There will be a virtual panel discussion happening at 6pm on May 11 on the topic of Racial Segregation: What are the solutions? Where do we go from here? Johnny Finn from Christopher Newport will be a panelist, alongside Virginia’s Attorney General Mark Herring, Sarah Black (Deputy Director of Eastern Virginia Legal Aid), and community activist and former Hampton City Council member Will Moffett. The panel will be moderated by WAVY TV10’s Kara Dixon. It’s free and open to the public. More details are available here: https://www.facebook.com/events/475500593779952.

The Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University and the Association of German Educational Organizations recently launched a new project, the Transatlantic Exchange of Civic Educators (TECE). The fellowship application process is currently open for 10 U.S.-Americans and 10 German participants, who will engage in a professional exchange opportunity to learn about different approaches and engage in international dialogue against the backdrop of unique national approaches to youth civic development. Of potential interest for U.S.-based applicants is Germany’s robust system for lifelong extracurricular civic education and historical-political education, part of the field of youth work.

To learn more about the project and the Fellowship application process, please visit: https://tece-usde.org/. We welcome applications until May 18, 2021.  

Over the next few weeks, we will be hosting two open events to help launch this transatlantic conversation. After the main portion of each, we will be happy to answer questions about the fellowship application process.

• Civic Learning vs. Politische Bildung: A Discussion of Concepts, Infrastructures and Approaches in the US and Germany | April 20, 5:00 p.m. ET with Prof. Dr. Peter Levine of the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University and Prof. Bettina Heinrich of the Protestant University of Applied Sciences Ludwigsburg.

For more info and to register: https://tece-usde.org/kick-off-event-announced/

• Growing Up Across the Pond: Exploring the experiences of young people in Germany and the USA | May 3, noon ET with Kelly Beadle and Abby Kiesa of CIRCLE and Dr. Anne Berngruber of the German Youth Institute

For more info and to register: https://tece-usde.org/growing-up-across-the-pond/

National Geographic is recruiting educators to participate in a focus group about our Virtual Field Trips and other programming for students. We are looking for educators in the DMV area at any grade level, who will attend our upcoming Oceans virtual field trip on Wednesday, April 21, and are willing to provide feedback. The focus group will take place via Google Meet on Friday, April 23, after the school day ends (likely 3:30 or 4:00, depending on availability), and will last up to 90 minutes.  We are looking for a diverse set of DCPS educators from a variety of schools and grade levels. Participants will receive a $100 Amazon gift card to thank them for their time.  If you or others educators you know are interested, please complete this form and someone from the NGS team will reach out with additional information.

CEUTTSS, Center for European Union, Transatlantic & Trans-European Space Studies (at European Union Jean Monnet Center of Excellence at Virginia Tech) announces a webinar for high school educators from 4 – 5:30 PM on Wednesday, March 17:

Transatlantic Relations Today: Why the US-EU Relationship Remains Vital by Dr. Yannis Stivachtis, Jean Monet Chair, and Colin Baker, Blacksburg High School and Co-Director of Education and Outreach CEUTTSS. The presentation will include an Introduction to CEUTTS programs and resources. Zoom code: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/81458302981

 Upcoming Programs

JUNE 30-JULY 8

A virtual lecture by Richard Rothstein (author of The Color of Law) will be held at 6 PM on Thursday, February 25. The lecture is sponsored by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, and will be followed by a panel discussion. Dr. Johnny Finn, VGA member and geographer at Christopher Newport University, is one of the panelists. Registration is free at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-color-of-law-a-virtual-evening-with-author-richard-rothstein-registration-137163823689.

Showcase the work of your students using an Esri Organizational Account!

2021 Virginia Map Competition: What’s in my Watershed?

Possible topics include geological characteristics, flora and fauna, economic activities, environmental issues, and more! Note: The geographic focus of the student-created products must focus on the theme and be located within the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Entries will be judges in two divisions

• Grades 4-8
• Grades 9-12

Students create an ArcGIS StoryMap (“new” template), or a Classic Story Map (any of the “classic” templates), or an ArcGIS web app. 

Complete contest rules

To see examples of past winners check menu under “For Students”

Click here to register your school!

Registration Deadline: March 5, 2021

Deadline to submit entries: May 7, 2021

Winners notified: May 17, 2021

*Registration does not obligate your school to participate in the contest but gives the planners an estimate of the number of possible entries. The absence of registration does not preclude the entry into the competition.

Questions about the competition? Need a refresher on your ArcGIS Online Organizational Account? Contact vgamapstory@gmail.com

The Virginia Geographic Alliance & New American History proudly support a new speaker series:  The Legacy of Redlining, in partnership with Christopher Newport University

Registration required:

• Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 10:00 am: bit.ly/32ZOU5s
• Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 10:10:00 am: bit.ly/3fhiOqO

This series is presented free of charge and is open to all MS/HS teachers and students, museum partners, and VGA members in support of remote learning, hybrid, and face-to-face instruction. Speakers will explore themes in APHG, WG, APUSH, and US History. A recording of each presentation will be made available for asynchronous learning via the New American History YouTube Channel.

We hope to continue the series into the New Year, exploring topics including migration, food and climate justice, and more!