In this session, participants will learn how to use Giant Traveling Maps in the classroom. As an illustrative and interactive example, we will focus specifically on bald eagle distributions and habitats. Giant Traveling Maps facilitate a dynamic and interactive learning environment and are effective in engaging students in hands-on exploration of geographical concepts and principles. The Giant Traveling Maps foster experiential learning by providing students with an immersive experience designed to stimulate curiosity and they encourage active participation by facilitating a deeper understanding of geographic patterns and species distribution. This lesson will also allow educators to incorporate interdisciplinary approaches, integrating concepts from geography, biology, and environmental science. Through this lesson, students will examine their local environments and regions and identify how they compare to habitats required for bald eagles, which will facilitate a holistic understanding of the interconnected
All Grade Levels | Giant Maps | Environmental Conservation | Habitat Identification
San Pedro
Scott Greene is a professor and chair in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability and coordinator of the Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education at the University of Oklahoma. His research interests focus on energy resources and economic impact analysis, statistical methods, climate adaptation, and K-12 geography education. He has taught courses on statistical methods, renewable energy, climatology, and physical geography. In addition to publishing more than 50 refereed scientific papers on statistical methods, renewable energy, and applied climatology and teaching a variety of courses, Dr. Greene has received a number of very prestigious awards, including the NASA global change fellowship, the Tromp Scientific Award (the highest award given by the International Society of Biometeorology only once every three years for outstanding research in biometeorology), the University of Oklahoma Teaching Scholars Initiative Award for Outstanding Teaching, the Regents’ Award for Superior Teaching (the highest teaching award offered by the university and the state regents), and the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences Outstanding Research Award. Under Dr. Greene’s leadership and direction, he and his research team have received awards for excellence in research and outreach from the American Wind Energy Association, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Oklahoma City Journal Record. Dr. Greene holds degrees in Applied Mathematics and Geography (BA, University of California, Berkeley), Geography (M.A., University of Hawaii), and Geography/Climatology (Ph.D., University of Delaware).
Becca Palczynsky has served as Executive Director for the Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education (OKAGE) since October 2019. OKAGE is a professional organization located in Norman, Oklahoma, for all educators. OKAGE provides a year-round schedule of professional development events and academies for in-service and preservice teachers, curriculum coordinators, and informal educators of all grade levels and backgrounds. During Becca’s time at OKAGE, she has secured four grants from the National Geographic Society and two grants from the Kirkpatrick Foundation to develop high-quality STEM education outreach programs and disseminate supporting resources aligned to the National Geography and Oklahoma Academic Standards to educators and students across the state of Oklahoma. As a result of developing these geographic education outreach initiatives, Becca was selected to receive the Outstanding Support for Geographic Education award from the National Council for Geographic Education in 2022. In her role at OKAGE, Becca remains active in state, national, and international organizations to advocate for and advance STEM education and geographic literacy among the public. Becca serves on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Council for Social Studies, participates as an outreach partner for Lights Out Heartland, and was selected as Oklahoma’s first International Dark Sky Delegate. These strategic partnerships amplify OKAGE’s impact in Oklahoma and beyond.
