For over a decade the VGA has sponsored these academies to help build a state wide network of APHG teachers with a deep understanding of concepts taught in the APHG course and to help educators who teach any course to develop the knowledge and skills needed to ensure all learners become geo-literate.
AP Human Geography Academy Returns in October 2022!
After two years of COVID disruptions we are excited to announce that our annual AP Human Geography Academy is returning this fall. The theme of this year’s academy is Spacemaking and Placemaking in the 21st Century: A Field Study of Geographic Intersectionality and is being held on October 7-9, 2022 in Richmond, Virginia.
Academy activities include an augmented reality tour of Monument Avenue and walking tour of the Canal Walk through downtown Richmond, a visit to the newly renovated Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and a film screening of the documentary “How the Monuments Came Down”. In addition, we have booked speakers from the Center for European Union, Transatlantic, and Trans-European Space Studies, the University of Richmond, and the Valentine Museum.
If you would like to attend this year’s academy, complete the registration form at bit.ly/Landscapes2022 no later than September 26, 2022. Please share the attached academy flyer with colleagues as teachers from all curriculum areas are always welcome to attend.
If you have any questions please reach out to Stephen Chamberlin at chambsti@gmail.com or Shannon Castelo at shannon.castelo@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you in the fall and hope you have a great summer break!
2022 FLYER
[The APHG Academy slated for October 2021 was canceled due to the ongoing pandemic.]
[AP Human Geography Academy planned for October 2020 was canceled due to COVID-19.]
AP Human Geography Academy 2019: “Resilience and Change in Modern Urban Landscapes”
On October 11-13, 2019 thirty five Advanced Placement Human Geography, world geography, and history teachers gathered at Christopher Newport University to participate in an annual professional development conference sponsored by the Virginia Geographic Alliance. For over a decade the VGA has sponsored these academies to help build a network of APHG teachers who possess a deep understanding of concepts taught in the APHG course and to help all educators develop the knowledge and skills needed to ensure all learners become geo-literate.
During the three day event teachers participated in both classroom instruction and a field experience that focused on urban geography topics such as city models, resiliency in the midst of climate change and deindustrialization, climate justice, and 21st century urban renewal projects.
Resources from the academy, including a field guide, can be access on Google Drive at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GPpzoBLsJAZ9BD1Mp7nQdvPcYudZg4-f?usp=sharing
An overview of the academy in a Google Tour is available at https://tourbuilder.withgoogle.com/tour/ahJzfmd3ZWItdG91cmJ1aWxkZXJyEQsSBFRvdXIYgICgz8bv9QoM
AP Human Geography Academy 2018: “Climate Change and Shifting Agricultural Patterns
On September 28-30, 2018, twenty-seven Advanced Placement Human Geography, World Geography, Environmental Science, and Social Science teachers gathered in Chester, Virginia, to participate in an annual professional development conference sponsored by the Virginia Geographic Alliance.
During the three day event teachers participated in both classroom instruction and a field experience that focused on curriculum topics such as sustainability, urban agriculture, environmental ethics, and women in agriculture; skills such as formal observation, data collection, landscape analysis, speculation and spatial analysis; and processes such as climate change, economic development, and the Geo-Inquiry process.
Resources from the academy, including the field guide, can be accessed on Google Drive at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sQD7qlvcuSlqT8JzWmMASGZSgrE7nnNi?usp=sharing
A Story Map of academy activites is available at https://arcg.is/WLq1
AP Human Geography Academy 2017: “The Next Step: Deindustrialization and Economic Recovery in Virginia’s Rustbelt”
On October 6-8, 2017 twenty one Advanced Placement Human Geography, World Geography, and Social Science teachers gathered in Southside Virginia to participate in an annual professional development conference sponsored by the Virginia Geographic Alliance. The group also included several university faculty members as well as a graduate student conducting research related to professional development opportunities for AP Human Geography teachers.
During the three day event teachers participated in both classroom instruction and a field experience that focused on curriculum topics such as regional cultural identity, sense of place, economic development models/approaches, and agritourism; skills such as formal observation, data collection, landscape analysis, speculation and spatial analysis; and processes such as cultural diffusion, migration, deindustrialization, economic restructuring, and globalization. A field guide was developed by academy co-coordinator to provide teachers with materials and examples of teaching activities they can incorporate into their classroom instruction.
The flyer promoting the academy gives specific details regarding the academy schedule and speakers. Shannon Castelo (shannon_castelo@ccpsnet.net) and Stephen Chamberlin (chambsti@gmail.com) served as directors..
Resources from the academy, including the field guide, can be accessed on Google Drive at https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7j4vRSzEEeTODZORzFzVlhMcDA
A story map of academy activities, prepared by Stephen Chamberlin, is available here.
Southwest Virginia APHG Academy 2016
Directors: Shannon Castelo (Chesterfield County Public Schools) and Stephen Chamberlin (Chesapeake Public Schools)
On October 7-9, 2016 twenty Advanced Placement Human Geography, Biology, Ecology, and History and Social Science teachers gathered in Southwest Virginia to participate in an annual professional development workshop sponsored by the Virginia Geographic Alliance. The group also included pre-service teachers from Virginia Tech and Christopher Newport University.
During the three day event teachers participated in both classroom instruction and a field experience that focused on curriculum topics such as regional cultural identity, folk cultures, language and dialects, economic development, mining and resource extraction, environmental determinism, possibilism, and human development indicators; skills such as formal observation, data collection, landscape analysis, speculation and spatial analysis; and processes such as cultural diffusion, migration, deindustrialization, economic restructuring, and globalization. A field guide was developed to provide teachers with materials and examples of teaching activities they can incorporate into their classroom instruction.
Resources from the academy can be accessed on Google Drive at https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B22Nk0lGEtkLLXp0dFY2SjZVWFU
A story map of academy activities, prepared by Stephen Chamberlin, is available here.
AP Human Geography Academy 2016: Urban Landscapes in Northern Virginia
Directors: Shannon Castelo and Stephen Chamberlin, Chesapeake Public Schools
The academy stressed exploration, investigation, and use of local geographic phenomena to illustrate and allow teachers to apply a plethora of geographic concepts and topics such as sense of place and location, sequent occupancy, human-environment interaction, international trade, ethnic identification, terrorism; skills such as formal observation, data collection, landscape analysis, speculation and spatial analysis; and processes such as diffusion, urbanization, revitalization, acculturation.
The series of mini-field experiences gave teachers several opportunities to participate in professional development and build a wider network of APHG teachers. Resources developed for the workshop can be found at: https://drive.google.com/a/ccpsnet.net/folderview?id=0B22Nk0lGEtkLNmk3MTRYREs2b28&usp=sharing
Among them are the NOVA field guide, the study guide for Tom Gjelten’s book A Nation of Nations: A Great American Immigration Story, and the PowerPoint presentations, as well as articles on Richmond provided by Dr. Patterson.
The story map developed at the VA Geographic Alliance APHUG Academy, Spring 2016 can be found at http://arcg.is/1RAsBXb
A review of the Academy by Tammy D. Whitt:
….I joked with the organizer that it was more like a boot camp because we had no downtime, but I didn’t mind because it was jam packed with information. The quality of the speakers was phenomenal and all of the members were very welcoming. They couldn’t wait to share their expertise. I feel like I already have an excellent collaboration network in place. They mentioned that AP Geo readers are needed and what a great opportunity it is to learn about the test and raise those scores, so I would encourage…teachers who are eligible to apply.
Highlights of the Academy:
Author and NPR reporter Tom Gjelten attended to discuss his book “A Nation of Nations: A Great American Immigration Story” which uses Northern Virginia to show how immigration has shaped the US over time. This is an excellent resource for any history class and particularly timely with the issues being raised in the upcoming presidential election. I got a signed copy free! Mr. Gjelten also created a study guide for us for possible summer assignments or use in class.
Dr. Barbara Crain and Ms. Frances Coffey took us on an extensive field study of Northern Virginia where we toured the planned city of Reston, explored how eminent domain affected a community, went through the Tech corridor…. I received several activities that I can use immediately when I begin teaching the subject.
Penny Anderson, an AP Human Geo teacher from Spotsylvania, designed a scavenger hunt of DuPont Circle that highlighted various AP Human Geo urban concepts.
Professors from Mary Washington and George Washington University ( Dr. Lisa Benton-Short) also spoke about ethnicity and housing in Northern Virginia. I received information about mapping programs available free online.
The accommodations were very nice and so was the food. They have a trip coming up to Southern Virginia in October, and one of the organizers of this trip is a colleague in Chesapeake who has promised to collaborate with me, Stephen Chamberlin.
Thanks to all for a great experience.
Tammy D. Whitt, Norfolk Public Schools
APHG Eastern Shore Academy 2014
Find materials from the 2014 Eastern Shore Academy here.
Other Virginia AP Human Geography workshops and activities.
Access all resources from the AP Human Geography workshop presented on Tuesday August 26, 2014 for Chesterfield County Public Schools here.
