World Regional Geography Concepts Project

在过去的几年里，教育界和公众越来越意识到学生缺乏地理知识。孟菲斯城市学校系统和孟菲斯州立大学的合作项目--世界区域地理概念项目就是对这种情况的回应。在为期三年的计划的头两年，重点将放在提高中学(一年级)和小学(二年级)教师的地理知识上。每年，来自孟菲斯市学校系统的30名教师将接受为期六周(夏季)的密集(每天7小时)地理内容课程，包括地图技能。在同一时间段内，这些教师将修改当地和商业制作的地理材料和活动，以适应当地的地理课程。孟菲斯市学校系统已同意将这些补充活动纳入正在进行的地理课程。在每个学年，大学人员、学校系统课程监督员和暑期教师参与者将对地理教师进行在职培训。这些活动将在所有地理课程中进行实地测试和评估。根据教师的回应，教材将根据需要进行修改。第三年将包括小学和中学课程材料的最终评估和修订，以及大学人员、学校系统课程监督员和暑期参与教师的持续在职和协助。孟菲斯城市学校系统和孟菲斯州立大学的捐款相当于国家科学基金会奖金的48%。

During the last several years the educational community and the general public have become increasingly aware of the lack of geographic knowledge of students. The World Regional Geography Concepts Project, a cooperative project involving the Memphis City Schools System and Memphis State University is a response to this situation. The focus during the first two years of a three-year program will be on upgrading the geographic knowledge of secondary (year one) and elementary (year two) teachers. Each year thirty teachers from the Memphis City Schools System will receive an intensive (seven hours a day) six weeks (summer) content course in geography, including map skills. Throughout this same time period, these teachers will modify locally and commercially produced geography materials and activities to coincide with the local geography curriculum. The Memphis City Schools System has agreed to incorporate these supplementary activities into the ongoing geography curriculum. During each academic year, University personnel, school system curriculum supervisors, and summer teacher participants, will conduct in-service training for geography teachers. The activities will be field tested and evaluated in all geography courses. Based on responses by the teachers, the materials will be modified as necessary. Year three will consist of final evaluation and revision of both elementary and secondary level materials as well as continued in-service and assistance from University personnel, school system curriculum supervisors, and summer participant teachers. The Memphis City Schools System and Memphis State University have contributed an amount equal to 48% of the National Science Foundation award.