Dedicated to the Teaching of Geography in the State of Illinois
Our purpose is the promotion and enhancement of geographic knowledge in the schools and among the general populace of Illinois. To achieve this purpose, the Alliance maintains a strong grassroots organization of geographic educators from schools and universities, participates in educational reform at the district, state, and national levels. We engage in an active program of preservice and in-service teacher education, develop curriculum materials based on the National Geography Standards, and foster public awareness of the importance of geography in our society.
News
2019 Barbara Petchenik Children's World Map Drawing Competition
Teachers, are you looking for a great art, science, or social studies project? Encourage your students to create an entry for the Barbara Petchenik Children's Map Competition 2019, for a chance to represent the United States as a national finalist at the International Cartographic Conference in Tokyo, Japan, from July 15-19, 2019.
This map competition celebrates the creativity, imagination, artistry, and wisdom of child mapmakers. Students from your school may become representatives of the U.S. in a map exhibit featuring student entries from around the world, and the illustrations will be considered for greeting card, calendar, and poster designs for organizations such as UNICEF. All entries must be postmarked and mailed by March 1, 2019.
Scholarship & Grant $ for Amazon Rainforest PD Workshop
What: 2019 Educator Academy in the Amazon Professional Development
When: 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 ACTSPeru 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: www.amazonworkshops.com/educator-academy
Contact program director, Christa Dillabaugh at christa@amazonworkshops.com or 1-800-431-2624 for more information.
World of 7 Billion Video Contest
Back by popular demand, the World of 7 Billion student video contest helps you bring technology and creativity into your middle and high school classes. The contest challenges students to create a short video connecting world population growth to one of three global challenges: preserving biodiversity, sustainable resource use, or human rights. Students can win cash prizes (featuring 80+ new prizes this year!), and participating teachers will receive free curriculum resources. The deadline for submissions is February 28th, 2019 – use this lesson plan to get started now! Full contest guidelines, resources for research, past winners, and more can be found here.
GeoChallenge - Want a project-based learning challenge for your students?
Bring project-based learning to your classroom through the National Geographic GeoChallenge! This annual standards-based competition empowers student teams in grades 5-8 to address a critical issue and change the planet, just like a National Geographic Explorer. This year's theme is Tackling Plastic. Register today at: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/programs/geochallenge/
Events
2019 GeoBee - Join the Ultimate Geography Competition for Grades 4-8!
Registration is open for the 2018-2019 National Geographic GeoBee! Register your school-grades 4-8-for the annual competition that inspires and rewards students' curiosity about the world. Registration includes study resources for your class, participation and school champion certificates, and more than 400 exciting GeoBee questions to quiz your students about geography, cultures, physical features, history, earth science, and more!
Register today at http://www.natgeobee.org/
Important Dates:
- August 1, 2018: Registration opens
- October 1, 2018: School GeoBee materials available for download
- October 1–February 1, 2019: School GeoBees held; date and time determined locally
- December 21: Registration by check closes.
- December 22, 2018–January 25, 2019: Registration limited to credit card transactions
- January 25, 2019: Last day for School GeoBee registration
- February 1, 2019: Deadline for completion of online State GeoBee qualifying test.
- March 4, 2019: State GeoBee qualifiers announced on NatGeoBee.org/results
- March 29, 2019: State GeoBees held
- May 19-22, 2019: National Championship held at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C.