Introducing the Speak Up For Geography (SUFG) Campus Challenge…
What is it?
SUFG is an easy and empowering way for GTU (Gamma Theta Upsilon) clubs and other college and university groups across the U.S. to voice their support for geographic education. Compete with other schools in a fun, low-[no] stakes challenge to see who can send the most letters to Congress!
You’ve heard us talk about the importance of advancing geography education before, and to that end, the need to ask Congress to support geo-ed with appropriate funding via the Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act (TGIF). For the last several years, K-12 and university educators, geography professionals, and many other generous friends have done their part to write letters to Congress. Now, we’re challenging college students to carry the banner for this worthy cause.
National Geographic Education is joining with other like-minded
organizations and youthful geo-enthusiasts to launch the Speak Up For
Geography Campus Challenge at the Association of American Geographers
(AAG) meeting in New York City…starting today (Friday 2/24/12)!
How can I SUFG?
If you’re at the AAG conference this weekend, look for the folks in “SUFG” sweatshirts and stop by our booth to pick your very own campus organizing toolkit. You can also score some sweet swag (bumper stickers, postcards, etc.) for yourself and your friends back at school
After AAG, and for those not able to attend the conference this weekend, take these simple steps to get involved (you guessed it, five).
1. Like the Campus Challenge on facebook and google+.
2. Follow us on twitter (@speakupforgeo).
3. Add this to your email signature: “Teaching geography is fundamental. Go to SpeakUpForGeography.org today”.
4. If you are a university student, join the Campus Challenge at sufgCampusChallenge.org.
5. If you know of any university students, consider forwarding this message:
We’re looking for geography advocates across college campuses in the United States.
Did you know? Only 20 U.S. states require a geography class in middle or high school, while many countries (like Switzerland, France, Norway, and Romania) require geography every year until high school graduation. Maybe that’s why 88% of 18-24 year old Americans can’t find Afghanistan on a map of Asia!
• Geography is much more than knowing where things are located, but without basic geographic knowledge it’s impossible to make informed decisions in our personal, professional, and civic lives.
• Right now, geography is named as a “core academic subject” but unlike all the other core academic subjects, including history, civics, economics, foreign languages and the arts, there is no dedicated federal funding stream to advance geography education.
We need to let Congress know that learning geography is important! Join the public campaign in support of the Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act. Go to sufgCampusChallenge.org to find out the many ways you can Speak Up For Geography.
Many thanks for your support. SUFG!
