What Is Geography Education Outreach?
Geography Education Outreach is the heart of the National Geographic Society’s effort to put geography back in the nation’s classrooms. The program, working with the National Geographic Society Education Foundation, utilizes resources from across the Society to improve geography instruction. The program operates primarily through a nationwide network of geographic alliances active in all states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Members of this network—educators interested in improving the teaching of geography—are offered professional development, materials, training, and grant opportunities.

Geography Education Outreach focuses its resources in five strategic areas:

Grassroots Organization:
The network of geographic alliances brings together the enthusiasm and expertise of academic geographers, classroom teachers, education decision-makers, and private citizens to promote geography at the local level.

Teacher Education:
The Society and the alliances conduct intensive geography institutes during the summer, some addressing special topics or audiences (such as urban teachers or thematic institutes) and one- and two-day workshops during the school year. Geography Education Outreach also administers the Family Geography Challenge, a school-based program that encourages families to focus on geography at home by watching TV news together.

Materials Development:
Geography Education Outreach encourages and supports alliances in developing geography materials keyed to local curricula. The program itself publishes educational materials, including lesson plans and other resources for K–12 classrooms and workshops.

Public Awareness:
Since 1987 the program has spearheaded Geography Awareness Week, a nationwide celebration involving schools, communities, and organizations in events that draw attention to geography and the alliances’ efforts to improve geographic literacy. The program prepares a complete teacher’s packet for the week, keyed to a theme chosen each year to highlight a particular aspect of geography.

Outreach to Education Decision-Makers:
The program enlists the interest and support of governors, state legislators, and other leaders in supporting and promoting geography education. Many of these leaders have taught geography classes, issued Geography Awareness Week proclamations, and become advocates of improved geography education. Specifically, the program has undertaken a concerted effort to help state and local officials adapt the National Geography Standards for local use.