seek knowledge, think critically and creatively to solve the world's most pressing problems and to understand the Explorer Mindset — a series of attributes, shared values and commitments that define what it means to be a National Geographic Explorer.
"Curiosity is at the heart of exploration, and education is how we nurture that spark," said Jill Tiefenthaler, chief executive officer of the National Geographic Society. "Thanks to the generosity of our partners at Cengage, we're able to create innovative, hands-on learning experiences like the National Geographic Learning Launchpad — bringing the fieldwork and projects of Explorers straight to students and inspiring the Explorer in everyone."
The dynamic partnership between National Geographic Society and Cengage launched in 2011, when the organizations came together to establish the National Geographic Learning brand and business. This strategic partnership provides Cengage the exclusive rights to develop and deliver National Geographic-branded learning products that engage tens of millions of learners around the world each year. National Geographic Learning products, which support learners and educators in both the English Language Teaching and Secondary education markets worldwide, immerse students in a range of subject areas, including science, social studies, language arts and math, featuring information from the unique viewpoint of Explorers and their multifaceted work.
National Geographic Learning content reaches approximately 20 million students each year with Explorer-centered educational content across 109 countries, with over 600 individual Explorers featured in materials. These learning products highlight the Explorer's work in connection to the subject matter in ways that uniquely engage students and provide cross-cultural connections to other subject areas in an authentic, relevant way.
In 2024, National Geographic and Cengage extended their National Geographic Learning partnership through 2040 to continue bringing the world to the classroom and the classroom to life with rich content and experiences.
"We are proud that our partnership with the National Geographic Society is expanding further as we explore all the ways we can change the typical classroom experience together and provide a window to the world for students," said Michael Hansen, chief executive officer of Cengage Group. "Our mission at Cengage Group is to provide education for employment – empowering learners with the skills and experiences they need to achieve their education and career goals. Our partnership with National Geographic helps us realize this ambition; by leveraging the insights, experiences and imagery of National Geographic Explorers we are able to better develop engaging and impactful educational experiences that prepare students to lead fulfilling lives in the real world. The opportunity to get students out of the classroom and into the world of an Explorer through the National Geographic Learning Launchpad is a remarkable next step for this collaboration."
The National Geographic Museum of Exploration, where the National Geographic Learning Launchpad will be housed, is currently under construction and will open in 2026. To find out more information and updates on Base Camp, visit us here.
About National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content. To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
About Cengage Group
Cengage Group, a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms. We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education. Visit us at www.cengagegroup.com or find us on LinkedIn or X.
About National Geographic Learning
National Geographic Learning (NGL), part of Cengage Group, provides quality learning products for the K-12 and English Language Teaching education markets worldwide. NGL seeks to transform teaching and learning by bringing the world to the classroom and the classroom to life. We provide relevant content to inspire teachers and impact learners, including exclusive access to the insights, experiences and imagery of more than 600 National Geographic Explorers through our close partnership with the National Geographic Society.
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SOURCE National Geographic Society