Are you new to the idea of a BioBlitz?  On April 30th, RIGEA will host an event at Rocky Hill’s amazing Land of Fires outdoor classroom.  We will get to explore, develop field experience, learn more about Rhode Island environments, map our findings, and share strategies to bring these programs to our students, classrooms and communities.  We will  work on skills and content to understand our local environments more intimately.  What could be more geographic than that?!?

We will be using the iNaturalist app to collect our data (free in the Apple iTunes store and the Google Play Store for Android devices).  This is an amazing social media network of naturalists AND it’s a tremendous platform to crowdsource and map out data.  Our project page on iNaturalist is titled “RIGEA BioBlitz 1.” Please download the app prior to the event, but you do not need to use it as we will walk you through the process.

WHEN: April 30th, 9am -2pm

WHERE: Rock Hill School’s Land of Fire (Rocky Hill School, 530 Ives Road, East Greenwich, RI, 02818).

TOOLS TO BRING (if possible):

• A smartphone with the iNaturalist app downloaded (to make observations in the field) 
• a laptop or tablet (to edit observations afterward).
• Binoculars
• Boots/shoes that can get wet and muddy.
  

Please RSVP (for a head count) by emailing rigea@ric.edu with the subject line “BioBlitz-Rocky Hill.” 

Source: rigea.org

If you would like to simply attend an event with the Giant Traveling map, RIGEA will be hosting a event, free to the public that will feature, use, and explore this map in great detail. This will be on March 31st (4-6pm) at Rhode Island College in the Student Union Ballroom. There will be some food, presentations, and a whole lot of map exploration…bring clean socks and a a desire to explore!

Source: rigea.org

The 2015 Summer Institute on online mapping and geospatial technologies for educators was a great success.  We want to invite everyone back to follow-up on some projects and activities since then (the great inspirational logo above is from GIS ETC.) 

WHEN: April 2nd, 2016 9am (breakfast and coffee will be provided).  The pre-meeting and breakfast begins at 8am.

WHERE: RIC campus 101 Alger Hall (computer lab)

WHO: all 2015 summer institute participants and anyone wish to join mid-stream. 

Source: Geospatial Institute Recap

I was just informed that our proposal to receive a Giant Traveling Map from National Geographic was accepted! This year, we will be receiving Pacific Ocean Map Many schools find this a great way to make a fun event for the whole school; it will be available for schools and teachers to use from March 11th to April 4th.

Source: rigea.org

If you would like to simply attend an event with the Giant Traveling map, RIGEA will be hosting a event, free to the public that will feature, use, and explore this map in great detail.  This will be on March 31st (4-6pm) at Rhode Island College in the Student Union Ballroom.

This past summer, Sandra Makielski, seventh grade social studies teacher from Davisville Middle School, North Kingstown, traveled to the Philippines for an eighteen day educators’ trip. She was selected by Teachers for Global Classrooms, a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program, to participate in their 2015 Educators’ Trip.  Global education is integral to building 21st century skills, and this opportunity was designed to jump start a teacher’s classroom. The trip was punctuated with many, many selfies with students, delicious food, and the hospitality of schools, faculty, and strangers. Ms. Makielski learned about the educational system, Filipino history, and the important role the Philippines is currently playing in global politics. Ms. Makielski looks forward to incorporating her new knowledge of the Philippines into her social studies lessons.

Applications are now open at the Teachers for Global Classrooms website. Deadline is March 17, 2016.

Source: rigea.org

Explore Iceland’s Changing Landscapes and diverse environments with the National Council for Geographic Education- Don’t miss the Professional Development Travel Experience of a Lifetime! Watch the video to learn more about Geocamp Iceland and visit ncge.org/geocamp for details. Deadline is March 15, 2016.

Source: ncge.org