National Geographic renews $50,000 grant for Geography Education

 

KENNESAW, Ga. (Dec 17, 2008) — The National Geographic Education Foundation has renewed funding for the Georgia Geographic Alliance (GGA) with a $50,000 grant. This marks the third year in a row that the GGA has secured this grant. The GGA is housed in the Department of Geography and Anthropology at Kennesaw State University. Its mission is to enhance geographic literacy among K-12 students throughout Georgia.

 The grant money will help continue support for popular programs such as:

  • Geofest, a one-day professional development conference focusing on the teaching of geography. A Geofest is held each spring and fall.
  • Summer Institute, a yearly five-day intensive learning experience focusing on a specific topic in geography. Recent topics have included "Migration" and the "Environment of Georgia".
  • World Geography Bowl, where twelve teams from local high schools compete for prestige, trophies, and atlases.

 Garrett Smith, Chair of the Department of Geography and Anthropology and Director of the Georgia Geographic Alliance, said "I’m really pleased that the National Geographic will be funding this project for another year. It benefits Georgia’s children as they learn more about other peoples and places, which is critical to be effective in today’s global environment." Considering that in a 2006 Roper Poll, 50% of young Americans could not find New York on a map, Dr. Smith and the GGA are doing their part to make sure Georgia's youth will enter adulthood with the geographic skills to effectively navigate our ever-connected world.

For more information about the Georgia Geographic Alliance, please visit http://www.gaofgeorgia.org

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