Connecticut Geographic Alliance

The Newsletter of the Connecticut Geographic Alliance Endowed by the National Geographic Society Education Foundation
Volume 22, Issue 3		Spring 2010

Contacting CGA Connecticut Geographic Alliance University of Connecticut Geography Department CLAS Building U-4148 Storrs, Connecticut 06269-4148 Phone: 860-486-0374 Fax: 860-486-1348 Email: Thomas.Brodnitzki@uconn.edu Co-coordinators William DeGrazia Educator 203-375-8882 BDGeoTC@aol.com Thomas Brodnitzki Geography Teacher, Metropolitan Learning Center, Bloomfield Adjunct Instructor, Department of Geography, University of Connecticut 860-485-8105 TBrodnitzki@mlc.crec.org Rita Courtois, Administrative Assistant RitaCourtois@yahoo.com Please contact Rita by email to update your email address or school information. CGA Website: www.CTGeoAlliance.org Newsletter Contributors Thanks are extended to several CGA members who contributed information for this edition of On the Road including Bill DeGrazia, Joyce Crebase, Kathleen Ryan, Tom Brodnitzki, Elena Gibbons Serapiglia, Jeffrey Dunn, Lyn Malone, and Rita Courtois. CGA — Now On Facebook! Submifted by Laura Krenicki, Professional Development / Outreach Coordinator Are you one of the millions of people using the social networking site Facebook to reconnect with old friends, keep in touch with family members, and make connections with new people? The Connecticut Geographic Alliance now has its own Facebook page! Search for “Connecticut Geographic Alliance” and become a fan! Check the page often for updates, special events, and news from the CGA. Mark Your Calendars! May 18, 2010 CGA’s 19th Annual High School Geographic Challenge, University of Connecticut, Storrs May 25-26, 2010 National Geographic Bee, Washington, D.C. July 5-9, 2010 Advanced Placement Human Geography summer institute, Taft Educational Center, Watertown July 6-9, 2010 PIER Summer Institute, “Ecuador: A Land of Diversity,” Yale University, New Haven July 26-27, 2010 “Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies” summer institute, Webster Hill School, West Hartford August 2, 2010 CGA Summer Teacher Workshop, “Interactive Maps to Enhance Student Learning,” University of Connecticut Libraries Map and Interactive Center, Storrs September 15, 2010 CGA Steering Committee Meeting, Welles-Turner Memorial Library, Glastonbury, 5:00 p.m. September 29-October 3, 2010 National Council for Geographic Education Annual Conference, “Building Bridges for Geography Education,” Savannah, Georgia October 21, 2010 Geography Awareness Week 2010 Kickoff Event, Yale University, New Haven October 29, 2010 Connecticut Council for the Social Studies Fall Conference, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain October 29-30, 2010 NESTVAL Annual Meeting, University of Connecticut, Storrs November 12-14, 2010 National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference, “Vistas, Visions and Voices,” Denver, Colorado November 15-19, 2010 Geography Awareness Week Save the Date -- Geography Awareness Week Kickoff 2010 National Geographic’s Geography Awareness Week will be celebrated from November 15 through November 19, 2010. The new theme will be Oceans. The Connecticut Geographic Alliance will sponsor its annual Geography Awareness Week Kickoff Event at Yale University on October 21, 2010. This program is intended to give teachers ideas, materials, and resources to help them implement the year’s theme in their classrooms. Additional information about the 2010 theme and the Kickoff event will be available in the fall edition of the newsletter and on the CGA website (www.CTGeoAlliance.org). We hope to see many of you on October 21! Teaching Geography is Fundamental Legislation Submitted by William DeGrazia, CGA Co-coordinator Background Geography is recognized as a “core academic subject” in No Child Left Behind, but there is no dedicated federal funding stream to advance the discipline. The other eight core subjects all have received dedicated federal funding since the original No Child Left Behind legislation was signed into law in 2002. The National Geographic Society and the State Geography Alliances around the country support the Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act (TGIF). By building upon education programs funded by the National Geographic Society Education Foundation and implemented by the State Geography Alliances, TGIF would authorize grants to universities, nonprofit organizations, and state and local education agencies to support innovative programs to expand geographic/geospatial literacy among U.S. students and improve the teaching of geography at the K-12 level. Current Status TGIF was introduced during the 111th Congress as S. 749 by Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and as H.R. 1240 by Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congressman (now Senator) Roger Wicker (R-MS). To date, Congressmen Joe Courtney (D-2), John Larson (D-1), and Christopher Murphy (D-5) have signed on as co-sponsors and Senator Dodd continues his leadership in the Senate. Representatives Jim Himes (D-4) and Rosa DeLauro (D-3) have expressed their support, but we would like you to encourage them to join the 103 co-sponsors in the House and 23 co-sponsors in the Senate. We would also encourage you to write Senator Joe Lieberman (I) to become a co-sponsor of the legislation. Our goal is for the TGIF legislation to be passed during the 111th Congress, whether via NCLB or another legislative vehicle. Major Features of the TGIF Bill The Department of Education would make a grant to a national nonprofit geographic education organization or consortium of organizations. The bulk of the funding then would be directed to sub grants for universities, nonprofit organizations, and state and local agencies to support innovative geography education programs at the state and local levels. In addition, the national nonprofit organizations would undertake geography education research and programs of national significance. The sub grants to the state and local level would specifically support: Teacher training programs; Application of Internet and other distance learning technology to the teaching of geography; Advancement of viable academic standards and assessment techniques to guide and measure student performance in geography; Research in geography education; Replication of best practices and model programs; Development and dissemination of effective classroom materials. Funding Level The bill authorizes $15 million per year for five years. At the same time, we will be working through the appropriations process to get start-up funding to pilot the program. How Can I Help? Please write your Congressman and Senator Lieberman encouraging them to co-sponsor the bill. If your member of Congress is a co-sponsor, please write/email them and thank them for their support on this vital issue for the children of Connecticut. Spread the Word about Geography in Your School Do you have a great geography program in your school? Are you running Geo Clubs, GeoLiteracy nights, or have you had an amazing Geography Awareness Week celebration? Did you face any challenges or difficulties in executing these clubs or events? We want to hear about it! We'd love to hear about your experiences, and also would like to know if there are ways we can help to support your programs. We have a giant US map available for loan, which could make your event extra special. There are a few teachers using it this spring, so let us know if you'd like to borrow it before all of the dates are reserved! To reserve the map, please contact Laura Krenicki (krenickilaura@yahoo.com) to set up a schedule. Summer Advanced Placement Human Geography Institute Teachers who are interested in teaching the A.P. Human Geography course are encouraged to attend a College Board-sponsored workshop this summer. Ken Keller, Danbury High School APHG teacher, will lead this workshop at the Taft Educational Center in Watertown from July 5 through July 9. The registration deadline is June 1. It will cover the key topics of the course. Participants will evaluate teaching materials and engage in discussions and activities related to the key topics. Those attending will also participate in a local cultural landscape field study as part of their training. The CGA may be able to offer financial support for Connecticut teachers wishing to attend this workshop. Contact CGA co-coordinator William DeGrazia (BDGeoTC@aol.com) for details. Additional information regarding the workshop, tuition, and registration can be found at http://www.taftschool.org/tec/overview.aspx. Teaching & Learning with Monarch Butterflies Contributed by Joyce Crebase, CGA Teaching Consultant July 26-27, 2010 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Webster Hill School, West Hartford Cost $99 Here is an exciting workshop that will help you get your next school year off to an amazing start with caterpillars and butterflies in your classroom. Students invariably love them. Not only do students get interested, they learn in all subject areas. Teachers leave this two-day workshop with the knowledge and materials to enhance their students’ education including language arts, science, math, geography, and more. Teachers receive hands-on experiences and instruction by experienced teachers. They learn how to lead inquiry-based science activities. They gain the knowledge necessary to raise Monarchs in the classroom and make cages they will use. On a local field trip participants search for eggs and caterpillars and learn to identify them. Training includes indoor and outdoor games and activities. There is a strong Canada/United States/Mexico connection since Monarchs migrate from Canada and the United States to Mexico. There is a spring trip to Mexico to study the Monarchs in their winter habitat as well for those who are interested. Join other enthusiastic educators in a beautiful air-conditioned school library for two days of fun and a fantastic learning experience. For further information and an application go to www.MonarchTeacherNetwork.org. Click on Monarch Workshops or Workshop Registration forms. A limited number of grants are available for this workshop from the CGA. To apply you must mail your completed application and a check for $99 to EIRC. Then mail a copy of your application and check to Rita Courtois, Connecticut Geographic Alliance, P.O. Box 275, Vernon, CT 06066-0275. Grants are offered on a first come, first served basis, so don’t delay! If you have further questions, email Joyce Crebase of the Connecticut Geographic Alliance and the Monarch Teacher Network at crebase@sbcglobal.net. Hope to see many of you in July! DVDs Available for Loan from the CGA The Alliance has copies of two DVDs produced by the Arizona Geographic Alliance: “Integrating Geography with Reading and Writing” and “Integrating Geography with Mathematics.” In addition, we also have a copy of a DVD about the Peters Map Projection. If you are interested in borrowing one of these DVDs, please email CGA Co-coordinator William DeGrazia at BDGeoTC@aol.com and we will ship them to you as soon as possible. Ecology Kits Available Teachers! Looking for a way to blend mapping, computer, and other technology skills with environmental studies? CGA has five ecology kits available for loan to Connecticut schools. Two are Amphibian Kits, two are Terrestrial Kits, and one is a Water Kit. Each kit has equipment for collecting and observing samples, performing various tests, and books for identifying specimens. These kits are valued at up to $600 but CGA requests only that borrowers cover the shipping and handling costs along with a security deposit (which will be refunded after the kits are returned in good condition). For additional information on these kits, please contact the Connecticut Geographic Alliance's office at 860-486-0374. CGA Members in the News Submitted by William DeGrazia, CGA Co-coordinator Richard Benfield, professor of geography at Central Connecticut State University and a moderator and final round judge at numerous Connecticut State Geographic Bees, was awarded a Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust Grant for his project, “Diversifying Gardens: Attracting New Ethnic Audiences and Hiring More Ethnic Minorities in America’s Public Gardens.” Benfield will investigate the multi-ethnic nature of two world-renowned botanical gardens, Kirstenbosch in Cape Town, South Africa, and van Dusen Botanic Garden in Vancouver, British Columbia. Nancy Rogalsky, an outstanding teacher at Farm Hill School in Middletown, recently received a prestigious “Teaching American History With Liberty and Justice for All” grant from ACES and Yale University. Nancy is using the grant to teach students at Farm Hill and in the Middletown district about the history, geography, and government of colonial times. Nancy is also conducting a Family Geography Challenge at her school. She is a long-time Teacher Consultant for the Connecticut Geographic Alliance. CGA would like to welcome its newest member, Marsha Alibrandi (SGI 89). Marsha is an Assistant Professor of Secondary Education and Curriculum at Fairfield University’s Graduate School of Education. She has been instrumental in planning activities and coordinating events for the Connecticut Consortium for Teaching with Primary Source Documents. The CGA is proud to be working with libraries and educational groups across the state using Library of Congress materials. If you or a colleague has achieved a notable moment in geography education, please send the news to Bill DeGrazia at BDGeoTC@aol.com for inclusion in a future CGA newsletter. Connecticut High School Geographic Challenge Contributed by Kathleen Ryan, Geographic Challenge Chairperson The 19th annual High School Geographic Challenge is planned for Tuesday, May 18, 2010, at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. Sponsored by the Connecticut Geographic Alliance and the National Geographic Society Education Foundation, this is a challenging competition for high school students to test their geographic knowledge, understandings, and skills through a variety of team activities. It is the only statewide geography competition for high school students. Students who were involved in the middle school Geographic Bee find the Challenge an exciting way to keep up their interest in geography. Participants compete as a team against others from across the state in a daylong series of events. The activities, questions, and challenges require thinking and problem-solving skills similar to those found on standardized tests. The theme for the 2010 Challenge is “Mapping Europe,” mirroring the year’s Geography Action! theme. Fifteen teams of up to five students each are registered to compete on May 18 including students from Danbury High School, E.O. Smith High School (Storrs), East Catholic High School (Manchester), Hamden High School, Housatonic Valley Regional High School (Falls Village), Metropolitan Learning Center (Bloomfield), Bacon Academy (Colchester), East Lyme, Norwich Free Academy, and Staples High School (Westport). Good luck to all competitors and their coaches. Results of the always lively competition will be posted on the CGA’s website (www.CTGeoAlliance.org) and will appear in the fall newsletter. Geography Club Activities Geography is an important discipline at all levels of education. At the elementary level, students are naturally curious about the world around them. Teachers or others who work with these students are always looking for ways to build on this natural curiosity and excitement for learning new things. Often there isn’t time during the instructional day to dig deeper and spend time on geography projects and in-depth lessons. One way to answer this need is to sponsor a Geography Club at school. The Curriculum & Instruction Committee of the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) provides support for such clubs in elementary schools. An overview for setting up a club and many activities are available at http://www.ncge.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3309. Activities for the previous three years can be found on the site. Activities include a map activity, a main feature, and questions for students to research. The activities are aligned with the National Geography Standards. Summer Workshop for Teachers Exciting New CGA Collaboration with MAGIC This spring, the Connecticut Geographic Alliance is beginning an exciting new collaboration with MAGIC. The University of Connecticut Libraries' Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC), collects maps, atlases, gazetteers, aerial photographs, and digital geospatial data pertaining to the state of Connecticut, New England, and the world. MAGIC digitizes public domain and copyright free maps and resources in order to enable researchers to have digital access to these resources. MAGIC is focused on "Digitizing the Past to Empower 21st Century Research" to develop an interdisciplinary collection of geospatial resources and maps which focus upon the state of Connecticut. MAGIC provides assistance with GIS questions, Web Map Service (WMS), and Mash-ups utilizing data on the MAGIC website. On August 2, 2010, the CGA and MAGIC will present a workshop entitled “Interactive Maps to Enhance Student Learning” at the University of Connecticut’s Homer Babbidge Library on the Storrs campus. It will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a break for lunch. The workshop is geared toward teachers of students in grades five through twelve. Each participant will be eligible to receive 0.5 CEUs upon completion of the program. This workshop is essentially free for participants. The CGA requests a $25 registration deposit that will be refunded upon completion of the workshop. The registration deadline is July 6, 2010. Questions regarding the workshop can be directed to Jeffrey Dunn at MAGIC (jeffrey.dunn@uconn.edu). REGISTRATION FOR CGA – MAGIC SUMMER WORKSHOP “Interactive Maps to Enhance Student Learning” August 2, 2010 – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. University of Connecticut, Storrs Participant Name ____________________________________________________________ Home Address ______________________________________________________________ Home (or Cell) Phone ___________________________________ Email Address _________________________________________ School ____________________________________________________________________ School Address ______________________________________________________________ What grade levels do you teach? _____________________ Send registration form and $25 refundable deposit by 7-6-10 to: Rita Courtois CGA Administrative Assistant P.O. Box 275 Vernon CT 06066-0275 Magic workshop flyer PIER Summer Institutes Planned Yale University’s Programs in International Educational Resources (PIER) will sponsor several institutes during July 2010. The PIER institutes are intensive, interdisciplinary programs which include lectures and seminars by leading scholars and experts from Yale and other institutions, films, workshops, field trip and site visits, hands-on cultural activities, teaching resource and strategy sessions, and sessions on technological resources for teaching about different areas of the world. “Ecuador: A Land of Diversity” July 6 through July 9, 2010 – Yale University How should educators conceive of and teach about Ecuador? With the focus of providing a general overview of the nation, this institute will discuss important current events, and explore Ecuadorian geography, politics, history, and economics. Experts on Ecuador will share their expertise during this dynamic, intensive, interdisciplinary week. Apart from learning about the amazing natural diversity found in this nation we will also learn about its cultural richness. Educators in the Northeast will find this four-day institute useful because of the growing number of migrants from Ecuador to the U.S., especially to New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Educators and members of the media and business communities are welcome to register for this institute to improve their understanding of Ecuador and Ecuadorian communities in the United States. The New Haven portion of this institute will be complemented by an optional field study, “The Indigenous Peoples and Cultures of Ecuador,” and will include orientation tours, site visits to museums, meetings with various cultural groups, and lectures. The group will be based in Quito, but will also travel to various locations in the Andean highlands. The registration fee for the New Haven program is $150, and includes all texts, materials, and more. The workshop is sponsored by the Council on Latin American & Iberian Studies, the MacMillan Center, and the U.S. Department of Education through a Title VI National Resource Center grant and is co-sponsored by the Connecticut Geographic Alliance. Please contact Elena Serapiglia, PIER Director, for more information at 203-432-5605 or by email at elena.serapiglia@yale.edu. Other PIER Summer Institutes http://www.yale.edu/macmillan/pier/institutes.htm The Teaching of Africa (African Studies) – July 6-16 Immigration, Ethnicity and Religion in Europe / Yale-Hopkins Summer Seminar (European Studies) – July 6-13 Ethnicity and Social Change in Silk Road Regions of Western China (East Asian Studies) – July 6-9 NCSS-PIER Conference “Innovative Approaches to Teaching World History” -- July 14-16 GIS Educators – Share Your Expertise with Others Contributed by Lyn Malone, World Views: Spatial Technologies for Education The New England Association of Regional Councils (NEARC) and the New England Geography Alliance Network will hold their 3rd annual GIS Educators Day on November 7, 2010 at the Marriott Hotel in Newport, Rhode Island. The event, which focuses on the use of GIS in both K-12 classrooms and higher education, is a one-day pre-conference to NEARC’s annual user conference that runs from November 7-10. The event is for experienced GIS users as well as for those who want to learn about the educational possibilities of this powerful tool. Informal educators (4-H, after school programs, scouts, etc.) are also encouraged to participate. If you have any questions about the conference or to submit an abstract for a presentation at GIS Educators Day, contact Lyn Malone at lmalone@worldviewsgis.com. If you are interested in submitting a presentation proposal for the main NEARC conference itself, go to http://www.northeastarc.org/2010/html/call10.shtml to submit a proposal online. Climate Change Kids Site The Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Change Kids Site is a website designed to educate children about climate change and global warming (http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/). The site presents the potential causes and effects of climate change along with explanations of the greenhouse effect and the global climate system. In addition, the website describes several methods for reducing global warming and includes a glossary of relevant terms, online games, and links to other websites designed to inform children about global warming and other environmental issues. Connecticut Geographic Bee News Madison Student Crosses Continents to Win Contributed by Bill DeGrazia, Connecticut Geographic Alliance Co-coordinator & Connecticut Geographic Bee Coordinator Darius Mostaghimi, a thirteen year old from Walter C. Polson Middle School in Madison, Connecticut, had to travel the world in defeating runner-up Jack Walsh, an eighth grader from Fairfield County Homeschoolers to become the 22nd Connecticut State Geographic Bee Champion. Darius took top honors by matching answer for answer with Jack in the Championship Round on questions that covered Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Darius won by answering the tiebreaker question from moderator Brad Drazen of NBC-30 Television, “What country includes the islands of Melville Mornington and Bathurst?” His answer, “Australia,” won Darius $100, a “National Geographic Collegiate Atlas of the World” and an all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the finals of the 22nd annual National Geographic Bee on May 25 and May 26. The Bee is a program of the National Geographic Society. This year’s state sponsors are Google™ and Plum Creek. One hundred fourth to eighth graders from across Connecticut took part in the Bee. Michael Lally, an eighth grader from Newtown Middle School, finished third. Others advancing to the finals were Michael Borecki from the Hindley School in Darien, Christopher Hard of Greens Farm Academy, Reed Kelly of Tomlinson Middle School in Fairfield, Zachary James of Western Middle School in Greenwich, Gregory Graham from East Ridge Middle School in Ridgefield, Jake Morris from the King Low Heywood Thomas School in Stamford, and Carson Drew from Latimer Lane School in Simsbury. Darius will now compete in the national competition. First prize is a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society. Second and third place finishers receive $15,000 and $10,000 college scholarships. Additionally, the national winner will travel (along with a parent or guardian), all expenses paid, to the Galápagos Islands with “Jeopardy!” quiz show host and National Geographic Bee moderator Alex Trebek and the “Jeopardy!” Clue Crew. Good luck, Darius! Remember, it is never too early to think about next year’s Bee. Information about the Bee, including registration, can be found at www.nationalgeographic.com/geographybee/. Giant Traveling Map of South America Available in Fall 2010 Imagine your students scaling the high peaks of the Andes, searching for the ancient city of Machu Pichu, then following the Amazon River from its alpine headwaters thousands of miles through the Brazilian rain forest all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Or, perhaps they will traverse the fertile Pampas on their way to historic Buenos Aires, where they bravely set sail southward around Cape Horn and out to the Pacific Ocean to visit the Galapagos Islands! This and more can happen all in an afternoon at your school on National Geographic’s new Giant Traveling Map of South America, the latest in a series of maps that make geography come alive for students in ways they will never forget! Available starting October 4, 2010, this new map of South America invites students to explore the amazing physical features of this vast continent. The map will measure approximately 26’ x 35’ and, like all Giant Traveling Maps, comes with a trunk of fun and content-rich activities, props, and other educational resources. Reserve now! Schools and other organizations may now submit requests for the Giant Maps for the 2010-2011 school year. Maps of Africa, North America, Asia, and South America are currently available for loans from two to forty-eight weeks. To request a map, complete the form at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/giantmaps. If you already submitted a request for 2010-11 and would like to now change your request to a South America map, you do not need to submit a new form. Email Dan Beaupre (dbeaupre@ngs.org) with your revised first, second, and third choices and changes (if any) to preferred dates. Please note: the South America map will not be ready for loan until October 4, 2010. Third Annual MLC Global Ideas Festival HAITI: Expressions, Memories, Rebirth May 7-14, 2010 A week to inform and inspire Workshops, performances, exhibits, films and speakers will address Haiti’s history, culture, challenges and future. All events will take place at the CREC Metropolitan Learning Center 1551 Blue Hills Avenue Bloomfield, CT (unless otherwise indicated in the program) http://mlcglobalideasfestival.shutterfly.com/ Events are open to the community with a voluntary offering. Funds raised will support the rebuilding of a school in Haiti and will be matched by the Bezos Foundation up to $2500. http://studentsrebuild.org/ For a working schedule and other information, including sponsorship opportunities, please see the website http://mlcglobalideasfestival.shutterfly.com/ “Canada and the American Curriculum” National Conference The Center for the Study of Canada, in affiliation with the United States Department of Education-designated National Resource Centers on Canada, will present the “Canada and the American Curriculum” National Conference at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C., on May 24 and May 25, 2010. The Ambassador of Canada to the United States of America, the Honorable Gary Doer, will host this innovative and strategic conference. It is being organized by the Center for the Study of Canada, State University of New York College at Plattsburgh. Partners include the Canadian-American Center, University of Maine; the Center for Canadian-American Studies, Western Washington University; the Canadian Studies Center, University of Washington; and the Embassy of Canada. The long-standing relationship between the U.S. and Canada is vital to both nations’ political, economic, and social welfare, yet the singular importance of Canada to the United States is a subject rarely considered in American classrooms. For example, thirty-five American states have Canada as their number one export market and more than eight million American jobs depend on trade with Canada. Three hundred thousand people cross the Canada-U.S. border daily as well as approximately $1.5 billion in goods and services. Canada and the U.S. share the world’s largest and most comprehensive trading relationship, and though our historic, geographic, and human interactions are deeply intertwined, Canada is often overlooked in national directives and state curriculum standards in addition to classroom textbooks that follow their lead. The official venue for the “Canada in the American Curriculum” National Conference is the Embassy of Canada. Attendees are required to complete a registration form in advance and are expected to provide appropriate identification on arrival for security purposes. The Embassy of Canada is located at: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Travel and accommodations are to be arranged independently by attendees. There is no registration fee to participate in this conference. For registration information, please contact Amy Sotherden, Outreach Coordinator, directly by telephone at (518) 564-2385 or by email at amy.sotherden@plattsburghedu no later than Monday, May 3, 2010. NCGE Annual Meeting The National Council for Geographic Education will hold its 95th Annual Meeting from September 29 through October 3, 2010 at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott in Savannah, Georgia. The 2010 theme is “Building Bridges for Geography Education.” More information about the conference and hotel accommodations can be obtained through the NCGE website (www.ncge.org). NCSS Annual Conference The National Council for the Social Studies will hold its 90th Annual Conference from November 12 through November 14, 2010 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. With the theme Vistas, Visions & Voices, the 2010 NCSS Annual Conference will bring together top professionals in social studies education and highlight the central role of social studies in our schools—preparing 21st century citizens who have learned from the voices of the past to envision an interdependent global society of the future. Hosting the NCSS Conference for the first time in almost forty years, Denver offers an ideal social laboratory to explore the conference theme, combining a thriving art and cultural scene, diverse neighborhoods, proud and active residents, and world-class universities, all in a breathtaking natural environment. The conference will include more than 400 sessions, workshops, poster presentations, clinics, tours, speakers and panels, and social events. Additional information about the conference and lodging can be found on the NCSS website (www.ncss.org). 2010 NESTVAL Annual Meeting The Department of Geography at the University of Connecticut will host the 2010 Annual Meeting of the NESTVAL (New England-St. Lawrence Valley) geographical society on October 29 and October 30 at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Building on the Storrs campus. NESTVAL is a division of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) whose membership includes people from all over the world. The NESTVAL division’s membership includes faculty and people from private industry from New England and the maritime region of Canada. NESTVAL is seeking to expand its membership ranks and this conference would be an excellent opportunity to see what the organization offers. The coordinator for this event is Dr. Tom Cooke (MNESTVAL2010@gmail.com). Special events for the 2010 conference will include Student Paper and Poster Competitions and a Geography Bowl. More information about the conference and registration can be found online at http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=798472. World Environment Day 2010 Adapted from the United Nations Environment Program website (www.unep.org) World Environment Day, commemorated each year since 1972 on June 5, is one of the main ways the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The World Environment Day slogan for 2010 is “Many Species. One Planet. One Future.” It “echoes the urgent call to conserve the diversity of life on our planet. A world without biodiversity is a very bleak prospect. Millions of people and millions of species all share the same planet, and only together can we enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.” For more information, please visit http://www.unep.org. Glossopedia – Online Research Library Online research libraries are very valuable tools for Internet users of all ages. However, much of the current Internet data is geared toward adults and very little has been appropriately written and illustrated for children. Glossopedia is an investigative learning resource – a digital encyclopedia of cultural and biological diversity. Designed for children 8 to 12 years old, it enables exploration of subjects and includes video animation, text, mapping, and audio to stimulate children’s thinking. All content has been aligned with education standards for earth science, biology, geography, cultural studies, and language and it is complementary to any curriculum. Glossopedia is free, safe, and child-specific. Visit http://globio.org to explore its many features. Geospatial Careers Information http://www.geospatialcareers.net This wonderful site is for students and others interested in learning about careers in geospatial technologies. It features career information and profiles of people who use geospatial technologies. Since people with skills in geospatial technologies are needed in a wide variety of fields, this site was developed to encourage and assist those interested in exploring career options. It is sponsored by the NH Space Grant Consortium in partnership with NH GRANIT and the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. They have done a wonderful job with this and it will be an excellent addition to career presentations, GIS-based workshops, and more. Test Your Geography Knowledge “Test Your Geography Knowledge” is a great website with online geography quizzes. They range from the broad and basic (identifying the continents and oceans) to the specific (identifying the provinces of China). Visit http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/index.html. Lending Libraries Available for Educators There are two lending libraries available to Connecticut educators. Both are free of charge but may, in some cases, require the borrower to pay for return shipping if the item is being mailed rather than returned in person. Yale University’s Programs in International Educational Resources (PIER) has a collection of international books, DVDs, VHS tapes, etc. For information, visit http://www.yale.edu/macmillan/pier/resourcecenter.htm and follow the appropriate links. To browse holdings online, please visit http://pier-lib.ycias.yale.edu/wx/s.exe. The University of Connecticut’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies has a lending library for educators as well, specializing in literature for students in elementary school. For more information about UConn’s lending library contact LatinAmerica@uconn.edu. Martian Real Estate: A Good Investment? National Geographic Xpeditions Activity http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons Overview -- This lesson has students in grades three through five compare the landscapes of Mars and Earth and explore why the two planets are so different. They will conclude by writing letters convincing fictitious family friends that it is probably not a good idea to invest in Martian real estate. Connections to the Curriculum -- Geography, earth and space science Connections to the National Geography Standards Standard 1: "How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective" Time -- Three hours Materials Required Computer with Internet access Writing materials Objectives -- Students will: name the planets of the solar system; look at pictures of Mars and describe the landscape features they see; look at satellite images of Earth and describe the things they see in these images that they did not see in images of Mars; research and take notes on the reasons that Mars and Earth have such different landscapes; discuss their research findings; and write letters convincing fictitious family friends that investing in real estate on Mars would not be a good idea. Geographic Skills Acquiring Geographic Information Organizing Geographic Information Analyzing Geographic Information S u g g e s t e d P r o c e d u r e Opening -- Have students look at a diagram of the solar system (http://science.nationalgeographic.com/ science/space/solar-system). Ask them to name as many planets as they can, and have them point out Earth and Mars. Make sure they understand that Earth is the third planet from the sun and Mars is the fourth. Development Have students look at pictures of Mars at the following Web sites. As they look at the pictures, ask them to describe the landscape features they see, such as mountains, boulders, and Martian dust. They should list these things on their own papers or contribute their ideas to a class list on the board. National Geographic: Return to Mars -- http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system/mars-article.html National Geographic MapMachine: Mars -- http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/map-machine#id=800&size=medium&left=-180&bottom=-90&right=180&top=90 The Nine Planets -- http://nineplanets.org/ Have students look at a few satellite images of Earth (http://earthshots.usgs.gov/tableofcontents) -- try the Nile River Delta in Egypt or Imperial Valley, California. Help them to understand what they see in these images; in particular, point out that red represents vegetation, water looks black, and concrete and buildings look light gray or white. Ask them to describe, either in writing or a class discussion, what features they notice on Earth that are missing from Mars (e.g., human-made objects and water). Ask students to conduct further research to find out why Mars and Earth have very different landscapes. Have them go to the following Web sites, plus any other Internet or print resources they can find, and look for clues as to why Mars is not as hospitable for life as Earth. Have them write down the clues they find. National Geographic: Virtual Solar System -- http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/ space/solar-system ThinkQuest: A Virtual Journey Into the Universe -- http://library.thinkquest.org/28327/ Closing -- Hold a class discussion comparing Mars to Earth. Discuss whether students think Mars would make a good planet to live on. What evidence do they have to support their opinions about this question? Suggested Student Assessment -- Ask students to pretend that a long-lost family friend has arrived at their doorstep with an unusual business proposition: he wants to sell the family some land on Mars. He claims that this would be a good idea just in case the family wants to move to another planet if space travel becomes more convenient and affordable. He says, "What's the difference? Earth and Mars are both good planets, and Mars has a lot more space to keep your stuff!" This would cost the students' parents a lot of money, and they are seriously considering the offer. Have students write a reply to this family friend, explaining why his proposition might not be such a good investment. Their letters should include specific examples from the research they have done. Extending the Lesson Have kids do the Red Album activity on the Xpeditions site (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/activities/01/redalbum.html). Be sure to explore the extras, interactive features, and links on the left side of the page. Have students research the other planets in the solar system to see if any of them might be hospitable for human inhabitation. Have them describe the reasons why each planet is or is not a good place for humans to colonize.