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Since our last update, we’ve continued to collect information---news articles, stories, videos, photos, and more—from Geography Awareness Week celebrations occurring across the country November 16-22.

Here are some recent examples from our My Wonderful World public engagement coordinators (PECs) and other members of National Geographic’s networks of state-based geographic alliances*; these are our geography education activists and practitioners “in the field.”

New Hampshire Chronicle: Mast Way School Geocaching
This heartwarming ten minute video showcases the work of 4^th grade New Hampshire teacher David McCormick.  David spearheaded a year-long, school-wide geography theme at Mast Way Elementary School, infusing geography across the curriculum along with technology, physical education, language arts, mathematics, and history. Hear from David, who is a recipient of the National Council for Geographic Education’s Distinguished Teaching award, as well as the school principal and NH Geographic Alliance Coordinator Kristi Alvarez. Watch as students navigate their way through the woods with GPS and move like animals on a giant map of Asia. Great stuff!
Submitted by Joseph Kerski, ESRI Education

Former National Geographic Education intern Ashley Pipkin, who is currently pursuing a graduate degree in geography at Texas A&M, helps disseminate geographic knowledge from a booth at the Advancing Geospatial Skills in Science and Social Science (AGSSS) Worldfest event in Bryan, Texas.
Submitted by Sandra Metoyer, Texas A&M Department of Geography

 
Right:Eager students hone their map skills at the Worldfest event.

Bridgewater State College NewsLog: Geography Fair Puts Diversity on the Map.
This article describes a geography fair and exhibit contest held at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts. The event attracted over 300 students from 11 communities who displayed projects on topics from “The economy of Peru" to "Fishing in Nova Scotia" to "Life in the Galapagos."Submitted by Rosalie Sokol, Public Engagement Coordinator for Massachusetts

 

Wicked Local Rockland: Big wonderful world visits Esten Elementary.
In more news from my “wicked cool” home state of Massachusetts, kids at a local elementary school get dizzy inside a giant EarthView balloon. Read the full article for quotes from the students and MWW PEC Rosalie Sokol, as well as a nice mention of My Wonderful World.

 

Left: MWW PEC Rosalie Sokol guides awestruck students inside the EarthView balloon.
Right:Students at Rochester Memorial School in Rochester, MA, pose with the EarthView balloon.

 

Phil Murphy, a high school geography teacher from Mayville, ND, was named North Dakota's Geography Teacher of the Year. Congratulations Phil!
Submitted by Marilyn Weiser, Public Engagement Coordinator for North Dakota

Great work all! Keep the updates coming—send information to scaban@ngs.org.

Sarah Jane for My Wonderful World

*About the Geography Alliance Network
Since 1986, National Geographic has helped to build a national network of K-12 teachers, college geographers and educators, school administrators, and others dedicated to improving geography education. The Geography Alliances, which operate as grassroots organizations, along with Education & Children's Programs and other key partners, work to promote geography education at local, state, and national levels. Alliance membership is open to educators, administrators, parents, retirees; anyone interested in geographic education. Join today!

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