https://storymap.knightlab.com
For spring break 2025, the digital storytelling class at UMW took a trip to Easter Island, and they packed every day full of activities and adventure. Just in the first day, they had 12 stops!
The digital storytelling class from the University of Mary Washington gathered at Dulles Airport at 9:05 AM, buzzing with excitement for their journey to Easter Island. Their mission: to document and narrate the stories of the island’s ancient Moai statues. Their first flight departed at 12:05 PM, taking them to New York City, where they landed at 1:29 PM for a long layover. They used the time to brainstorm ideas for their projects, discussing video techniques and interview strategies before boarding at 6:30 PM. As the plane took off for Santiago, they imagined the breathtaking landscapes and untold stories awaiting them.
After landing in Santiago at 7:00 AM, the students had just over two hours before their next flight. By 9:10 AM, they were soaring over the Pacific, capturing aerial shots of the endless blue ocean. At 12:35 PM, they touched down on Easter Island, one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth. The free shuttle took them to Tupa Hotel, where they checked in at 1:00 PM before setting out for Pea Beach, just a 12-minute walk away. Some students filmed the gentle waves rolling onto the shore, while others captured the vibrant energy of the island’s people. Already, their digital stories were beginning to take shape.
The next day, after an early breakfast, the real adventure began. Their seven-hour tour took them to Ahu Vaihu in Hanga Te’e, where they documented fallen Moai that lay undisturbed for centuries. At Akahanga, they recorded footage of the ruins believed to be the burial site of King Hotu Matu’a. The highlight of the day was Rano Raraku, where nearly 400 Moai stood frozen in time on the volcanic slopes. As they filmed interviews with local guides, they uncovered the mysteries behind these massive stone figures. After lunch overlooking the crater lake, they visited Ahu Tongariki, capturing the grandeur of 15 restored Moai standing proudly against the sea. The day ended at Ahu Te Pito Kura and the sacred “Navel of the World,” where students filmed their reflections on the island’s powerful energy. As the sun set, they realized this was more than just a class trip—it was a chance to bring history to life through digital storytelling.