Summary Human-led exploitation of our planet has resulted in an enormous environmental crisis. Anthropocentrism, the belief that the world was made for humans and everything in it is meant for human use, often goes unnamed in conversations about systemic issues. Yet, this pervasive worldview is at the root of our ecological crisis and is deeply […]
Summary Why do the Five Themes of Geography often feel like a flat checklist of definitions rather than a dynamic lens for understanding the world? Too often, geography instruction in the secondary classroom stops at memorization, leaving students disconnected from the human stories behind the maps. This hands-on workshop seeks to enliven the geographic experience […]
Summary This session will introduce the evolution of place-naming in Virginia. We will start with a hands-on activity using the John Smith Floor Map (large version created by the Virginia Geographic Alliance) to explore Native American and early European toponyms. We will look at the impacts of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars on Virginia place […]
Summary Promoting critical thinking among students is often at the top of our teaching goals. We want students to develop a careful, questioning approach to their work so they are critical of the sources they use to find answers and be cautious about the answers they reach. Innovations in artificial intelligence -- particularly the latest […]
Summary This interactive workshop is designed for preservice and new to the classroom teachers who want to build confidence and creativity in teaching geography. Participants will explore practical, engaging strategies for bringing geographic concepts to life in diverse classroom settings. The session emphasizes active learning, critical thinking, and real-world connections that help students understand the […]
Summary In 2024, I was part of an educational group run by GEEO that toured northern India and parts of central Nepal. This trip focused on visiting multiple religious sites associated with Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. As well as other Significant locations related to ancient Indian History. This presentation will explore the historical religious geography […]
Summary In this interactive session, explore how OER Project: Big History helps middle school students investigate 4.5 billion years of change through a geographic lens. From plate tectonics and biomes to trade routes, migration, and industrialization, participants will examine how physical landscapes shape human possibility. Presenters will model strategies for teaching Big History at key […]
Summary The 1918 Influenza Pandemic killed 50 million people, far surpassing the 16 million lives claimed by World War I. The deadly virus attacked one-fifth of the world's population and killed more people than any other illness in recorded history yet receives short shrift in curriculum about the Great War. In this inquiry-based session, educators […]
Summary This session highlights the findings of a national survey of teachers (n=404) in the United States. To explore classroom practices in geography, a survey was designed and distributed to teachers working in public and private schools. Findings reveal which tools are frequently used to teach geography. Findings also focus on key topics and skills […]
Summary The “Die Hard as a Christmas movie” debate offers an entry point for engaging students in learning about culture and its interpretation. As classroom practice shifts toward an emphasis on human geography and the use of geo-literacy skills, understanding how to engage students with complexity of geography is increasingly important. Because social studies teachers […]
Summary Computer mapping using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) has become the way all modern maps are made, and GIS has become much more accessible and easier to use. This session introduces a new interactive GIS atlas of Maryland designed to support geographic learning through inquiry and spatial thinking. Developed for middle school and high school […]
Summary Often relegated to the last few days of the school year, Oceania and the Pacific Islands rarely get much time or focus in geography classrooms. This presentation will focus on how educators can infuse their lessons on mapping, spatial thinking, and geospatial technology with indigenous mapping practices to highlight differing approaches to representing geographic […]