MUMBAI: National Geographic Channel (NGC) US has announced that it has commenced the search for America's top kid explorers. 15 of them will win the field trip of a 10-day expedition to the exotic Galapagos Islands where they'll walk in the footsteps of Charles Darwin.

It is all part of the broadcaster's Everyday Explorer Challenge. This is a fun-filled and innovative learning experience sponsored by National Geographic Kids magazine, the National Geographic Channel, and the makers of the consumer product Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer. The aim is to promote hands-on exploration for America's youth.

15 kids submitting entries that the judges believe best meet the judging criteria, including demonstrating a passion to explore, will be selected for the inaugural National Geographic kids' expedition team and will take the ultimate field trip on board a Lindblad Expedition ship, accompanied by a National Geographic explorer and other experts. The expedition takes place next May.

The Galapagos, a remote chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean and the site of Charles Darwin's famed research, has been referred to as the soul of wildness. It is home to giant tortoises, sea lions, fur seals, penguins, iguanas, lava lizards, finches, albatrosses, geckos and more than 1,600 species of insects.

On its adventure, the expedition team will experience abundant wildlife in natural and pristine setting and learn from experts how to observe and not disturb this amazing place. They also will be equipped with their own Nikon Cool Pix digital camera and will receive tips from National Geographic experts on capturing their discoveries in pictures.