Summary
As instructional time for social studies continues to shrink in many K–12 settings, geography educators face increasing pressure to demonstrate the relevance, rigor, and interdisciplinary potential of the discipline. This session invites participants into a discussion of current trends in geography education, including effective teaching, data-visualization, geospatial technologies, and STEM aligned inquiry that positions geography as essential to real world problem solving. Broader implications in the field of education and impacts of state policy changes are explored. Participants will consider actionable approaches for integrating geography into interdisciplinary instruction, expanding its presence in the elementary and secondary curriculum, and advocating for its continued visibility in the broader social studies landscape.
Session Focus
All Grade Levels | Geography for Life | Curriculum and Instruction
Conference Room
Cullen
Meet the Presenters
Dr. Mary D. Curtis is an Assistant Professor at the University of Houston-Clear Lake in the College of Education where she coordinates the Social Studies teacher preparation program. Dr. Curtis is a geography educator with over 20 years of experience and service from local to international levels. She currently serves as the Vice Chair for the Association of American Geographers Geography Education Specialty Group and as Associate Editor for the Journal of Geography.
