Presenters
Ellen J. Foster, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Secondary Social Studies Education
The University of Mississippi
ejfoster@olemiss.edu
Jeff Lash, Ph.D
Associate Professor of Geography
University of Houston-Clear Lake
lash@uhcl.edu
GeoCamp Overview
The NCGE-GeoCamp Iceland Summer Institute is a graduate-level equivalent, short course in geographic inquiry and field methods for in-service teachers and education professionals. Iceland’s extraordinary and unique landscapes are our classroom and laboratory. The course draws content from several important geographic themes including natural hazards and disaster prevention; human settlement and environmental adaptation; changing geopolitical spheres of influence; sense of place; and global environmental change. Icelandic field leaders serve as our local guides. Participants learn directly from Iceland’s renewable energy experts, sail on a fishing vessel, visit active volcanoes and walk in rift valleys and upon receding glaciers. Working alongside local teachers, participants explore historic sites and enjoy local Icelandic foods.
Course Objectives
After experiencing the NCGE-GeoCamp Iceland Summer Institute, participants will be able to:
• Explain the “geographic advantage” (geographic perspectives for looking at the world)
• Ask and answer their own geographic questions
• Explicitly connect course curriculum to geography content, perspectives, and skills
• Design inquiry-based geographic fieldwork and/or classroom activities for students and colleagues modeled on experiences in Iceland
Deliverable
Participants are expected to produce at least one classroom resource. Resources will be curated in the NCGE Resource Library for use by teachers and students around the world. In addition, participants are strongly encouraged to coordinate dissemination activities with State Alliances for Geographic Education, the NCGE Annual Conference and The Geography Teacher journal.
Geography for Life
The goal of the National Geography Standards is to enable students to become geographically informed through knowledge and mastery of three things: (1) factual knowledge; (2) mental maps and tools; (3) and ways of thinking. Download Geography for Life (PDF, 122 pages, 13.9mb)
C3 Framework for Social Studies
The College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards was developed to serve two audiences: for states to upgrade their state social studies standards and for practitioners — local school districts, schools, teachers and curriculum writers — to strengthen their social studies programs. Its objectives are to: a) enhance the rigor of the social studies disciplines; b) build critical thinking, problem solving, and participatory skills to become engaged citizens; and c) align academic programs to the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies. Download the C3 Framework (PDF, 114 pages, 2.26mb)
Online Mapping and Storytelling Resources
Learn ArcGIS – Get started using online mapping resources
GeoInquiries – Standards-based activities for all disciplines
StoryMaps – Learn how to be a storyteller with inspirational and practical resources
