Goals of the Alliance

The mission of the Tennessee Geographic Alliance is to assist in the creation of an informed citizenry by improving the stature of geography in the curriculum and empowering teachers and students at all levels with knowledge and performance capabilities that enhance lifelong learning.

 

The Alliance Offers:

• Summer Institutes, with college credit, stipends, and materials.
• Free workshops focusing on important learning skills.
• Free materials for teachers.
• Free membership.
• Opportunities to participate in statewide curriculum and other conferences.
• Access to university geographers and expert K-12 teachers, for assistance in teacher training and curriculum development.

Why Geography, Now?

Increasing the quantity and quality of geography instruction and learning in our schools has become a national imperative. Some of the reasons for this are:

• A deplorable ignorance of Geography among student and adult populations.
• Specific identification of Geography by the nation's governors and in Goals 2000 as a subject in which American schools are to achieve parity with the most advanced industrial nations by 2000.
• Changes in the competitive positions of regions and nations, in light of increasing globalization of economic forces and organizations.
• The growing significance of geographic skills as tools to address and manage problems in government and industry.
• The increasing need to understand and solve major problems related to human use of the natural environment.

Geography, Offering Solutions for Global Problems

Human - Environmental Interaction

Geography seeks understanding of and explanation for the interactive nature of physical environments and human activities over the earth's surface. Such interactions produce a constantly evolving and highly diverse mosaic of human and environmental conditions, problems, and opportunities.

Locational Analysis

Geography provides analytical tools and techniques for evaluating present and potential locations for all kinds of facilities, including shopping centers, schools, roads, factories, and power plants.

Management of Geographic Information

Escalating availability of information has led to a need for improved efficiency in analysis and management of geographic data. Geographers are at the forefront in designing and implementing spatial management systems (GIS - Geographic Information System) for small towns, urban complexes, multinational corporations, and government agencies. Varied responsibilities include recording recording and managing problems related to underground cables and water lines, spare parts, raw materials, forest growth, and hundreds of other kinds and types of data.

Contact Information

Kurt Butefish, Coordinator
Tennessee Geographic Alliance
304 Geography Bldg.
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996-0925

Phone: 865-974-4841
Email: kbutefis@utk.edu