National Council for Geographic Education

Who Eats What Where? Using Primary Sources to Teach the Geography of Food
2024-10-19 10:00 - 10:45 (America/Phoenix) | Mission Palms Conference Room: Colonnade, 60 E 5th St., Tempe, Arizona, 85281
Overview
In this session, we will discuss how to incorporate the geography of food into the classroom using primary source materials. Food is an inherently geographic topic that is connected to both the natural environment and culture, making it a perfect vehicle for teaching both physical and human geography content. In this session, we will begin with an overview about teaching the geography of food, connecting it to geography and social studies standards as well as the practice of asking geographic questions and developing geographic skills. In the second part of the session, we will use the Library of Congress’ Primary Source Analysis Tool along with some freely available materials to study who eats what where. While the session is geared toward the secondary classroom, the content is easily adaptable to any grade level. Handouts will be available for participating teachers.
Session Focus
Secondary/High School | Food | primary sources | Inquiry
Conference Room
Colonnade
Meet the Presenter
Gillian Acheson is a professor in the Department of Geography & GIS at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She teaches a variety of courses including World Regions, Human Geography, Population Geography, Spatial Thinking & Behavior, Geography of Food, and Geography and Social Justice. Her research interests are in geography education and the cultural landscape with publications ranging from map reading and comprehension to representation of women in introductory geography textbooks to the cultural landscape of cemeteries. She is a past recipient of NCGE’s Higher Education Distinguished Teaching award.

Building Logical Reasoning Skills Thru Geographical Inquiry: Exploring Various Cities of Progress
2024-10-19 10:00 - 10:45 | Mission Palms Coference Room: Joshua Tree
Overview
Exploring the cities of Constantinople, Florence, Hastings, Kyoto, and Timbuktu, the presenters will take participants through a Classical Educational Geo-Inquiry journey to learn more about how the 5 themes of Geography impacted the formation of these cities whether it was in a moment of glory or a sustained period of time, each of these cities were directly formed by the land around them. Participants within the session will walk away with the ready to use discussion based application within the 6-12th classroom to build Logic reasoning skills and Rhetorical discussion. This session will focus on participants to discuss, analyze and argue the common themes of Geography that allowed these cities to become Centers of Progress.
Session Focus
Middle School/Junior High |Geo-Inquiry | Discussion | Engagement | Inquiry
Conference Room
Joshua Tree
Meet the Presenters
Kendra Miller & Ansley Tomlin

A.I. Chatbot Prompting in the Geography Classroom
2024-10-19 10:00 - 10:45 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Xavier
Overview
This session will focus on A.I. chatbots and the growing importance of prompt generating both in and out of the classroom. Much like a Google search, a chatbot’s result is only as good as its language prompt. We will talk about the importance of using specific and precise language that generates desired results. Through the consideration of Mishra and Koehler’s 2006 TPACK framework, we will learn about how to evaluate when the use of chatbots and prompt generating is best for your geography classroom. The presenter will discuss her observations on the ways that chatbots are being used in her school and the ways that prompt generating is being introduced in her geography and social science classrooms. Come ready with your questions, concerns, and current best practices to share. Bring a laptop and create a ChatGPT account prior to the meeting if you want to explore during the session.
Session Focus
Secondary/High School | Ai Chatbots | ChatGPT | Technology | Curriculum and Instruction
Conference Room
Xavier
Meet the Presenters
Samantha Serrano is a 21-year veteran teacher at James B. Conant High School, Hoffman Estates, Illinois where she has taught AP Human Geography since 2006. She currently serves as an NCGE director, is an AAG member, an AGS teacher fellow, and has completed the National Geographic teacher certification. Her favorite professional development includes the annual AP grading, the NCGE conference, and her teacher fellowships with Dr. Stoltman to South Korea presenting on the topics of virtual geographies and place names. Her geography education interests include the use of geospatial technologies, issues of equity and access, and virtual geographies. She is an alumnus of Illinois State University (Social Science Education), Northeastern Illinois University (M.A. Geography and Environmental Studies), and hopefully soon Texas State University (PhD Geography Education).

The Other South Korea in APHG
2024-10-19 09:00 - 09:45 | Mission Palms Conference Room: San Pedro, 60 E 5th St., Tempe, Arizona, 85281
Overview
South Korea in the U.S. curriculum is largely the Korean War and the Demilitarized Zone/Joint Security Area. In this session, the “other” view of South Korea is presented by APHG teachers who have participated in academic field study in the country. They will provide their field study-based observations within the context of APHG. Topics such as Korean traditions within urban society; cultural celebrations and places; marketing fish and flip-flops; population dynamics; and international issues and challenges. The captivation by K-Pop among U.S. youth via TV serials/streaming, music, games, manhwa, and food choices are discussed as a means to enhance Korean content contributions to the APHG course. The session will promote the importance of experiential learning and how it enhances content through virtual and place-based learning
Session Focus
APHG | Experiential | Field study | Application | World/International
Conference Room
San Pedro
Meet the Presenter
Amber Jeffords has been a Colorado girl since childhood, growing up in Colorado Springs and returning to nearby Fountain, Colorado as a social studies teacher at Fountain-Fort Carson High School. Amber just completed her 20th year teaching, all of them at FFCHS. In her 20 years, she has taught Global Studies, US History, Geo Geo of the National Parks, and has been a proud AP Human Geography teacher for the past 8 years. Amber created and co-sponsored an outdoor adventure program with her colleague (and BFF) Tinya, and has worked hard to ensure that students of all backgrounds and abilities have access to the great outdoors! She also loves travel and exploring the world around her to better bring it to life for her students.

Tinya Duffey teaches 9th grade Global Studies and AP Human Geography at Fountain-Fort Carson High School. She has taught for 19 years, and in nearly all those years she has been teaching Geography, by choice! She proposed AP Human Geography to her school 8 years ago and since, it has truly transformed her teaching. Additionally, Duffey co-sponsors an outdoor adventure program where her team take students on outdoor excursions for educational, career and team-building opportunities. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with her husband and two teenage kids. They are a vegan family, as she has spent the past 25 years organizing plant-based educational events in her community and advocating for animal welfare. Duffey is a long-time distance runner and lover of fitness. Duffey and her family spend their spare time remodeling their home, camping, river rafting and loving up on their rescued pets.

Tales from the Crypt: AZ Cemeteries and More
2024-10-19 09:00 - 09:45 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Covetto, 60 E 5th St., Arizona, 85281
Overview
Cemeteries are a unique cultural landscape. In this session, educators will see a showcase of AZ cemeteries and how they can teach local geography and history. Educators will then be introduced to a field study where students explore the symbols and demographics found in this unique environment. After gathering their information in the field study, students then present their findings in charts, graphs, and written communications. All materials needed for the field study are free and online. The concepts learned in this session can be applied to cemeteries in any location.
Session Focus
Middle School/Junior High | Field Study | Local Geography and History
Conference Room
Covetto
Meet the Presenter
In the past 30 years, Gale Olp Ekiss has continually showcased the application of K-12 geography
skills and content at local, state, and national social studies conferences. Gale is a past Co-
coordinator of the Arizona Geographic Alliance (AZGA). During her 18 years as Co-coordinator, she
was the Project Manager for three National Geographic Society Education Foundation grant projects:
GeoLiteracy, GeoMath, and GeoLiteracy for ELLs. Gale helped secure consistent funding for the
Arizona Geographic Alliance making this alliance one of the most visible supporters of geography
education in the nation. She taught for Mesa Public Schools (Mesa, Arizona) for 28 years before
moving to the university level.

Every Region has a Reason
2024-10-19 09:00 - 09:45 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Colonnade, 60 E 5th St., Tempe, Arizona, 85281
Overview
Every region has a reason. Large or small, political or physical, imagined or real, controversial or not, regions and the concept of a region are important for understanding our dynamic world. This engaging interactive session will provide plenty of handouts, discuss various examples of regions, and will involve critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Add to your students’ awareness of the world around them locally, nationally, and globally with your participation in this workshop!
Session Focus
All Grade Levels | Regions | Hands-on | Inquiry | Curriculum and Instruction
Conference Room
Colonnade
Meet the Presenter
Passionate about Geography and Geography education for many years, Gary Gress has been a K-12 teacher, Alliance Coordinator, and past president of NCGE. He teaches in the Department of Geography at the University of Oklahoma focusing on environmental concerns and issues. Gress’s interests involve studying various global regions, “place geography”, and how Climate Change is changing specific urban/rural landscapes.

Teaching Geopolitical Theories through Current Events
2024-10-19 09:00 - 09:45 | Mission Palms Coference Room: Joshua Tree
Overview
This session will open up the discussion of the relevance of framing classroom conversations of global events within a lens of geopolitics. Through examining geopolitical theories from a critical geopolitical lens it is possible to help put world events into more of a geographic perspective. By teaching students to break about arguments and critique the usage of geopolitical theories to justify actions, we can help students be critical consumers of knowledge and help them form their own opinions of current events. A case study of the historical foundations and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine will be discussed within the context of geopolitical theories before expanding into further discussions of the relevance of theories in understanding other world events. Information about classical and critical approaches to geopolitics will be presented along with teaching strategies for implementation.
Session Focus
Secondary/High School | Political Geography | Current Events | Geopolitics | World/International Focus
Conference Room
Joshua Tree
Meet the Presenters
Kyle Tredinnick is a high school teacher for Omaha Public Schools, and works with the University of Nebraska system and the Geographic Educators of Nebraska.

Embark on a GIS journey by Investigating YOUR Local Landscape
2024-10-19 09:00 - 09:45 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Dolores
Overview
What’s it like here? If you are curious about utilizing dynamic maps to activate student spatial thinking skills, join us to learn about one pathway to engage learners with their local landscape. Walk through an investigation created by a 7th grade teacher and a GeoMentor that utilizes the new MapMaker application to empower students to use critical spatial thinking skills while exploring their community. This activity is envisioned as step one on a scaffolded introduction to using GIS in a Geography classroom.
Session Focus
All Grade Levels | Spatial Thinking | Place | GIS | Technology
Conference Room
Dolores
Meet the Presenters
Shana Crosson is a Spatial Technologies Consultant at U-Spatial at the Twin Cities Campus of the University of Minnesota, focusing on integrating geospatial technologies and spatial thinking across the curriculum in higher education and in K-12.

Jess Winkelaar

The Silk Road and Geography: A Traveler’s Tale
2024-10-19 09:00 - 09:45 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Xavier
Overview
Come travel the Silk Road! But wait, how will you get past the Taklimakan (Go in and you will never come out) Desert? What will you trade? Will your children be grown up by the time you get home? Participants will investigate the ancient Silk Road through two lenses, the first, a decision-making activity to choose the “perfect route,” and the second, focusing on the purpose, and trade goods, of the Silk Road. Participants will leave the session with two, classroom ready activities, focusing on both the physical geography of the route, and trade along the Silk Road.
Session Focus
Middle School/Junior High | Geography | Trade | World History
Conference Room
Xavier
Presenter
Cynthia Bloom

Geographies of Genocide:Why Geography matters in conducting Genocidal Campaigns in the Modern Era
2024-10-19 08:00 - 08:45 | Mission Palms Conference Room: San Pedro, 60 E 5th St., Tempe, Arizona, 85281
Overview
Geography education goes a long way in understanding why, where, and how genocides occur. In my teaching, I stress the geopolitical circumstances behind the occurrence of genocides a d how the landscape adds to the uniqueness of each genocide. For this session, I (1) discuss why and when to teach about genocides and human rights in Geography classrooms; (2) demonstrate the teaching of genocides case study, regional, thematic, and other approaches; and (3) offer lesson ideas, resources, and readings.”
Session Focus
Higher Education | Genocide | Geography | Geopolitics
Conference Room
San Pedro
Meet the Presenters
Tracey H Norrell, PhD is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Geography and Sustainability Department at the University of Tennessee. She currently teaches courses in World Geography, Migration, Europe (including War and Society and Russia and its Neighbors) and two courses in Geography of Human Rights. This course over the years had to be split into two courses due to its popularity – the Americas and Africa and Europe and Asia. She is also the recipient of the 2022 National Council for Geographic Education Higher Ed Distinguished Teacher Award.

Encoding Geography: Integrating Computer Science into Geography Instruction
2024-10-19 08:00 - 08:45 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Covetto, 60 E 5th St., Arizona, 85281
Summary
In the Encoding Geography Researcher Practitioner Partnership, researchers and teachers work together to explore the benefits and opportunities related to the integration of computational thinking and computer science into geography instruction. The intersection of geography and computer science connects directly to important research topics and impactful careers in many fields. These fields are likely of high interest to students, even though they may associate the subject of geography with something other than their own futures. An updated approach to geography instruction can tap into student interests and aspirations and infuse energy into the learning of geographical concepts and the pursuit of geographic inquiry. This session shares lessons that teams created for a 9th grade course. These lessons can be adapted for use in middle or high school classes and serve as models for further lesson development and revision.
Session Focus
Secondary/High School | Computation | Analysis | Inquiry
Conference Room
Covetto
Meet the Presenters
Kelly León is an Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay and a former geography teacher and curriculum specialist for the Sweetwater Union HS District in San Diego County. Kelly’s research interests include K12 geography education, teachers’ curriculum-making, and K12 ethnic studies.

Thomas Herman is a Research Fellow in the Department of Geography at San Diego State University where he is the Project Director for the Young People’s Environments, Society, and Space Research Center. He also contributes to teacher professional learning, the development of teaching and learning resources, and advocacy for geography education as Director of the California Geographic Alliance, a member of the California Environmental Literacy Initiative, and Chair of the NCSS Geography Community.

Atsushi Nara is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and the Associate Director of the Center for Human Dynamics in the Mobile Age at San Diego State University. He holds a PhD in geography from Arizona State University. His research interests include spatial data science, spatiotemporal data analysis and modeling, human dynamics and movement behaviors, complex adaptive systems, and geocomputation education.

Jessica Embury is a doctoral student in the Departments of Geography at San Diego State University and the University of California Santa Barbara, and a researcher at the Center for Human Dynamics in the Mobile Age. Embury’s research focuses on spatial modeling, spatiotemporal data analysis, and the integration of big geospatial data into geographic applications. Embury has experience conducting geographic research and producing spatial models related to social equity issues such as food access, pollution burden, and disease vulnerability.

Coline Dony is Senior Grants and Project Manager at the American Association of Geographers. She manages sponsored partnerships that support AAG’s mission. To support the sustainability and broadening of the geography discipline, Coline’s research focused on creating educational pathways between middle school and college to be exposed to a geography curriculum that is better aligned with the work of geographers today, and that incorporates more recent concepts such as geocomputational thinking.

Teaching Resources about Key Processes Shaping Today’s World
2024-10-19 08:00 - 08:45 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Colonnade, 60 E 5th St., Tempe, Arizona, 85281
Summary
This presentation shows web-based teaching/learning resources that explain key processes of change in today’s world such as climate change. globalization, economic failures, urbanization, and the like. These short modules are academically informed but tailored to a non-academic audience. They are found at <https://davidrutherford.org/resources>
Session Focus
All Grade Levels | Teaching/Learning | Today’s World-Changing
Conference Room
Colonnade
Presenter
David Rutherford is Associate Professor in the multi-disciplinary Department of Public Policy Leadership at the University of Mississippi. His undergraduate and Masters degrees are in geography, and he earned his Ph.D. in geography/geographic education from Texas State University. His broad background in research and teaching in geography covers physical, human, regional, techniques, and educational components of the discipline. The focus of his teaching and research is on major dynamics in the contemporary world. For more information visit David’s website at https://davidrutherford.org/
Contact: druther@olemiss.edu

Geospatial Technologies as a teaching tool - Challenges and Opportunities
2024-10-19 08:00 - 08:45 | Mission Palms Coference Room: Joshua Tree
Summary
Interactive digital mapping platforms (NG Mapmaker, ArcGIS Online, Google Earth), and satellite imagery are powerful instructional tools that encourage inquiry-based learning. The Delaware Center for Geographic Education (DCGE), in partnership with the Delaware Department of Education and Social Studies Coalition of Delaware, has been inserting all forms of geospatial technologies into newly-developed, literature based and standards aligned social studies instructional materials. The primary goal of the geospatial technology-infused instructional materials is to make learning interactive and engaging and provide opportunities for student-centered inquiry. Secondary goals include: i) developing student knowledge of the power and potential of geospatial technologies, and ii) piquing student interest in potential college and career paths focused on the geosciences. Challenges to the adoption of these new instructional resources include developing teacher skills in the technology and supporting (particularly elementary) teachers in the adoption of inquiry based learning. DCGE’s partnership with DelawareView and the Delaware GeoEducation Committee has supported the development of a range of extra-curricular activities to support enhancing student and teacher learning through geospatial technologies. This presentation will share strategies for inserting geospatial technologies into news and existing elementary-level instruction and provide examples of how to increase student and education adoption of the technologies.
Session Focus
Early Childhood/Elementary | Geospatial Technologies
Conference Room
Joshua Tree
About the Presenter
Mary Schorse is an environmental geographer whose primary expertise is in human-environment interactions, natural resource management, payment for ecosystem services (PES), and sustainability. She has extensive experience in multi-disciplinary stakeholder engagement in designing, implementing and assessing projects and initiatives. As a human geography, Dr. Schorse also dedicates her time to geography education and ensuring that K-12 educators are equipped and prepared to teach important geographic concepts as part of the K-12 social studies curriculum, and developing outreach programs for students and families to engage with geography and geospatial tools directly. Her work in geography education focuses heavily on identifying creative strategies for utilizing geospatial technologies such as GIS and satellite imagery as an instructional resource. in the K-12 classroom. Dr. Schorse has also engaged in utilizing GIS and spatial analysis in the examination of educational equity challenges in the state of Delaware.

Beyond the Description of Place: Building Geographic Vocabulary and Schema in the Classroom
2024-10-19 08:00 - 08:45 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Dolores
Summary
Beyond the Description of Place: Building Geographic Vocabulary and Schema in the Classroom. This hands-on, 45-minute session will provide multiple activities to help teachers encourage students to engage with academic texts as well as fiction and creative nonfiction as a means of refining geographic concepts and skills. Examples will be targeted to middle and high school classrooms, but could be adapted to any level, as a means of supporting ELA standards and skills.
Session Focus
Secondary/High School | Schema, Language Development | Place-based
Conference Room
Delores
Meet the Presenters

Ellen J. Foster is a professor of teacher education, secondary program coordinator, and executive director of the Mississippi Geographic Alliance at the University of Mississippi; a past president of NCGE; and GeoCamp Iceland four-time leader and 2023 alumni trip organizer. Dr. Foster taught geography for nine years in the greater San Antonio area before transitioning to higher education.

Rosemary Oliphant-Ingham is a professor of teacher education with expertise in English education and young adult literature at the University of Mississippi. She has more than 30 years experience in K-12 and post-secondary education.

GeoCivics Education During An Election Year: Lessons for Teachers by Teachers
2024-10-19 08:00 - 08:45 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Xavier
Summary
GeoCivics engaged teachers from across the United States in a place-based professional development in Washington DC. The K-12 teachers discussed with National Parks Rangers current changes happening within the parks to “tell the true history” of the parks, engaged with Black American historians about the history of Washington DC and it’s direct connection to their histories, and collaborated with local geographers to ensure the 2024 Election Year would be an opportunity to engage “many stories” of Americans from every walk of life through a geographic lens. Teachers then created meaningful geographic-focused lessons and civic action projects to ensure every student, including linguistically diverse students and students from varied backgrounds, see themselves as part of the American story. Lessons will be explored and collaborative discussions will be facilitated to ensure teachers find connections and support for their own classrooms.
Session Focus
Early Childhood/Elementary | Geography | Civics | Elections
Conference Room
Xavier
Meet the Presenters
Karen Guerrero is an educator with 20 years of K-12 classroom experience, 16 years of teaching
future educators at local colleges and universities, and 20 years of conducting teacher
professional development. She has worked with a variety of students from inner-city children to
urban adults. Her research focus is teaching integrated geography content across all curricular
areas to diverse learners. She is a National Geographic explorer with research on STEMSS
(STEM + Social Studies with an emphasis of geography across the STEMSS fields) teaching and
learning and continually looks for opportunities to collaborate globally.

Poster Session: Tales & Travels: First Chapter Friday
2024-10-19 | Mission Palms Ballroom Prefunction
Overview
One of my many passions in life is reading so I wanted to incorporate books into my curriculum; First Chapter Friday was born through this vision. FCF is when I read the first chapter of a new book that has a setting in the region we are currently studying in World Geography class. I’m growing my classroom library and introducing books and reading to my students weekly. Not only am I reading more, but my students are reading more too, while we study the world. When I started this, my goal was to foster their interest in reading and further the goal of inclusivity in my classroom. By using these First Chapter Friday encompasses middle grade fiction and nonfiction, as well as children’s literature, into the seventh grade World Geography course. The year-long course includes a study of six major world regions, along with skill building for research, writing, and project-based learning. Each week has a different read, and the books are preassigned.
Conference Room:
Palm Ballroom Pre-function Area
Meet the Presenter
Kelly Zander Patterson, is in her tenth year of teaching at Charlotte Country Day School, however she has been teaching for a total of thirteen years. She was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. She is a graduate of the College of Charleston, where she received her History and Secondary Education degrees. She is a wife, mother, and sister, who enjoys spending time with family. She loves to read, bake, and she also has a passion for entertaining, whether it’s organizing a small impromptu get-together, or hosting a large social gathering. She enjoy the details of personalized stationery, beautiful gift wrap, and a handwritten note. She is currently teaching and advising seventh grade students, while also serving as the chair of the Social Studies Department at the Middle School.

Poster Session: Unveiling Geographical Dynamics of California Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins: A Multifaceted Exploration
2024-10-19 | Mission Palms Ballroom Prefunction
Overview
Marine biological research provides a rich source of opportunities for the development of geographical and related STEM education activities for pre-K to adult learners. In this poster, the geographic perspective is focused upon research about the California coastal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), a common cetacean species in very nearshore Pacific waters off northern Baja, California, Mexico, and the Western US coast. Research on “the coasties” conducted across nearly 45 years provides an abundance of field data and experiences, as well as numerous academic and peer-reviewed documents, reports, images, and summaries; and, most importantly, there is a rich source of geographical narrative available in this work that can provoke curiosity and interest in a wide range of audiences. Here, we summarize and highlight interesting aspects of the coasties’ geographical narrative, and its meaning and inspiration for further important research, conservation, and geographic educational activities.
Conference Room:
Palm Ballroom Pre-function Area
Meet the Presenter
Alex G. Kesaris, B.S., M.A., GISP, is a volunteer educator who loves presenting geographic knowledge through narratives about the research with which he is most familiar. He has conducted field research from shore, small boats, ships, and aircraft with scientists from SDSU, UCSD SIO, NOAA, and CDFW. Along the way, he developed and delivered educational activities, posters, presentations, technical memoranda, and peer-reviewed publications for diverse audiences. For the past 12 years, Alex has
provided GIS services with Sustenant, CDFW, GISinc, Axim Geospatial, and NV5 Geospatial.

Poster Session: ESD program considering regional vitalization through tourism resources
2024-10-19 | Mission Palms Ballroom Prefunction
Overview
This poster session compares and contrasts the factors of the six themes of the AP World History curriculum with an emphasis on geography, climate, culture, economy, and the indigenous populations of the people of Peru, specifically the Loreto region, to students in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Conference Room:
Palm Ballroom Pre-function Area
Presenter
Nagata Shigefumi teaches social-studies pedagogy at the University. He is interested in the geography lesson plan as ESD. In his spare time, he enjoys visiting world heritage sites in the world.

Poster Session: Bridging Cultures: The Amazon
2024-10-19 | Mission Palms Ballroom Prefunction
Overview
This poster session compares and contrasts the factors of the six themes of the AP World History curriculum with an emphasis on geography, climate, culture, economy, and the indigenous populations of the people of Peru, specifically the Loreto region, to students in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Conference Room:
Palm Ballroom Pre-function Area
Meet the Presenter

Victoria Vicente is currently a 10th Grade AP World History teacher at Rio Grande High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A teacher for 12 years, she is a Level III, Secondary Social Studies and Special Education K-12 certified teacher in New Mexico with a TESOL Endorsement. A 2024 NCGE GeoCamp Amazon participant, 2024 Fund for Teachers Fellow, 2024 Albert H. Small Normandy Institute Fellow, 2022 Fulbright Hays Curriculum Teacher Leader in Jordan, and a 2016 Fulbright Hays Teacher Fellow in Oman and Zanzibar.

Poster Session: The Forgotten Art: Why Retrieval Practice of Geographical Facts is Essential to Lowering Cognitive
2024-10-19 | Mission Palms Ballroom Prefunction
Overview
The study of Geography is a key component to understanding the World, developing Global Citizenship along with Cultural Awareness and promoting Critical Thinking Skills; however, Educators across America have often forgotten the foundation for this level of understanding begins at the bottom of Bloom’s Taxonomy: Recall of facts and basic concepts (Mcdaniel, R.,1970). For a period of time, many have tried to suggest that memorization is no longer necessary with the rise of the internet (Heffernen, 2017) but research has shown this is a baseless claim (Agarwal, P. K., & Bain, P. M. 2019) and (Deshler, D., Schumaker, J., Bulgren, J., Lenz, K., Jantzen, J., Adams, G., Carnine, D., Grossen, B., Davis, B., & Marquis, J., 2001). Furthermore as the Researcher will present this belief is harmful to students due to the rising Cognitive Load experienced by students in learning environments. The Researcher conducted a year-long study with her Social Studies middle school students and the Science department at Indepentant* School to show how the memorization of facts via retrieval practice is not only a viable solution to lowering Cognitive Load in the classroom, it is essential for educators to use these practices to strengthen their students’ schema, transfer knowledge and build cognitive flexibility in the Social Studies classroom, allowing students to have greater understanding of the World, become Global Citizens, build Cultural Awareness as well as Critical Thinking skills.
Conference Room:
Palm Ballroom Pre-function Area
Presenter
Kendra Miller

Poster Session: Teachers Collaborating Across Borders: Connecting Teachers and Students
2024-10-19 | Mission Palms Ballroom Prefunction
Overview
Since 2020, the Teachers Collaborating Across Borders (TCAB) program has connected 20 K-12 teachers and their students in the US with 20 counterparts across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) each year for joint virtual exchange projects. Participants can teach any subject or grade, and are chosen from a range of schools and communities: urban, suburban, and rural, diverse and culturally monolithic, from Title 1 schools to fancy New York private schools. MENA teachers are chosen from as many countries as possible, and from diverse communities within each country when possible. During the fall semester, teachers from the US and across the Middle East and North Africa create group presentations together to learn about each others’ school cultures and educational systems. In the second semester, the teachers put themselves into groups and plan international projects for their students to do together virtually, with age-appropriate activities and connections. At the end of the year, the whole group comes together again to share their projects. TCAB is led by outreach professionals from the University of Arizona’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies and the North Carolina Consortium for Middle East Studies. The application period takes place annually in the spring.
Conference Room:
Palm Ballroom Pre-function Area
Presenter
Abigail Limmer

NCGE Past Presidents’ Roundtable
2024-10-18 16:15 - 17:15 | Mission Palms Conference Room: San Pedro, 60 E 5th St., Tempe, Arizona, 85281
Overview
NCGE’s Past Presidents are vital sources of institutional knowledge. Contributors to this roundtable will address the following questions: (1) What recommendations do Past Presidents have for future NCGE leaders, (2) What meaningful lessons can be gleaned from geography education’s history, and (3) What ‘big questions’ remain for geography education?
Session Focus
Future of Geography Education | History of Geography Education | Leadership
Room
San Pedro
Meet the Facilitators
Greg Hill teaches high school AP Human Geography, World Regional Geography, and African-American Studies in Mesquite, Texas. Mr. Hill began his social studies teaching career as a World History teacher in Dallas Public Schools. He is the 2016 recipient of the Distinguished Educator Award: K–12 from the National Council for Geographic Education. He is also the 2020 recipient of the International Educator of the Year Award from the World Affairs Council of Dallas-Ft. Worth. At Horn High, Greg sponsors the Global Young Leaders and coaches the Current Events Team. In addition to serving NCGE as the 2023 President, he has also supported the organization as a member of the Board of Directors.

Thomas Larsen is 2024 President of the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE). He serves as Co-Coordinator of the Geographic Alliance of Iowa (GAI) and teaches geography at the University of Northern Iowa.

A Taste of "Salsa"
2024-10-18 15:15 - 17:15 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Dolores
Summary
Come join us in creating and tasting a local favorite, of the Southwestern United States, Salsa. Participants will experience how to take a topic like “Salsa” and cook up a day of fun in the classroom that addresses all academic content areas; Social Studies (geography and history), Reading, Writing, Math, and Science. Participants will get hands-on practice with cooking, creating, and tasting Salsa.
Session Focus
Higher Education | AAPI history | Ethnic Studies | Inclusion
Room
Dolores
Presenter
Erica Hamel

Crafting Effective AP Human Geography Lessons: Strategies, Skills Development, and Free Response Mastery
2024-10-18 15:15 - 16:00 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Covetto, 60 E 5th St., Arizona, 85281
Summary
This session will demonstrate how to develop lessons that align with the course and exam description, emphasizing the big ideas central to the curriculum. Participants will learn how to effectively utilize provided instructional strategies, prioritizing the planning of skills-driven lessons and activities. The session will focus on showing how to introduce and reinforce skills, particularly skill category three, through engaging activities. Additionally, educators will learn how to gauge their students’ mastery of these skills. The other portion of the session will provide valuable insights into free response training, highlighting how to master task verbs essential for exam success. Through this comprehensive approach, educators will be equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to enhance their teaching and improve student outcomes in AP Human Geography
Session Focus
APHG | Exam Prep | Assessment
Room
Covetto
Meet the Presenters
Jamie Worms is the Director of the AP Human Geography course and exam at the College Board. Prior to working at the College Board, she taught Human Geography at Auburn University, Smith College, and Georgia State University since graduating with her Ph.D. in Geography & Anthropology from Louisiana State University in 2015. Worms loves everything that has to do with geography, maps, good food, and travel.

Using Human Rights Education to Teach about the Israel-Hamas War
2024-10-18 15:15 - 16:00 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Colonnade, 60 E 5th St., Tempe, Arizona, 85281
Summary
Explore how human rights education (HRE) can help teachers frame sensitive/controversial topics, including the Israel-Hamas war. This interactive session will begin with a discussion of human rights issues commonly addressed in geography and/or social studies classrooms. Following this think-pair-share activity, I will provide participants with a brief history of human rights concepts and outline a HRE framework. This portion of the session will include an introduction to key concepts in contemporary human rights discourse, with a focus on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the Convention of the Rights of the Child (1990). Next, I will guide participants through the process of using the previously outlined HRE framework to examine the Israel-Hamas war. The activity will include small group analyses of pivotal and contested events since this conflict began on October 7, 2023. Lastly, each group will share their evaluation of assigned events, and all participants will have a chance to engage in a discussion of these conclusions.
Session Focus
Secondary/High School |World/International | Human Rights | Global Citizenship | Israel-Hamas War
Room
Colonnade
Meet the Presenters
Sean Corrigan currently serves as Assistant Professor of Multicultural Education at Southern Oregon University. Prior to his time in higher education, he taught social studies for 14 years in Compton, CA, Las Vegas, NV, and Vanuatu. He has worked extensively with culturally and linguistically diverse K-12 learners in several countries, in both urban and rural settings. Dr. Corrigan’s current research focuses on human rights education and global citizenship. He is especially interested in empowering teachers to center social justice and diverse perspectives in their practice, particularly when they may face opposition to doing so.

NCGE Abroad: GeoCamp Iceland, Field Guide Resources, and Prospects for Expanding Field Trips
2024-10-18 14:15 - 15:00 | Mission Palms Coference Room: Joshua Tree
Overview
One of the services NCGE provides is facilitating trips at home and abroad for geography educators. This session will cover three things: (1) the types of materials teachers produce from previous excursions, notably GeoCamp Iceland, (2) practical resources for aspiring field guides, and (3) strategies for expanding field trip options beyond existing locations.
Session Focus
Field-Based Learning | Professional Development | International Trips
Room
Joshua Tree
Meet the Presenters
Mayra Román-Rivera, Tracy Edwards, Nicole Means, Gina Bloodworth, and Thomas Larsen
Thomas Larsen is 2024 President of the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE). He serves as Co-Coordinator of the Geographic Alliance of Iowa (GAI) and teaches geography at the University of Northern Iowa.

Tracy Edwards is a Lecturer in the Department of Geography at Frostburg State University and an adjunct instructor at Allegany College of Maryland, both in western Maryland. She teaches Human Geography, Physical Geography and Sustainability Studies courses, often working with Community Partners to integrate aspects of experiential and project-based learning into her teaching. She is anxious to share some of the lesson plan and activity ideas emerging from the 2024 GeoCamp Iceland adventure.

Mayra Román-Rivera is a coastal geomorphologist specializing in post-storm recovery and remote sensing and GIS applications of coastal environments. Her research focuses on understanding changes that occur in the coast over time (i.e. erosion, accretion, sea-level rise), how they change the landscapes, how they affect communities and people, and how, if possible, can those changes be mitigated. Mayra also participates in community outreach and citizen science programs. She believes it is our responsibility as scientists to take what we have learned through research to the communities and help them become more resilient and better prepared to face changes happening in their communities. As part of that interest, Mayra incorporates community-engaged learning in the courses she teach.

Rethinking Food Security from the Americas to North Africa
2024-10-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Covetto, 60 E 5th St., Arizona, 85281
Summary
This workshop will feature two scholars Dr. Jessica Barnes from the University of South Carolina and Dr. Megan Carney from the University of Arizona, in conversation on their research at the intersections of critical food security, migration/refugee studies, and precarity. The workshop will explore how marginalized groups experience food insecurity and how it manifests across borders by engaging comparatively across the regions of the Americas and the Middle East. Both scholars will bring first person stories from their ethnographic research illustrating how hunger and the procurement and preparation of food intersects with gender, class and migrant status. The first person stories will draw from Dr. Barnes’s ethnographic research into how plant breeding, wheat farming, grain storage, and bread baking intersect with working class Egyptians’ consumption of subsidized bread, and Dr. Carney’s participatory film and storytelling lab that explores themes of hunger, displacement, and social solidarity with migrant youth from the Southwestern US. The discussion will explore complex and sometimes contested concepts that may feature in current events discussions in the classroom like: ‘food security,’ staple foods, refugees and migration, border regimes, gender, social class, poverty, xenophobia, national security, racialization, sanctuary cities, etc.
Session Focus
Secondary/High School |World/International | Critical Food Studies
Room
Covetto
Meet the Presenters

Dr. Jessica Barnes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and School of Earth, Ocean, and Environment at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Barnes’ research examines the everyday practices of resource use and differential experiences of environmental change. She studies how societies interact with their environments and the political dynamics, social relations, materials, and technologies that both shape and are shaped by these interactions.
Her most recent book, Staple Security: Brand and Wheat in Egypt (2022, Duke University Press) examines the role these staples play in Egyptian daily life and the sense of existential threat tied to the possibility of bread not being available or tasting inadequate. Linking global flows of grain and national bread subsidy program with everyday household practices, Barnes theorizes the nexus between food and security, drawing attention to staples and the lengths people go to secure them.
Dr. Barnes is currently developing a new project on air pollution in London, which examines how air pollution is woven into the fabric of daily lives in racialized and class-inflected ways. Based in a diverse, low-income London neighborhood with high levels of air pollution, the project explores how people move through, walk alongside, and live close to the traffic that is the main source of emissions, breathing air that carries unseen dangers. Focusing on three scaled domains of the home, street, and city, the project looks at the nexus of people, air, and pollutants and the systemic inequalities that influence how these things come together. Dr. Barnes received her PhD in sustainable development from Columbia University.

Dr. Megan Carney is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Regional Food Studies at the University of Arizona. Her primary research and teaching interests include critical migration and diaspora studies, critical food studies, health equity and social inequality, the food-climate-migration nexus, the politics of care and social solidarity, and feminist methodology and pedagogy.
She is the author of two critically-acclaimed books, The Unending Hunger: Tracing Women and Food Insecurity Across Borders (2015, University of California Press) examines how constraints on eating and feeding translate to uneven distribution of life chances across borders, how neoliberal economic policies render hunger and displacement, and how the framework of “food security” dominates national policy in the United States. Her second book Island of Hope: Migration and Solidarity in the Mediterranean (2021, University of California Press), is an ethnography of the politics of economic austerity and migrant reception in Southern Europe, specifically Sicily, and the emergent forms of “solidarity work” being performed on the frontlines of migrant receiving communities. She continues to work with grassroots migrant solidarity initiatives, including a participatory film and storytelling lab for migrant youth.
Presently, she is engaged in ongoing, collaborative research with several community organizations in Tucson focused on racial justice and health equity. She is also the co-founder and co-director of “The Future of Food and Social Justice: A Youth Storytelling Project,” which provides internships and diverse opportunities for mentorship, storytelling, and community engagement. Dr. Carney received her PhD and MA in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and her BA in Anthropology and Italian from UCLA.

Theresa Hale

Geography in the Global System of Agriculture
2024-10-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Colonnade, 60 E 5th St., Tempe, Arizona, 85281
Summary
Participants will connect the importance of geography to the agricultural production of the food, clothing, and shelter that we depend on in our daily lives. These connections will focus on the three Big Ideas of the AP Human Geography course: Patterns and Spatial Organization, Impacts and Interactions, and Spatial Process and Societal Change. Through exploration of classroom-tested lessons and hands-on activities, teachers will learn strategies for active engagement in helping students understand how geography and agriculture impact their quality of life. The impacts of the geography/agriculture connection will be identified using the SPEED model—social, political, economic, environmental, demographic. Additionally, attendees will explore strategies for enhancing student discussion and assisting students in conducting risk assessments for socioscientific issues including bioengineered foods, organic vs. conventional farming, food sustainability, and livestock production processes. Presenters will share free online lessons tied to National Geography Standards, Common Core, and National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes. Attendee takeaways include digitally accessible resources and a resource bag of classroom materials.
Session Focus
APHG |Agriculture | Population
Room
Colonnade
Meet the Presenters
Cassie Bates has been teaching AP Human Geography since the fall of 2014, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to the classroom. With a strong commitment to hands-on learning, Ms. Bates strives to engage students in meaningful and interactive ways. Her dedication to geographic education is further highlighted by her achievements as a USIP Fellow and an AGS Teacher Fellow.

Andrea Gardner is an Education Specialist for the National Center for Agricultural Literacy. Prior to this position she was a high school agricultural science teacher. Throughout her career, Andrea has actively participated in professional development, mentoring, and the development of curriculum. Her lesson plans have been adopted and published as state-wide curriculum in two Utah courses as well as numerous lesson plans posted on the National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix.

Partnering on education research with teachers and with funding to measure aspirations of students
2024-10-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Xavier
Summary
In this workshop, we will share a framework to partner with teachers on education research, new avenues to embed geography across the school curriculum, the importance of measuring aspirations of students of all backgrounds to pursue a geography or related career path, and funding possibilities to support education research partnerships. We will then transition into a broader discussion, in which attendees will be encouraged to share their own experiences and raise questions for group consideration. The hands-on portion of the session will guide attendees in developing their ideas within this framework, connect their ideas with other attendees, receive input on key considerations for a strong partnership.
Session Focus
Higher Education | Research | Funding | DEI
Conference Room
Xavier
Meet the Presenters
Coline Dony is Senior Grants and Project Manager at the American Association of Geographers. She manages sponsored partnerships that support AAG’s mission. To support the sustainability and broadening of the geography discipline, Coline’s research focused on creating educational pathways between middle school and college to be exposed to a geography curriculum that is better aligned with the work of geographers today, and that incorporates more recent concepts such as geocomputational thinking.

Atsushi Nara is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and the Associate Director of the Center for Human Dynamics in the Mobile Age at San Diego State University.
He holds a PhD in geography from Arizona State University. His research interests include spatial data science, spatiotemporal data analysis and modeling, human dynamics and movement behaviors, complex adaptive systems, and geocomputation education

Kelly León is an Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay
and a former geography teacher and curriculum specialist for the Sweetwater Union HS District in San Diego County. Kelly’s research interests include K12 geography education, teachers’ curriculum-making, and k12 ethnic studies.

Jessica Embury is a doctoral student in the Department of Geography at San Diego State University and the University of California Santa Barbara, and a researcher at the Center for Human Dynamics in the Mobile Age. Embury’s research focuses on spatial modeling, spatiotemporal data analysis, and the integration of big geospatial data into geographic applications. Embury has experience conducting geographic research and producing spatial models related to social equity issues such as food access, pollution burden, and disease vulnerability.

Thomas Herman is a Research Fellow in the Department of Geography at San Diego State University where he is the Project Director for the Young People’s Environments, Society, and Space Research Center. He also contributes to teacher professional learning, the development of teaching and learning resources, and advocacy for geography education as Director of the California Geographic Alliance, a member of the California Environmental Literacy Initiative, and Chair of the NCSS Geography Community.

Matthew Velasco is a master’s student in the Department of Geography at San Diego State University and was a former research intern for the Encoding Geography project at San Diego Mesa College. His research interests are GIS, geocomputation, agent-based modeling, and sustainability.

Gathering, Mapping, and communicating results of field investigations
2024-10-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Mission Palms Conference Room: Dolores
Summary
How can you effectively and easily gather, map, analyze, and communicate the results of the data you have gathered in the field? ArcGIS Survey123, the ArcGIS Online map viewer, dashboards, and story maps and other configurable web mapping applications can be powerfully but easily created and used even by those who are not GIS experts. Join Joseph Kerski for an engaging workshop where we delve into not only how to use these tools but how to connect and share them.
Session Focus
SecondaryHigh School | fieldwork | GIS | mapping
Room
Dolores
Meet the Presenter
Joseph Kerski is a geographer with a focus on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in education. He has served as the President of the NCGE and has given 2 TED Talks on “The Whys of Where”. He holds 3 degrees in geography (BA, MA, PhD) and has served as geographer in 4 major sectors of society, including government (NOAA, US Census Bureau, USGS), academia (University of Minnesota, Harrisburg Area Community College, Penn State University, Sinte Gleska University, University of Denver, others), private industry (as Education Manager for Esri), and nonprofit organizations (with roles in geography and education associations). Joseph has authored over 100 chapters and articles, and 200 podcasts on GIS, education, space, place, and related topics. He has visited over 350 schools and 400 universities around the world. He regularly conducts professional development for educators. He has created over 6,200 videos, 1,000 lessons, 1,000 blog essays, and authored 12 books, including Interpreting Our World, Spatial Thinking in Environmental Contexts, Essentials of the Environment, Spatial Mathematics, Tribal GIS, International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning, the GIS Guide to Public Domain Data, and others. But as a lifelong learner, he feels as though he’s just getting started and thus actively seeks mentors, partners, and collaborators.
