UAF students, Christine Butcher (left) and Colbi Hill, practice a freshwater activity, which they will take to Fairbanks schools this week.Geography Awareness Week is an annual celebration enacted by Congress in 1987 that invites families and schools to engage in fun, educational experiences that draw attention to geo-literacy and the importance of geography education.
“Freshwater is one of the most critical issues of the 21st century,” said Terry Garcia, National Geographic’s executive vice president of Mission Programs. “National Geographic is committed to increasing awareness about this vital natural resource through our Freshwater Initiative. Our Geography Awareness Week website gives students and teachers the necessary tools to understand the complexity of the global freshwater crisis and its extraordinary role in shaping the geography of our world.”
In Alaska. Gov. Sean Parnell has issued a proclamation declaring Geography Awareness Week an important event for the state. In various locations around Alaska, volunteers are visiting classrooms to present freshwater-themed educational activities.
On Nov. 20 in Fairbanks, GeoFest will be held for the first time. This free, family fun day features hands-on freshwater educational activities for all who attend. GeoFest will be held at Effie Kokrine Charter School from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. For information, contact Nancy Tarnai, SNRAS public information officer.
To top off the excitement, UA Geography Program Education and Outreach Coordinator Katie Kennedy has the National Geographic Giant Map of South America in Fairbanks schools all this week. It will also be on hand at GeoFest. Kennedy took the map to schools in Barrow and Nome last week and will be taking it to locations across the state, from Delta Junction to Seward to Sitka to Ketchikan throughout the coming month.
The Giant Map of South America provides fun educational opportunities. (Photo by Dan Beaupre, National Geographic)The Geography Awareness Week website offers access to activities, lessons, and games about freshwater. The site features contributions from National Geographic and partner organizations such as ESRI, 4-H, Newspapers in Education, Zinio, and GeoEye. Visitors can use a water footprint calculator to determine how much water their family uses — from watering the lawn to the “hidden” water in household items like blue jeans — and find ways their family can conserve.
Teachers can access a wealth of lesson plans about freshwater, including featured activities for use with new National Geographic Mapmaker Kits. Educators and parents alike will find valuable lists of recommended books and films, as well as crossword puzzles and other family-friendly games.
The National Geographic Society, one of the sponsors of Geography Awareness Week, is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 375 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,400 scientific research, conservation, and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy.
UA Geography is a program of UAF's School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences.
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