About the Arizona Geographic Alliance AzGA About the Arizona Geographic Alliance The Arizona Geographic Alliance is an organization that promotes geographic literacy. The Arizona Geographic Alliance provides professional development activities for teachers as well as creates and distributes materials that teach geography. The Arizona Geographic Alliance is one of the state alliances supported by National Geographic Society, and it is housed in the School of Geographic Sciences and Urban Planning at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.

About AzGA We are a statewide organization dedicated to the development and promotion of geographic awareness. According to the national test for geography, American students are ranked near the bottom in comparison with student scores from other developed nations. It is a very simple reason why students from the US rank so poorly; geography is not taught in most American school systems to the degree of Geographic Literacy. Students who are geographically literate will have increased job opportunities, make the US more economically competitive, understand diversity of our world, and make better decisions.Therefore, the Arizona Geographic Alliance is dedicated to the development and promotion of geographic awareness. We do this through workshops for teachers and by providing materials to teach geography.

About AzGA We encourage a culture that uniquely brings out the creativity, passion, and excitement in teaching Teachers who belong to the Arizona Geographic Alliance see the reason for teaching geography. With quality professional growth opportunities and well-designed, standards-based lessons, teachers infuse the classroom with geographic learning. The Arizona Geographic Alliance encourages a culture that brings out creativity, passion, and excitement in teaching.

About AzGA We advance student achievement in geography through collaborative partnerships: National Geographic Society Arizona State University AZ Humanities Council AZ Council for the Social Studies AZ Project Wet Salt River Project AZ Historical Society School Districts: Kyrene, Yuma, Mesa, Phoenix Elem, Flagstaff, etc. Library of Congress Other State Alliances: OK, MI, UT, CO, NM, etc One of the reasons that the Arizona Geographic Alliance is so successful is due to our collaborative partnerships with other educational and governmental groups. Through our shared resources, we can offer more opportunities to teachers and impact more people.

About AzGA We provide quality educational resources and relevant professional development opportunities. • GeoLiteracy and GeoMath programs • Basic & Advanced Institutes • Teaching Geography to ELLs • Website (maps, lessons, virtual workshops) • GeoHistory and Legacy Project • GeoConference • Other geo-ed workshops Some of our signature programs involve the integration of geography into the tested subjects of reading, writing, and math. Hence we have GeoLiteracy and GeoMath with 85 lessons for K-8 classrooms. These two programs have been recognized by the National Council for the Social Studies. A third program, Teaching Geography to Diverse Learners, adapts our GeoLiteracy lessons for English Language Learners. In honor of our state’s Centennial Celebration, we have lessons dedicated to the history and geography of Arizona in our Legacy Project. And we also have our newest program, GeoHistory, for grades K-12. Afterall, Geography is the stage where history happens. Throughout the year, half-day and full-day workshops are held on special topics such as using primary source documents, the Arizona-Mexico border, and freshwater in Arizona. Every year depending on funding, we try to have a Alliance Summer Geography Institute to train teachers in a 10 day “geography boot camp.” It is here that we create Teacher Consultants who can advocate for geography education.

AzGA Website Website Features: http://geoalliance.asu.edu/azga/ On the Arizona Geographic Alliance website, there are more than 170 lessons that teach the tested subjects of reading, writing, and math integrated with geography. There are also lessons that integrate history and geography. The website also has hundreds of maps that can be downloaded and used in classrooms. In the Latest News section you can find ways to earn recertification hours. Under Upcoming Events, you can learn about workshops in the future. If you wish to be a member, and we hope you do, click on Become a Member. At this time, membership is free.