IGA Conferences & Workshops

Overview: This virtual workshop will provide critical Generative AI literacy skills for geography and social studies educators through short presentations combined with structured activities, including a breakout session on GenAI error identification, and educator-led scenario discussions. Participants will learn to differentiate between AI and GenAI, gain a basic understanding of their construction and function, and learn how to evaluate GenAI outputs through geographic and social studies educational contexts. No prior AI experience is required. In-service and pre-service K-16 educators from geography, social studies, and related disciplines are welcome.

Facilitator: Samantha Serrano (Geography and Civics teacher at James B. Conant High School)

Registration: Please register online by Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Space is limited. (Note: Please check that your email address is correct when completing the online registration form. A registration confirmation will be emailed to you immediately after you successfully submit your online registration form. In addition, you will receive the workshop Zoom link by email one day prior to the workshop.)

Stipend: $50 (Note: This stipend is only available to IGA members that are residents of Illinois. To become a member of the IGA, simply fill out our membership form. There is no cost to become a member.)

PD Hours: 3.25 (Note: PD hours, formerly referred to as CPDUs, are only available to IGA members that teach in Illinois, provide a valid Illinois Educator Identification Number – IEIN, and participate in the entire workshop. To become a member of the IGA, simply fill out our membership form. There is no cost to become a member.)

Overview: This virtual workshop will introduce participants to easy-to-use, pre-designed lessons that incorporate online mapping suitable for the classroom. The workshop will introduce National Geographic’s MapMaker, an easy-to-use, online website that can be used by students and teachers to create online maps for a variety of topics, along with ESRI’s GeoInquiries that are pre-designed lessons that utilize MapMaker for a range of subjects. Unlike ArcGIS Online, MapMaker and GeoInquiries do not require online student accounts! Participants will learn the basics of MapMaker through hands-on exercises while also exploring GeoInquiries and other collections to learn how to incorporate mapping into their teaching.

Facilitator: John Kostelnick (Professor of Geography at Illinois State University) and Judy Bock (Geography and GIS education consultant and retired middle school teacher)

Registration: Please register online by Sunday, June 28, 2026. Space is limited. (Note: Please check that your email address is correct when completing the online registration form. A registration confirmation will be emailed to you immediately after you successfully submit your online registration form. In addition, you will receive the workshop Zoom link by email one day prior to the workshop.)

Stipend: $100 (Note: This stipend is only available to IGA members that are residents of Illinois. To become a member of the IGA, simply fill out our membership form. There is no cost to become a member.)

PD Hours: 5.25 (Note: PD hours, formerly referred to as CPDUs, are only available to IGA members that teach in Illinois, provide a valid Illinois Educator Identification Number – IEIN, and participate in the entire workshop. To become a member of the IGA, simply fill out our membership form. There is no cost to become a member.)

Overview: ESRI’s Living Atlas of the World contains online maps, apps, and data layers that you and your students can use for free and without a log-in. This workshop introduces Esri's Living Atlas and the variety of online maps and geospatial resources you can use in your geography, social science, and environmental science courses. Learn how to access the ready-to-use resources in Living Atlas. Discover the variety of maps that you can use to enhance your instruction, such as real-time data, remotely-sensed images, iNaturalist, and basemaps. Find historic maps, census data, USGS maps, World Imagery Wayback maps, and more that can teach map reading skills, foster discussions, and develop critical thinking as your students analyze the maps. This workshop will also provide opportunities to discuss map connections and teaching activities with other educators to enhance your curriculum.

Facilitator: John Kostelnick (Professor of Geography at Illinois State University) and Judy Bock (Geography and GIS education consultant and retired middle school teacher)

Registration: Please register online by Monday, June 29, 2026. Space is limited. (Note: Please check that your email address is correct when completing the online registration form. A registration confirmation will be emailed to you immediately after you successfully submit your online registration form. In addition, you will receive the workshop Zoom link by email one day prior to the workshop.)

Stipend: $50 (Note: This stipend is only available to IGA members that are residents of Illinois. To become a member of the IGA, simply fill out our membership form. There is no cost to become a member.)

PD Hours: 3.25 (Note: PD hours, formerly referred to as CPDUs, are only available to IGA members that teach in Illinois, provide a valid Illinois Educator Identification Number – IEIN, and participate in the entire workshop. To become a member of the IGA, simply fill out our membership form. There is no cost to become a member.)