Programs

What we do...

DISCOVERING

Looking for someone doing the coolest thing ever? WINGS finds today's intrepid, creative, forward-thinking, explorers. We search for passionate people working on the edge and making vital discoveries through independently funded work.

• Women of Discovery Awards
Since 2003, WINGS has identified, honored and provided financial support to 48 women explorers through the annual Women of Discovery Awards dinner. Close to a half-million dollars has been raised and awarded to support their fieldwork.
• Flag Expeditions and Reports
A visible symbol of the vital role women play in scientific inquiry today, the WINGS Flag has flown on 50 expeditions worldwide, actively informing the public about the latest discoveries related to issues that face us today. The annual Flag Report documents each expedition and is amplified on the website.

CONNECTING AND SUSTAINING

WINGS connects women explorers and expands their sphere of influence. We support and sustain a unique, global fellowship of remarkable women who are changing our world, who in turn form the brain-trust for our programs.  Through the WINGS Fellows Network we recognize and document the important role that women are playing today in exploration and discovery, establish a legacy of recognition, and provide a virtual community of peers through which they can share their stories, experiences and accomplishments.

• Fellows Program
Founded in 2007, the WINGS Fellows Network is comprised of all Women of Discovery awardees, as well as Elected Fellows who are explorers selected each year for demonstrated accomplishments and/or exceptional promise.

SHARING

WINGS is dedicated to bringing the exciting stories and important discoveries of its Fellows to the public and providing the tools and inspiration to empower people of all ages to live a richer life through exploration.  We create and share educational programs and primary resources that provide positive and inspiring role models and document 21st century research and exploration. Wings also collects and archives information about women explorers of the past, demonstrating the long legacy of women’s contributions to world knowledge.

• iExplore: Your Dream, Your Journey! - A web-based resource that brings the stories of our Fellows to young people as inspiring role models, to motivate personal engagement with the world, and to provide primary resources for teachers and students that advance knowledge and lifelong learning.
• Art of Exploration - Partnered with Imagination Celebration of Fort Worth, WINGS has introduced over 30,000 young people to dynamic explorers in this pioneering hands-on workshop series, now entering its fifth year. Imagine Notes offer a glimpse into the life and work of an explorer/artist who has participated in the Art of Exploration program.
• Trading Cards -Published annually, the trading cards offer a handy, fun profile of the accomplishments of each WINGS Fellow. Lectures, Talks and Events -Throughout the year, WINGS offers lectures, films and events to present news directly from the field and increase awareness of the discoveries of women explorers.
• Polar Weekend - For three years, WINGS has partnered with Columbia University, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and the American Museum of Natural History to create a multidisciplinary event on the Poles.
• Website: www.wingsworldquest.org
WINGS is continuously working to create a state-of-the-art, virtual portal to exploration and discovery, providing and linking to a world of information about women explorers and their important discoveries relevant to current critical issues.
➢ The Women Explorers Archive WINGS gathers and preserves stories, research and information about women explorers through time and across cultures through this unique, searchable and accessible electronic database.
➢ Live Expedition Tracking Join WINGS as we follow some of today’s most exciting explorers in real time.
➢ Virtual portal for education resources related to science and exploration

Publications

Women of Discovery (Polk and Tiegreen)

Women Explorers, (Polk, editor) Sylvia Earle, Sue Hendrickson, Mary Kingsley, Alexandra David-Neel, Annie Alexander, Gertrude Bell Annual WINGS Flag Expedition Reports

Discovery Talk (Polk and Williams)