Events

Teachers from around the world, including several in Colorado, are participating in the Association of American Geographers' My Community Our Earth (MyCOE) Global Connections and Exchange Program Initiative.

U.S. Schools Forge Foreign Connections Via Web, Robin L. Flanigan, Education Week, January 23, 2012

Global Learning Blog, Education Week

News

• National Geographic Announces Geography Legislators of the Year

  On February 28th 2013, the National Geographic Education Foundation awarded its Geography Legislator of the Year Awards to key congressional leaders for their commitment to making high-quality geography education available for all K-12 students, preparing young Americans for success. Among those recognized for their dedication to geography education was Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)  For the full press release from National Geographic, follow this link.

• The Importance of Geographic Literacy in the Denver Post
  

  During the Teaching Geography is Fundamental campaign, the Denver Post published a letter from COGA Coordinators Steve Jennings and Rebecca Theobald reinforcing the need for geographic literacy.  Check out the full article on the Denver Post website.

• National Geographic's Giant Map of Asia visited schools on the Western Slope in April 2012.  Watch the video from the KREX newsroom for a new view of the continent.
• Experts say social sciences are being left behind.  Read an article in Education Week from November 30, 2011 or the report by University of Michigan faculty.
• National Geographic's Giant Map of the Pacific traveled to several schools in Colorado, including those in Norwood.  See the last page of The Norwood Post for photos.
• July 20, 2011 saw the release of the latest indication that students' knowledge of social studies is on the decline.  Check out various interpretations of "The Nation's Report Card: Geography 2010, Grades 4, 8, and 12".  Education Week, National Geographic, and EdNewsColorado have all weighed in. To see the complete report, click here.
• Giant Map in Pueblo - "Mapping Knowledge", Adrian Garcia, The Pueblo Chieftain, Sunday, June 12, 2011
• Blueprint Needed for Geography Education - Association of American Geographers' Newsletter, April 2010
• Colorado State Assessment System to Include Social Studies Summative Assessment
  • Colorado State Board of Education Approves Attributes for Colorado's New Assessment System, December 7, 2010
  • SBE adopts framework for new state tests, December 4, 2010
  • Bleak prospects for future K-12 support, December 3, 2010
  • Colorado State Board of Education and Colorado Commission on Higher Education Unanimously Adopt State Assessment Attributes, November 29, 2010
  • Teachers want social studies assessment test, November 9, 2010
  • State Board of Education Hears Suggestion to Add Social Studies as Statewide Test, November 4, 2010
  • Groups Want Social Studies Added to Statewide Tests, November 4, 2010
  • State board starts to look beyond Dwight, November 3, 2010
  • Colorado Department of Education, Assessment Stakeholder Meeting, Minutes, October 15, 2010
• Listen to The Writer's Almanac to learn about the first issue of National Geographic magazine, published on September 22, 1888.
• Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic announced in June of 2010 six Grosvenor Teacher Fellows, K-12 teachers who have demonstrated a firm commitment to and accomplishment in geographic education.  Colorado was fortunate to have Daniel Snare, who teaches 11th and 12th grade Science, Technology, and GIS at Warren Tech in Lakewood chosen as a Fellow, with Erik Eckhoff from Poudre High School in Fort Collins selected as one of four alternates.  Congratulations all around!  This year's Grosvenor Teacher Fellows joined expeditions to the Arctic during June and July. See photos from Dan's trip in the Summer 2010 Newsletter.
• Kudos to Martha Alvarez, biology teacher at William J. Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, and to Martha Morris, science teacher at Commmunity Prep School in District 11 - they both attended National Geographic's 2010 National Teacher Leadership Academy: Ocean in La Jolla, California.
• National Geographic Bee - Colorado 2010 Finalist, Isabella Contolini, YouTube
• Reflections on ESRI-Colorado Geographic Alliance Collaboration on Five Professional Development Opportunities, by Joseph Kerski
  
• Giant Map in Colorado Springs: PowerPoint of Giant Map in Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs Gazette photo 
• Coordinators Steve Jennings and Rebecca Theobald provided 50 high school sophomores with perspectives on Global Awareness during "21st Century Skills - The World Beyond", a program sponsored by Junior Achievement and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.  See newspaper and television coverage.

Planning

• COGA Stakeholders: Landscape Discovery
• 2008 COGA Survey Results
  
  

Workshops

• "Looking Forward and Backward:  Historical, Geographical, and Environmental Perspectives on Climate Change" Workshop, held August 8th, 2012 at the History Colorado Center was a smashing success, and we thank all who participated.  Special thanks to History Colorado and CAEE for their hard work and collaboration on this endeavor.  The workshop powerpoint from Dr. Steve Jennings can be found here.
  • Documents from the Issues presentation from Katie Navin can be found here:
    • The 5 Step Process
    • Action Packed and Ready to Go
    • Defining the Problem and Issue
    • Teaching Environmental Issues
    • NAAEE Educational Guidelines
• See photos from the 2010 summer institute in Leadville.
• 2009/2010 COGA Workshops