Workshops

The SCGeo offers pre-service workshops for South Carolina colleges and universities, and in-service training for schools and school districts across the state. Workshops typically include standards-based lessons and free classroom resources. We design professional development activities to suit individual class or school needs. Sample workshops include:

Atlas of South Carolina

Classroom atlases are a resource for teaching not only geography, but history, civics, and economics. Designed specifically for grades 3 and 8, the atlas can be used in other grade levels for teaching map skills or placing South Carolina within a larger geographic context. Lesson plans and a SC Atlas will be provided to each teacher in attendance.

PK-Grade 5 Preservice

SCGeo partners with education professors across the state to give students an overview of the discipline of geography, examine relevant state standards, and participate in hands-on model activities to teach geographic content and skills. These workshops are offered virtually or in-person at the hosting college or university. For in-person workshops, SCGeo will provide materials based on availability at no cost.

Geography Across the Curriculum

We will demonstrate lessons that effectively use geography integrated with language arts, math, science, and social sstudies. Lesson plans will be provided to each teacher in attendance.

Grades 6-12 Preservice

SCGeo partners with education professors across the state to give students an overview of the discipline of geography, examine relevant state standards, and participate in hands-on model activities to teach geographic content and skills. These workshops are offered virtually or in-person at the hosting college or university. For in-person workshops, SCGeo will provide materials based on availability at no cost.

Geospatial Technologies for the Classroom

Using geospatial technologies (e.g. Google Earth) in the classroom has been shown to improve student achievement on test scores and final course grades in social studies and science classrooms. Teachers will learn how to engage students using ESRI’s ArcGIS Online, a cloud-based Geographic Information System. Teachers will learn about the ConnectEd Initiative and be instructed on how to create their own free accounts.

Inservice Workshops - Indicators and/or Tools

SCGeo partners with districts and schools across the state to address specific concerns related to standards and tools. District representatives can request professional development to support the development of activities based on specific indicators or teaching tools.