This activity sheet is the student handout for the students to use, gathering information on their assigned explorer and on others presented. This could be assigned in a variety of ways, but I have my students (in groups of 3) each research one of the explorers and create a "Newscast" on their explorer, providing key facts in addition to other interesting information. I also offer students bonus points if they create "commercials" to present during thier newscasts on relevant inventions of the time!
This handout also asks wrap-up questions and requires students to place the explorers covered on a spectrum of importance.