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.
