Education | ND Geographic

Education with the
North Dakota Geographic Alliance

Teaching Geography is Fundamental in North Dakota

Geography knowledge and geospatial skills are vital for North Dakota’s K-12 students. Emergency response and recovery from flooding, rising energy costs, and the management of natural resources are just a few of the issues facing the state that require high school graduates to have a solid foundation in geography. In addition, the defense and security industries in North Dakota are currently looking for employees with geospatial technology skills.

The NDGA Board of Directors represents a broad interest in geography education in North Dakota. Along with educators and administrators,members include representatives from the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway, Valley City State University’s Prairie Waters Education & Research Center, Corporate Adventures, Flood Protection Task Force, as well as a well known Author, Graduate Director of the Department of Geography at University of North Dakota, Assistant Professor of GIS and GIS Program Coordinator at Bismarck State College and Geography Professor at Minot State University.

Giant Map of North Dakota

One of the main goals of the North Dakota Geographic Alliance is to encourage interest in geography throughout North Dakota. With this in mind, the NDGA has a Giant Map of North Dakota available for use in your classroom. This map is 20 by 25. It is best used with 3-4th grade geograhy classes. If you are interested check out the Facebook page North Dakota Giant Map. or call Jeffrey Beck at 701-240-9231

The NDGA & Public Engagement

Supporting geo-literacy for all North Dakotans

The Alliance disseminated materials, information about upcoming events, and news and current trends in geography education via a listserv and the Alliance’s Facebook page to more than 350 educators and other individuals interested in geography education.

The Giant Map of North America was hosted at Minot State University for college students, pre-service teachers, professors and the local
community. The map also traveled to Minot and area schools that involved approximately 80 educators.

NDGA honored a Friend of Geography and Geography Teacher of the Year. The awards are given for outstanding participation and support of geography education.

NDGA had a booth at the State Library for Summer Reading Kick-off.

The NDGA & Teacher Professional Development

Building skills for the modern geography classroom

NDGA hosts an Alliance Summer Geography Institute that provides teachers with classroom resources and field experiences in ‘doing’ geography. They attend lectures given by state and local experts on regional and statewide issues as well as present and future plans related to urban growth, energy, the environment and water resources. Institutes regionally rotate and have been held in Bismarck, Fargo, Langdon, and Williston.

The Ag Tour is an annual Minot-based event that tours the Souris River Basin to observe production, processing and marketing in the agricultural industry. By integrating physical geography concepts with human needs, the scope and impact of geography is made more apparent. Teachers are given an experience they can transfer to the classroom setting in a variety of ways.

NDGA hosts a four-day adventure entitled GeoFIT (Forestry Institute for Teachers). The “classroom on wheels” takes teachers on an intensive and interactive learning experience that rotates in the four regions of ND.

NDGA co-hosts the Teacher Resource Coalition Workshops to train K-12 educators in various science, math, geography, art and technology teaching methods. We join five state agencies for this annual event.

The NDGA & Public Policy

Transforming state education

NDGA spoke to the ND Department of Public Instruction State
Superintendent of Schools and the Standards and Achievement Director
to express a desire to include geography

An alliance member serves on the Advisory Board of the ND Teacher Center Network, which provides an educational link between educators, schools, universities, and others.

NDGA consults with the ND Department of Public Instruction regarding geography education at all levels.