Geographic Learning
Designing National Programs for Local and Global Impacts

Chair: Greg Crosby, Sustainable Development, USDA/CSREES

Facilitator: Chris Bernabo, Director, National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry

This break-out session will discuss and recommend a combination of education and outreach strategies for public and private agencies and organizations interested in advancing education for sustainability. Educational strategies will be analyzed from at least two national programs: My Community, Our Earth; Geographic learning for sustainable development uses GIS to visualize problems and solutions and GLOBE: A worldwide hands-on, primary and secondary school-based education and science program.  This session is designed to assist federal and state agencies, and non-governmental organizations to build successful national programs that address sustainable development at the community and international levels. This session will integrate learning in schools with non-formal learning opportunities available through the Internet, science centers, home, and youth-serving groups. Recommendations will align with the implementation plan as advanced by the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Resource people will include: Doug Richardson, Executive Director, Association of American Geographers; Allen Carroll, Chief Cartographer, National Geographic Society; C.J. Cote, International Relations/GIS Consultant, ESRI; and Carol Conroy, Chief Educator and Director for US Partnerships, GLOBE (invited). 

Panalists include: Joshua Stearns, Policy Analyst, Office of Education and Sustainable Development, NOAA; and Bob Ridky, Director of Education, USGS.

The intended audience includes: Local, state, and federal education program managers; Directors of education, extension, and outreach in federal agencies; Education and science professional societies and association staff; Private sector and non-governmental agencies public relations, education, and outreach; State and local supervisors and curriculum developers of science and social studies. 

Resources:

• Discussion and Attendees
  Click here to join the online discussion and view the list of attendees registered for this breakout session.    
• Building National Programs for Local and Global Impacts
  Pre-conference paper