Annual Conference

Name: Promoting Critical Perspectives in a Geography Methods Course
Start: 2025-10-18T14:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-10-18T14:30:00-05:00
Location: Conference Room: Winnebago

October 2025
October 18 @ 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM CDT

Harnessing AI to Enhance Language Acquisition and Content Mastery in the Geography Classroom

Conference Room: Clark

Summary Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education, offering powerful tools to help teachers support emergent bilingual students in acquiring language skills while mastering geographic concepts. This presentation explores innovative ways AI can enhance both language acquisition and content knowledge in the geography classroom. By integrating AI-driven adaptive learning technologies, educators can create inclusive, personalized learning […]
October 18 @ 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM CDT

People and their Environment: Human Geography Lessons for Young Learners

Conference Room: Nebraska

Summary In this workshop, the presenter will engage participants in interdisciplinary,hands-on activities that introduce elementary students to human geography content and geographic skills, while also promoting global citizenship. After a brief overview of concepts and learning strategies, the presenter will engage participants in several hands-on activities that explore human geography topics including: human changes to […]
October 18 @ 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM CDT

Canceled Traversing the Historical Religious Geography of India and Nepal

Conference Room: Iowa

Summary Attendees at this session will gain an understanding of India's and Nepal's religious geography from the birth of Hinduism through the modern era, based on a historical approach, as experienced through an educational trip to these countries during 2024. Travel participants participated in Hindu and Buddhist religious ceremonies, interacted with other religious groups, and […]
October 18 @ 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM CDT

Beyond the Hype: Critical AI Literacy for Geography and Social Studies Educators

Conference Room: Winnebago

Summary The rapid emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has sparked both optimism and unease within education. For geography and the broader social sciences, GenAI tools such as ChatGPT promise efficiencies in curriculum design, data analysis, and feedback, yet they also produce errors, false citations, and cultural oversimplifications. The use of large language models poses […]
October 18 @ 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM CDT

The Fate of Research in Geography Education: A Look Back to Plan Forward

Conference Room: Lewis

Summary Research in geography education – Where are we now? This session begins a dialog to evaluate the current state of geography education and to determine concrete steps for the future. Guided by published research agendas and The Roadmap for 21st Century Geography Education project, we will examine the geography education community’s progress tackling issues […]
October 18 @ 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM CDT

Beyond the Map: Organizing a GIS-Focused Study Abroad Experience

Conference Room: Flannigan

Summary Integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into study abroad programs offers students an immersive, hands-on learning experience that bridges classroom concepts with real-world applications. This presentation will provide a practical guide to designing and implementing a GIS-focused study abroad program, from selecting a destination and identifying local partnerships to navigating logistics, budgeting, and curriculum integration. […]
October 18 @ 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM CDT

Borchert Teacher Fellowship: Letting Teachers Loose in a Map Library

Conference Room: Winnebago

Summary The Borchert Map Library at the University of Minnesota started a summer Teacher Fellowship in 2023, bringing five teachers per summer together for a two-month deep dive into the resources of the library. Teachers have time to connect with other teachers, research in the Map Library, learn new technologies, connect with UMN faculty and […]
October 18 @ 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM CDT

Box, Box, Box! Fostering pre-service elementary teachers’ geographic lens through global F1 and STEM

Conference Room: Lewis

Summary In this session, we share experiences of our collaborative, three-year pedagogical project that focuses on building elementary pre-service teachers’ geographic awareness and geographic lens with a purposeful eye towards connecting social studies, geography, science and STEM engineering processes that contribute to geographic thinking. Engaging the most popular global sport on the planet, Formula 1, […]
October 18 @ 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM CDT

Localizing Global Challenges: A Case Study on constructing EcoBricks in Intro Geography courses

Conference Room: Clark

Summary This session will share information on the construction of an EcoBrick together with results of a case study evaluating the pedagogical outcomes of incorporating EcoBrick construction into undergraduate geography and sustainability curricula. Drawing on submitted student documents and EcoBrick events over the past four years, the project investigates how hands-on EcoBrick construction fosters appreciation […]
October 18 @ 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM CDT

Exploring South Asia Through Literature: Using Award-Winning Books to Enrich Geography Education

Conference Room: Nebraska

Summary The South Asia Book Award (SABA) celebrates outstanding literature that authentically portrays the cultures, histories, and lived experiences of South Asians, both in South Asia and across the globe. This session introduces geography educators to the wealth of award-winning books that can enhance students' understanding of the diverse countries and cultures that make up […]
October 18 @ 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM CDT

Restricting the Mercator Map Projection Usage in Public School Classrooms

Conference Room: Iowa

Summary The Nebraska State Legislature passed a law in 2024, prohibiting public school classrooms from using the Mercator map projection, in favor of Gall-Peters and AuthaGraph. Although there are exceptions described in this statute when it is permissible to use projections outside of Gall-Peters and AuthaGraph, it has led to confusion among public school educators. […]
October 18 @ 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM CDT

Promoting Critical Perspectives in a Geography Methods Course

Conference Room: Winnebago

Summary This session shares ongoing efforts by the presenter to promote critical perspectives in a geography methods course for pre-service teachers. This presentation explores how interdisciplinary connections have raised student consciousness about the utility of the field of geography to frame issues of power and inequality. Drawing from decolonial thought, ethnic studies, and media literacy, […]

Annual Conference

October 2025

Harnessing AI to Enhance Language Acquisition and Content Mastery in the Geography Classroom

People and their Environment: Human Geography Lessons for Young Learners

Canceled Traversing the Historical Religious Geography of India and Nepal

Beyond the Hype: Critical AI Literacy for Geography and Social Studies Educators

The Fate of Research in Geography Education: A Look Back to Plan Forward

Beyond the Map: Organizing a GIS-Focused Study Abroad Experience

Borchert Teacher Fellowship: Letting Teachers Loose in a Map Library

Box, Box, Box! Fostering pre-service elementary teachers’ geographic lens through global F1 and STEM

Localizing Global Challenges: A Case Study on constructing EcoBricks in Intro Geography courses

Exploring South Asia Through Literature: Using Award-Winning Books to Enrich Geography Education

Restricting the Mercator Map Projection Usage in Public School Classrooms

Promoting Critical Perspectives in a Geography Methods Course

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