The Discovery Center of Springfield and the Missouri Geographic Alliance (MGA), in conjunction with the National Geographic Society (NGS), will play host to one of National Geographic's Giant Traveling Maps . The 30 foot by 40 foot map of Asia, featuring political and physical attributes, will be on display November 11-23, 2008 at the Discovery Center located in downtown Springfield. National Geographic's Traveling Maps tour the country's schools, bringing hands (and feet)-on geography education to tens of thousands of students each year. Designed to combat geographic illiteracy by igniting students' interest in geography, the maps and accompanying activities incorporate physical movement and games to teach students place name geography, physical geography, and cultural geography, as well as map reading skills.
Missouri Geographic Alliance Coordinator, Amy Strickland-Minor says; “The MGA is excited to be partnering with the Discovery Center and NGS to bring this highly-interactive and fun geographic learning opportunity to teachers and students in Southwest Missouri. By exploring Asia on a 1200 square foot scale, students have the opportunity to physically and mentally engage with a region of growing importance in the world of the 21 st century.”
Plan now to be part of this unique learning opportunity! This map from National Geographic is being brought to DCS in collaboration with the Missouri Geographic Alliance. Limited scholarship funds are available through the MO Geographic Alliance. To book a field trip and find out about program options using the map, contact Hayley Budd at 862-9910x726. For map scholarship info., contact Laurie Duncan at 862-9910x701.
