GeoCivics
Civic Engagement & Advocacy during an election year
2024 GeoCivics Summer Academy
GeoCivics Summer Academy
June 13-22, 2024 / Washington, DC
During the summer of 2024 we will be hosting an exciting place-based educational experience in Washington, DC to learn how to include diverse perspectives in the education space through civic engagement and advocacy in your American history, geography, civics, and government instruction. During the Academy, we will celebrate Juneteenth in our Capital, and meet with educators, historians, experts, and advocacy groups. We will also visit historic locations such as the White House, the Capital, and museums to deepen content knowledge of civic engagement and advocacy, and strengthen pedagogical knowledge and skills.
Eligibility:
You must be a US citizen, and currently a teacher of record in a U.S. K-12 classroom, and actively teaching social studies or plan to school year 24/25. NOTE: Special considerations will be made to teachers who have English learners in their classroom.
Academy Expectations: *ALL expenses paid by GeoCivics
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Complete all pre/post surveys, interviews and assessments
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Complete short, self-study modules
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Attend the summer Academy (requires travel via commercial flights and local transportation)
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Develop 3-5 lessons including one 5E lesson, one gamification activity, and a civic action plan
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Present two PD workshops at your school, district, and/or local conferences
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Participate in several 'Study Hall' Zoom meetings following Academy
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Participate in a culminating conference presentation (via Zoom)
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Identify a control teacher at your school who will be willing to take the pre/post quizzes (they will receive a small stipend for doing so)
QUESTIONS? Contact Dianne at dianne.mckee@asu.edu
Academy Benefits: *ALL expenses paid by GeoCivics
Led by a team of content and pedagogical experts, grant staff, and mentors, you will gain the knowledge, strategies, and skills needed to teach about civic engagement and advocacy in your classroom!
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Receive a $2,500 stipend upon completion
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Receive funding for teaching supplies
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Attend a seven-day, residential Academy in Washington, DC
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Belong to the GeoCivics Educator Network
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Deepen pedagogical and content knowledge
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Earn professional development hours for course work and Academy
APPLICATION PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED
Award Notifications: Jan. 5, 2024
Please note that this is a very competitive application process.
About GeoCivics: The Project's goal is to integrate geography across the social sciences to improve instruction for culturally and linguistically diverse student populations. The Project will support diverse students in both Arizona and across the U.S. by developing a systemic plan to design and implement professional development, digital resources, and GeoCivics lesson plans based on evidence-based strategies to further educate, support and empower K-12 teachers.
US Territories & Regions
2023 GeoCivics Summer Academy
The GeoCivics 2023 Academy participants, mentors and ASU staff have returned from an AMAZING place-based educational experience to learn how to include the perspectives and unique history of U.S. Territories in American history, geography, civics, and government instruction! Exploring Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, participants met with senators, historians, representatives from the EPA and NPS, conservation groups, classroom and museum educators, and visited historic locations and museums to deepen content knowledge of civics, geography, and social studies, and strengthen pedagogical knowledge and skills.
This picture is of our second GeoCivics Cohort, staff, and mentors at the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, also known as El Morro, a citadel built between 16th and 18th centuries in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Westward Expansion Through the Lens of Indigenous Peoples
2022 GeoCivics Summer Academy
During the summer of 2022, selected K-12 teachers from across the US and Puerto Rico met up in Tulsa, OK to begin a place-based Summer Academy. Working our way back from Tulsa to Arizona by coach and train, we explored important historical sites and museums, met with content experts, and leaders and members from various indigenous nations to deepen and broaden our knowledge of Western Expansion through the lens of indigenous peoples.
This picture is of our first GeoCivics Cohort, staff, and mentors at Northeastern University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The statue is of Sequoyah, a polymath of the Cherokee Nation who created the Cherokee syllabary. The statue is located on the Northeastern University campus in Tahlequah, OK. The Cohort included teachers from Florida, Michigan, Virginia, Puerto Rico, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arizona.