This project is designed to develop, test, and prepare for dissemination curricular materials to encourage active and comprehensive student learning in geography in grades 6-12. These materials will build on the structure used for the videotapes on "Global Geography", produced and disseminated by the Agency for Instructional Technology. That structure is based on major geographic themes and concepts that are keyed to important global issues. The project will engage nationally-known geographers, educators, and outstanding classroom teachers in a major program to develop materials that are inquiry-based, issue-oriented, and based on specific data. They will build critical thinking skills and address attitudes and values. They will reinforce the widely adopted "five fundamental themes" in geography and will encourage and facilitate learning a variety of geographic skills. The project will test the materials locally in Colorado classrooms and nationally through the network of state-based geographic alliances supported by the National Geographic Society. The materials will be relevant for use throughout the U.S. and in a variety of community settings.
