NCGE seeks nominations for awards

The National Council for Geographic Education is now accepting nominations for the 2017 awards cycle. NCGE is dedicated to recognizing educators and advocates who have made outstanding contributions to geography education. The status of geography education is elevated every time we honor exemplars of teaching, mentoring, and creative excellence. Awards are given for teaching, research, and service, and all award recipients will be honored at the 2017 National Conference on Geography Education in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 Learn more about award deadlines and qualifications here.

 

Colonial Williamsburg–Teacher Professional Development: Mapping Revolution

During this November 5-6 weekend workshop, discover how maps, prints, and other historic objects can be used as primary sources in the classroom. Explore in depth the exhibition “We Are One: Mapping the Road from Revolution to Independence” with museum educators and experts. Experience a behind-the-scenes tour of Colonial Williamsburg’s historic area and meet people of the past as they bring to life the impact of changing political boundaries during the Revolutionary period.

For more information go to mapping workshop.

Help train the trainers

National Geographic invites Virginia teachers to participate in an exciting leadership opportunity at National Geographic HQ on October 22, 2016 from 12-3pm!

During this time, we will be hosting National Geographic Certified educators from all over the country as they prepare to become trainers for the National Geographic Educator Certification program. We request your attendance to serve as audience members and evaluators of the workshop they present. Lunch will also be served.

If you have not already been certified as a Nat Geo Educator, your attendance at this event can count as your completion of Phase 1.

Please spread the word to your educator friends and colleagues! The person who brings the most educator guests will be given a $50 gift card to spend at the Nat Geo store.

Please register and request that your colleagues register here.

 

NGS’s Giant Floor Map of Virginia debuts

“For two weeks, Fuqua School [Farmville] students are engaging with state geography in new ways, using a large map of Virginia borrowed from the Virginia Geographic Alliance (VGA). Kathy Jefferson, a fourth and fifth grader teacher, received training in July on how to use the map for classroom instruction. During the past week, Jefferson has used the map to teach elementary students at Fuqua.

According to VGA State Coordinator Ed Kinman, the map is about 20-feet by 28-feet large and gifted to VGA by the National Geographic Society. The gift marks the 30th anniversary of the state alliances. VGA also has plans to purchase more of the large state maps to lend out to schools across the state, Kinman said.”

(from the Farmville Herald, September 19, 2016)

 For complete article go to: http://www.farmvilleherald.com/2016/09/fuqua-gets-giant-map/

 

Nat Geo Kids “Weird But True” Facebook Livestream September 14

National Geographic Kids is launching its new Weird But True TV show premiering on Fox affiliate networks as part of the Xploration Station block that airs on Saturday mornings starting September 10. The show features WILD’s Expedition Granted winner Charlie Engelman and his sister Kirby as they travel the U.S. uncovering weird but true facts. To kick off these exciting new projects, Nat Geo Kids is planning a major live event on Wednesday, September 14, and will be sharing some amazing visual facts from the Weird But True franchise via livestream on Facebook. This will be a high-energy, fun, and fully rehearsed event. Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/nationalgeographickids.

In early October we also welcome you to tune in for the debut of the Weird But True radio show on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live channel 78. It will feature Nat Geo Kids Editors Becky Baines and Kate Hale who have spent years building an impressive database of the weirdest (but all true!) facts on the planet.

Nat Geo Educator Certification Fall Cohort deadline approaching

Last chance for teachers to participate in the Nat Geo Educator fall cohort! The fall cohort of the Nat Geo Educator Certification program runs September to end of November 2016. Interested K-12 educators can sign up to join via this form by Monday, September 19th.

Please note that because the program is growing slowly, we can only accept the first 200 educators who sign up.

Virtual Explorer Classroom Series Begins September 19

Want to show your students that science, exploration, and conservation are alive outside of their textbooks? Join a live video conference with a National Geographic explorer. Explorer Classroom sessions let students interact live with scientists, conservationists, and explorers around the globe.

Our first Explorer Classroom session will be held on Monday, September 19 with marine biologist Asha de Vos. Visit the website to sign up: http://nationalgeographic.org/education/programs/explorer-classroom/

National Geographic Bee – Early (Discounted!) Registration through December 22, 2016

The National Geographic Bee is an annual competition organized by the National Geographic Society, designed to inspire  and reward students’ curiosity about the world. Each year, thousands of schools across the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee, competing for college scholarships and the glory of being the National Geographic Bee Champion.

Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for the National Geographic Bee, and any paid school employee can register their school online. The National Geographic Bee registration fee is $100 per school until December 22, 2016, and $120 from December 23, 2016 until registration ends on January 23, 2017. Schools needing financial support can complete a Registration Discount Request form available here.

Sending Mail in Mongolia? ‘Dissident.sloth.ploy’ Could Be the Address

Another way to look at location. See New York Times article: http://nyti.ms/2bfcVsI

Mongol Post has long labored to deliver the mail, even in the absence of snow, rain or gloom of night. Many Mongolians still lead nomadic lives, and some have to collect mail from post-office boxes dozens of miles from home. Failed deliveries are common.

A British start-up, What3Words, that has mapped the world into 57 trillion patches of nine square meters and given each one a unique three-word identity. Find your address as three words.

Nat Geo Educator Certification: Fall Cohort

The fall cohort of the Nat Geo Educator Certification program runs September 12-November 30, 2016. Interested K-12 educators can sign up to join via this form.

Please note that because the program is growing slowly, we can only accept the first 100 educators who sign up