Did you know that 15 percent of young adults in the U.S. cannot find Iraq on a world map? U.S. Earthwatch's partnership with the National Geographic Education Foundation stands to change that by building geographic literacy through innovative educator fellowships.
Last year, 43 teachers from 10 countries joined Earthwatch expeditions around the globe as part of a pioneering program to improve geography education. This year an additional grant from the National Geographic Education Foundation (NGEF) promises to bring the inspiration of experiential education to dozens of new classrooms around the world.
In December 2005, NGEF granted $200,000 through its new initiative, Model Programs in Geography Education, in support of the Earthwatch geography and science fellowship program. The grant will provide the opportunity for 48 teachers to gain valuable field experience on an Earthwatch expedition over the next two years.
"National Geographic is proud of its role in helping states and local communities restore geography to the classroom," said Barbara Chow, vice president for education and children's programs at NGEF. "We believe today's students must have a sound knowledge of geography to prepare for their role as stewards of the planet. Our grants help bring geography into kids' daily lives."
The program, called Gateways to Geographic Literacy, proves the power of geographic learning through participatory fieldwork on scientific research expeditions in Kenya, Brazil, Australia, Belize, and other countries around the world. Educator fellows will receive hands-on training in conservation fieldwork with focus on ecosystems, human/environment interactions, mapping, and use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Global Information Systems (GIS).
Another element of the program that will be enhanced by the recent NGEF grant is the use of the latest communication technology to bring the excitement of field research, geographic inquiry, and global perspectives directly into the classroom. "Live from the Field" web posts, question/answer sessions, and teleconferencing will connect each teacher in the field with a host teacher and school. In the second year of the grant, each fellow will communicate with two host teachers, further multiplying the educational impact and collaboration.
"Gateways to Geographic Literacy" builds on partnerships already developed with eight regional geographic alliances, three technology training initiatives, and the International Baccalaureate Organization as part of a previous NGEF grant.
"This is precisely the academic 'hands-on' field training that raises the flat map to life," says Stephen Cunha, professor of geography and coordinator of the California Geographic Alliance. "This initiative tackles the dire need to advance standards-based teacher content proficiency in geography and the geosciences."