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NMGA Programs
The New Mexico Geographic Alliance offers a variety of programs for teachers, parents, and school districts. The Alliance works collaboratively with other organizations and agencies that share the commitment to improving geography education in the schools.
- Alliance Summer Geography Institute (ASGI)
A ten-day or two-week institute enrolls a minimum of 20 teachers, who may receive course credit. Focus includes geography content and instructional strategies. Teachers develop lesson plans for use the next academic year. Upon completion of the Institute, teachers are awarded the title of Teacher Consultant.
- Alliance Advanced Summer Geography Institute (AASGI)
From time to time, the Alliance sponsors Advanced Institutes. The GeoForce, a cadre of Teacher Consultants, emerged from the first AASGI. The focus of the Advanced Institute this program year will be the development of curriculum units integrating literacy skills and geography as the culminating activity of the Reading Through Geography.
- Curriculum Materials Development
All Teacher Consultants develop curriculum materials for their classroom use. The 1999-2000 program year will focus on New Mexico region curriculum materials.
- National Geographic Society Geographic Bee (GEOBEE)
An annual competition conducted at the state level ends with one student designated to compete in the National Geography Bee, held each year in Washington DC. The New Mexico Coordinator for the Geography Bee is Sue Strasia, National Board Certified Teacher, or you may email her at
j24kachia@msn.com.
- Geography for Life
The National Geography Standards, which outline what students should know and be able to do in order to demonstrate a world-class command of geography, were published in 1994. All Alliance training and curriculum materials incorporate both the national and state standards.
- Geography Outreach
In addition to Geography Awareness Week, the Alliance sponsors various year-round activities designed to enhance public awareness and knowledge of geography. In 1999-2000, a Geography Fair (modeled after the Science Fair) will be piloted. The Alliance also sponsors After-School Geography programs in selected districts. The New Mexico State Department of Education sponsors these activities.
- In-Service Workshops
The Alliance's Teacher Consultants offer in-service workshops in their district and region as professional development opportunities.
- Advanced Placement Geography
Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography offers a course of study equivalent to an
introductory college course in human geography. The AP Human Geography course introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth's surface. Through the study of spatial concepts and landscape analysis, students analyze human social organization and environmental consequences using the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice.
- Reading Through Geography
Funded by the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education (Eisenhower Program), the program is designed for a cadre of Teacher Consultants to develop interdisciplinary reading/literacy curriculum units that incorporate geographic knowledge and skills. Pre- and post-assessment will be conducted of student achievement in reading.
- Conferences
Regional conferences, sponsored by the New Mexico State Department of Education (New Mexico Education 2000) are conducted annually, focusing on geography standards, regional geography and technology literacy. A statewide spring conference, also sponsored by the New Mexico State Department of Education, showcases exemplary classroom instructional activities as well as technology literacy.
- Mentoring Induction
Each region's network of Teacher Consultants work with first-year teachers for the purpose of induction and enhancement of teaching abilities. The New Mexico State Department of Education sponsors this activity.
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