UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

2023

East Africa Summer Institute for Educators, Kenya and Tanzania, June 4 – July 2, 2023

The East Africa Summer Institute for Educators project is hosted by the Virginia Tech Global Education Office  through the support of the United States Department of Education & Bureau of Cultural Affairs’ Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) grant program under the leadership of Dr. Tom Hammett from the College of Natural Resources and Environment. The experience will emphasize the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals with particular focus on education and sustainable communities and will be centered on the spirit of cross-cultural exchange.

National History Day, Hawai’i. Sacrifice for Freedom®: World War II in the Pacific Student & Teacher Institute. Fieldwork June 20-26, 2023

The program will begin in January 2023 with required online course work and continue after summer travel with the completion of the Silent Hero profile for NHDSilentHeroes.org. Program and travel fees (including flights, hotels, meals, and admission) are paid by the Pearl Harbor Historic Site partners.

A team consists of one student and one teacher. A prospective team submits a joint application. Teams must meet these requirements:

•Student applicants must be enrolled in tenth or eleventh grade in the 2022-2023 academic year.
•Teacher applicants of any subject from grades 6-12 may apply. School librarians are eligible for this program.
•Teacher applicants must be employed or serving as public, private, parochial, charter, independent, or home school educators.
•All accepted participants will be required to submit full proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

The deadline to apply is Monday, November 28, 2023 at midnight HT.

For more information and application form, go  to: https://www.nhd.org/SFF2023

NCGE GeoCamp Iceland 2023, June 27 – July 8, 2023 (includes travel days)

For up-to-date information, go to https://ncge.org/professional-development/geocamp-iceland/

The VGA is offering several scholarships for this GeoCamp. Apply here by noon February 3, 2023.

NCGE GeoCamp Amazon 2023., July 22 – July 31, 2023

For up-to-date information, go to https://ncge.org/professional-development/geocamp-amazon/ Deadline for application is March 17, 2023,

VGA is offering scholarships for this GeoCamp. Apply here by noon February 3, 2023

PAST ACTIVITIES

2022

NCGE GeoCamp Iceland 2022, June 28 – July 8, 2022, including travel days

Six $3100 VGA Scholarships are available for Virginia educators. See post on VGA home page. Application deadline: 1 March 2022.

2021

NCGE GeoCamp Iceland 2021, June 30-July 8

Explore Iceland’s changing landscapes and diverse environments for nine magical days while earning CEU credits!

A graduate-level equivalent short course in geographic inquiry and field methods for in-service teachers and education professionals. DEADLINE APRIL 1

MORE INFORMATION

Texas State University online programs for Masters and PhD degrees in Geographic Education (2021)

Texas State University announces the availability of a 100% Online PhD program in Geography Education. This academic program could prepare teachers for careers in educational research, teaching at all levels, and school district administration. Small scholarships are available. Keep your job and work with the exceptional faculty at Texas State University and complete your degree in 4 years. Must have a Master’s Degree in Geography or cognate discipline, such as social studies. In our 1st year (2020-2021) we enrolled 11 students. We also have a 100% Online Master’s Degree in Geography Education.

For information on either of these degrees, email our Graduate Staff Advisor, Allison Smith at am13@txstate.edu.

Informational Links:
PhD program: https://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/programs/geo-ed-phd.html

Master’s Program: http://mycatalog.txstate.edu/graduate/liberal-arts/geography/geography-geoeducation-mageo/

2020

NCGE’s GeoCamp Iceland, June 23-July 3, 2020 (CANCELED)

NCGE’s GeoCamp Iceland 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 will be our classroom and laboratory. The course will draw 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 will be our local guides.

Complete applications must be returned by Feb. 15, 2020. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by March 1, 2020. If accepted, a deposit of $1000 is due by March 15, 2020 to reserve your spot in the institute.

For  more information, click here.

APHG Teacher Delegation to South Korea 2020, June 24-JULY 2, 2020

The 2020 Delegation of APHG teachers will depart for South Korea on June 24 on the trans-Pacific flight in the afternoon or evening for a late afternoon or evening arrival on June 25 in Seoul-Inchon International Airport. The return departure to the U.S. will be on July 2 or earlier. We are working on funding for a field study extension, but a lack of funding will move the departure closer to June 30. The dates will be confirmed prior to ticketing. It is possible to arrive early or remain in South Korea longer at the delegate’s own expense. Airfare, hotel, most meals, and most local transportation is provided by the South Korean hosts during the program of activities. APHG teachers are given priority to participate in the U.S. Delegation. Other high school geography teachers may also apply. The program is designed to provide an international experience that will expand your world view, and especially your knowledge of the Korean Peninsula. If you are an APHG teacher and interested, please contact Joseph Stoltman (stoltman@wmich.edu) to receive an application.

 2019

GeoCamp Iceland 2019, July 7-14, 2019

Explore Iceland’s changing landscapes and diverse environments. The institute is a graduate-level equivalent, short course in geographic inquiry and field methods for in-service teachers and education professionals.  Complete applications due January 15, 2019. 

Oklahoma State University Travel Abroad
GEOG 4600 – Italy, Croatia, and the Adriatic Sea

May 29 to June 6, 2019
3 credit hours (undergraduate or graduate) also for non-credit

Description:  This course is a study of the diverse cultures and landscapes of Italy and Europe’s Balkan Peninsula, seen primarily through the lens of cities along the Adriatic Sea’s serpentine coastline. Our exploration will include stops in Rome and ancient Pompeii before crossing the Adriatic by ferry to Durrës, Albania and on to Budva, Montenegro and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Highlights:  Tour of ancient and modern-day Rome (with stops at the Pantheon, Colosseum, Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican); visit to the Roman City of Pompeii; Krujë Castle (Albania), ancient walled city of Kotor (Montenegro) and St. Trypon Cathedral; medieval city of Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Franciscan and Dominican monasteries; ferry to Hvar.

Instructors:  Drs. Thomas Wikle and Jonathan Comer

Price:  $4,578 (for credit) or $3,878 (non-credit) – price includes airfare

To start an application:  https://cas.okstate.edu/studyabroad/139-outreach/outreach-courses/study-abroad-course/1475-italy-croatia-2019

For map of itinerary, see flyer.

For more information please contact:  Dr. Tom Wikle (t.wikle@okstate.edu) or Shane O’Mealey, A&S Outreach (shane.omealey@okstate.edu) or call 405-744-5647.

2019 Educator Academy in the Amazon, July 1-11, 2019

Scholarships: $1250 Amazon Workshops Scholarships for K-12 Educators
Application Deadline: February 1, 2019
Get more info: http://amazonworkshops.com/educator-academy/

The July 1-11, 2019 Educator Academy in the Amazon Rainforest of Peru is a cross-curricular professional development workshop for formal and informal science educators. Highlights include:

• 21st Century Instruction: 5E Lesson Design ~ Inquiry-Based Exploration ~ STEM
• Inquiry Protocols & Resources: Vernier Software & Technology ~ Celestron Digital Microscopes
• Global and Cultural Perspectives: Service Learning ~ Sustainability ~ Global Education
• NEW! A specialized track for HS bio and environmental science educators with a focus on sustainability, conservation, and field work with the Maijuna indigenous community
• Work side-by-side with scientists and researchers on citizen science projects and field studies.
• Explore the ¼ mile long ACTS Peru Rainforest Canopy Walkway in one of the world’s most biologically diverse environments.
• Work with fellow educators to explore strategies for using the Amazon as a vehicle for incorporating STEM education, inquiry-based learning, and sustainability science education into your classroom.

Get the details and download a syllabus and scholarship application at: http://amazonworkshops.com/educator-academy/

The Humanities Center

Humanities in Class: Sugar Mill, Sea, Society in Caribbean History on September 29, 2018 at the National Humanities Center. This one-day symposium will help you understand this complex topic better – and to practice hands-on teaching strategies that will help your students use archival documents to investigate this global system. You can also look forward to working with some familiar faces and colleagues – including Andrew Payne of the National Archives, Chris Bunin of Albemarle County Public Schools, and Mike Williams of Warren New Tech School in Warrenton, North Carolina.

As an extra incentive, the Virginia Geographic Alliance is sponsoring 16 scholarships and travel stipends for Virginia teachers to participate.  Each award will cover the $15 registration fee as well as provide $50 to help with gas or overnight lodging.   This private link allows you to register for this scholarship on a first come, first award basis:  https://sugarmillseasociety.eventbrite.com

The schedule is as follows:

• 8:30 – arrive and welcome
• 9:00 – keynote
• 9:30 – “Let the Archives Speak” with Andrew Payne
• 12:00 – lunch (provided with registration)
• 1:00 – “From Ghana to Bridgetown to London” with Mike Williams
• 2:00 – “Geography and Barbados” with Chris Bunin
• 3:30 – dismiss

Registration is limited to 80: https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/sugar-mill-sea-society-caribbean-history/

Join the T3G Family

3G began in 2009 as a one-week residential hands-on institute, helping educators (in K12, higher ed, and informal settings) grasp why and how to use GIS for instruction. Technology evolved, resources grew, and a lively professional community built up. Now, with many good resources for self-instruction, and time ever more precious, the T3G annual event is two synchronous interactive online sessions of 4 hours each. Through the year, T3Gers stay in touch with each other, sharing ideas and strategies, making a difference in the world. LEARN MORE

• Thu March 1, 2018: registration opens to new and returning educators
• Mon April 28, 2018: class confirms with 40 registrations by this date
• Sat June 30, 2018: last day to register

Summer workshops in geospatial technology

The National Geospatial Technology Center of Excellence (GeoTech Center) will host four regional workshops in the summer of 2018. The workshops will be held in Dallas, San Diego, Salt Lake City, and Gettysburg and are open to high school educators and 2-year/4-year college faculty. Each of the workshops has a different focus and require different levels of geospatial experience from beginner to intermediate. Each workshop will have 15-18 participants and will have participants developing curricular materials.

 More information

Application deadline is May 4, 2018 for the Dallas and San Diego workshops and June 8, 2018 for the Salt Lake City and Gettysburg workshops .

GeoCamp Iceland 2018, July 7-17, 2018

The GeoCamp Iceland 2018 Institute is a graduate level equivalent short course in geographic inquiry and field methods. Iceland’s extraordinary and unique landscapes are our classroom and laboratory. The course draws content from 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 and educators are our guides. We will learn directly from Iceland’s renewable energy experts, board a fishing vessel, visit active volcanoes and walk upon receding glaciers and in rift valleys.  Alongside Icelandic guides we will explore historic sites and enjoy local foods.

Download GeoCamp Information and Application

EDUCATOR ACADEMY IN THE AMAZON RAINFOREST, July 1-11, 2018

The  Educator Academy in the Amazon Rainforest of Peru is a cross-curricular professional development workshop for K-12 formal and informal educators to learn and use:

• 21st Century Instruction:  5E Lesson Design ~ Inquiry-Based Exploration ~ NGSS ~ STEM
• Inquiry Protocols & Resources:  Project Learning Tree ~ Cornell Lab of Ornithology ~ & More!
• Global and Cultural Perspectives:  Service Learning ~ Sustainability ~ Global Education

Join Al Stenstrup, Project Learning Tree; Dr. Nancy Trautmann, Cornell Lab of Ornithology;  Kristie Reddick, The Bug Chicks; along with scientists Dr. Steve Madigosky, Widener University; and Randy Morgan, Curator/Entomologist, Cincinnati Zoo as you:

• Work side-by-side with scientists and researchers on citizen science projects and field studies on the ACTSPeru Rainforest Canopy Walkway in one of the world’s most biologically diverse environments.
• Explore conservation and sustainability via hands-on workshops with indigenous communities.
• Spend a day in an Amazon village and explore the role of education in creating a sustainable future for Amazon children.
• Work with fellow educators and develop strategies for using the Amazon as a vehicle for incorporating  standards-based inquiry, STEM, and sustainability education into your classroom.

PLT Certification, BirdSleuth, and other resources included. Academic Credit and Machu Picchu Extension optional.  $1100 scholarship deadline February 1, 2018.  With a scholarship, Academy Program fees are $1395 + air.  Space is limited to 30 educators – Register early to secure your spot!

Get the details and download a syllabus and scholarship application at: www.amazonworkshops.com/educator-academy

Contact Educator Academy Director, Christa Dillabaugh, for more information: Email:  christa@amazonworkshops.com  // phone:  1-800-431-2624.

Global Exploration for Educators Organization

Founded in 2007, Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that has sent over 1600 teachers abroad on adventurous travel programs. With GEEO educators can earn professional development credits and optional graduate credit while seeing the world. GEEO’s trips are 7 to 21 days in length and are designed and discounted to be interesting and affordable for teachers. In addition to amazing tour leaders, many of the programs are accompanied by university faculty that are experts on the destination. The deposit is $250 for each program and then the final payment is due 60 days before departure.

GEEO also provides teachers educational materials and the structure to help them bring their experiences into the classroom. The trips are open to all nationalities of K-12 and university educators, administrators, retired educators, as well as educators’ guests.

GEEO is offering the following travel programs for 2018: Argentina and Brazil, Bangkok to Hanoi, Tibet, Camino de Santiago, Eastern Europe, The Galapagos Islands, Greece, Iceland, India and Nepal, Madagascar, Ireland, Armenia and Georgia, Paris to Rome, Multi-Stan, Sri Lanka and The Maldives, Morocco, Peru, Vietnam/Cambodia, and, The Balkans.

Detailed information about each trip, including itineraries, costs, travel dates, and more can be found at www.geeo.org. GEEO can be reached 7 days a week, toll-free at 1-877-600-0105 between 9 AM-9 PM EST.

SUMMER 2017 TEACHERS INSTITUTE: Montréal and Ottawa: June 25-30

“Québec and the Evolution of Canada” is a unique professional development opportunity providing participants with foundations in history and geography plus contemporary cultural insights through first-hand experience.  The content is taught by academic specialists and is designed to meet Common Core, C3, and state standards.

K-12 teachers, curriculum coordinators and administrators with teaching background in social studies,geography, history and/or French, in addition to pre-service teachers, are welcome to apply.

Registration: US$699 covers transportation during the Institute, lecturer fees, admission to educational sites, curriculum materials, double-occupancy at four star hotels, and some meals.

Fulbright Award in Teaching Short Term for K-12 Educators

Announcing the launch of the 2017 Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-Term Program Online Application for K-12 educators! Teachers may travel to Botswana, Colombia, India, Mexico, the Palestinian Territories, South Korea, or Vietnam. View individual project summaries for details on program opportunities here.

Global Exploration for Educators Organization

GEEO offered the following travel programs for 2017: Bali/Lombok, Bangkok to Hanoi, Costa Rica, Eastern Europe, The Galapagos Islands, Greece, Iceland, India/Nepal, Bhutan, Ireland, Armenia/Georgia, Multi-Stan, Morocco, Myanmar (Burma), Peruvian Amazon, Peruvian Andes, Southern Africa, Vietnam/Cambodia, and the Balkans.

Detailed information about each trip, including itineraries, costs, travel dates, and more can be found at www.geeo.org. GEEO can be reached 7 days a week, toll-free at 1-877-600-0105 between 9 AM-9 PM EST.

2017 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program

Looking for a professional development opportunity to take you to places like the Galapagos, Arctic Svalbard, Alaska, and Antarctica? Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Society’s Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program brings exemplary educators committed to geography education on expeditions aboard Lindblad Expeditions ships to these locations and more in 2017. Applications are now being accepted for 2017 fellows.

Named in honor of Gilbert M. Grosvenor, Chairman Emeritus of National Geographic and the Education Foundation Board of Governors, the Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program extends his legacy of excellence in geographic education by recognizing the efforts of K-12 formal and informal educators from the 50 U.S. states, Canada, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico through this unique field-based experience.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 EST on December 31, 2016. To learn more and submit an application, please visit http://nationalgeographic.org/education/programs/grosvenor-teacher-fellowship/

96th National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference
December 2-4, 2016, Washington, DC: Civic Learning and Cultural Inquiry in a Changing World

Since the NCSS annual conference is in DC this winter, there will be no Fall VCSS state social studies conference.  Be aware that there is a special registration link for Virginia teachers to receive the discount for local educators!  (If you register via the regular NCSS registration link it will cost more!)

Individuals may register online at www.socialstudies.org/conference/local_registration. You may also use the attached individual form. Groups should use the attached group form to get the reduced fee.

The Program for Teaching East Asia, the NCTA National Coordinating Site at the University of Colorado, July 24-28, 2016

Korea’s Journey into the 21st Century: Historical Contexts, Contemporary Issues.. Rolling Admissions. Final application deadline: April 30, 2016. In this four-day residential summer institute on the University of Colorado Campus, secondary teachers will consider modern and contemporary South Korea’s distinct history, geography, intra-peninsular and international relations, and transnational cultural transmissions (e.g., K-pop, film, and design). Participants will work with specialists to learn about the Korean peninsula beyond the media coverage, drawing on Korean narratives and texts to enrich their teaching about contemporary South Korea in the classroom. Participants will receive travel allowance, room and board, materials, and stipend.

http://www.colorado.edu/cas/tea/ncta/downloads/KSI2016App.pdf

EXPLORE CUBA WITH NCGE, July 18 – 26, 2016.

The goal will be to see, experience, and learn about Cuba on its own terms, rather than simply through the lens of Cuba’s relation to the United States. On this 8-day trip, we’ll get to know Havana, and also take excursions to other notable sites in western Cuba.

Activities and excursions will focus on different aspects of geography, including historical, cultural, urban, economic, and physical geography, the geography of agriculture and food, and US-Cuba relations. On a broader level, the field trip will provide field-based learning for geography educators, develop educational resources for teachers, and demonstrate the importance of experiential learning.

Registration deadline is May 1.  Cost is $2,700. For more information go to http://www.ncgeconference.com/#!blank-3/f0n6z

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: Johnny Finn, Trip Organizer, john.finn@cnu.edu, or
Melissa Lepak, NCGE Events Coordinator, mlepak@ncge.org

JAPAN-U.S. TEACHER EXCHANGE PROGRAM FOR EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The 2016 Japan-U.S. Teacher Exchange Program for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) will provide up to 10 U.S. K-12 teachers and administrators with the opportunity to travel to a conference in San Francisco and to Japan to learn about ESD efforts and strengthen ESD curricula in both countries. The program, administered by Fulbright Japan and funded by the Japanese and U.S. governments, is fully-funded with the exception of some meals. ESD is “a vision of education that seeks to balance human and economic well-being with cultural traditions and respect for the earth’s natural resources,” according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Up to 10 educators from Japan will travel to the U.S. in late April, and up to 10 educators from the U.S. will travel to Japan in June. At the end of the program in each country, all 20 educators will gather for a few days of joint collaboration.

Please visit the program website at http://www.iie.org/Programs/ESD for more information or to start an application. The application deadline is January 20, 2016. Contact esdteacher@iie.org with any questions.

SEMINAR: EDUCATION in IRELAND, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, GALWAY

The 2016 Seminar: Education in Ireland combines the study of the Irish Educational system with an overview of Irish History, Literature and Culture. We study best practices in Irish curriculum, instruction and assessment including international benchmarks. While we review all aspects and levels of Irish Education including special education, you will also have the opportunity to focus your study in the subject area of interest.

The costs for tuition and accommodation are listed on Page 2 of the Brochure. You can register for the Seminar by completing the preliminary registration form in the brochure.

While this is an extraordinary opportunity to study another educational system, we also enjoy all there is to see and do in the West of Ireland. We go to the Galway Town Theater, attend a performance of Traditional Irish Music, we visit schools, talk to local teachers, we take you on trips to Connemara and Inishbofin Island and Omey Island, the Burren in Co. Claire and to the Clonmacnois monastic site in the mid-lands, all with University faculty as guides to give you an insider’s view of Ireland.

2016 EDUCATOR ACADEMY in the AMAZON RAINFOREST + Machu Picchu
$1000 Scholarships available

TThe July 1-11, 2016 Educator Academy in the Amazon Rainforest of Peru is a cross-curricular professional development workshop for K-12 formal and informal educators to learn and use:

• 21st Century Instruction:  5E Lesson Design ~ Inquiry-Based Exploration ~ STEM
• Inquiry Protocols & Resources:  Project Learning Tree ~ Cornell Lab of Ornithology ~ & More!
• Global and Cultural Perspectives:  Service Learning ~ Sustainability ~ Global Education

Join Al Stenstrup, Project Learning Tree (PLT); Lilly Briggs (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), Christa Dillabaugh, Amazon Rainforest Workshops; and Dr. David Pearson, Wildlife Travellers’ Guide to Peru; and work side-by-side with scientists Dr. Steve Madigosky, Widener University; and Randy Morgan, Curator/Entomologist, Cincinnati Zoo as you:

• Participate in citizen science projects and inquiry based field studies on a 1/4-mile Rainforest Canopy Walkway in one of the most biologically diverse environments on the planet.
• Spend a day in an Amazon village as you explore the complexities of sustainability and the role of education in creating a sustainable future for Amazon children.
• Work with fellow educators to explore strategies for using the Amazon as a vehicle for incorporating STEM education, inquiry-based learning, and sustainability science education into your classroom.

PLT Certification, BirdSleuth resources and 50 ASU PD Hours included. Academic Credit and Machu Picchu Extension optional.

$1000 scholarship deadline February 1^st, 2016.  Program cost is $1375 + air for scholarship recipients. Space is limited! Register early to secure your spot!

Get the details and download a syllabus and scholarship application at: http://www.amazonworkshops.com/educator-academy.html. Contact christa@amazonworkshops.com or 1-800-431-2624