August 2014
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Dr. DeMers attents INLT writing workshop

Dr. DeMers joined 34 other higher education geography researchers in Surrey, UK from August 29 through August 31 for a writing workshop sponsored by the International Network for Learning and Teaching Geography in Higher Education (INLT) and by the Journal of Geography in Higher Education.  Dr. DeMers lead one of 6 writing groups that are targeting a special issue of the Journal of Geography in Higher Education.  The group he was in is focusing on GIS education and its role in critical spatial thinking and development of spatial citizens.  The special issue is expected out in about twelve months.

January 2014
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Dr. DeMers takes over as president of NCGE

Beginning January 1, 2014, Dr. DeMers took over as the president of the National Council for Geographic Education. The nation's only organization specifically dedicated to the support of geographic education, NCGE offers New Mexico Geographic Alliance Members a 50% discount on membership. Enjoy the companionship of like-minded K-16 educators. Receive access to The Journal of Geography and The Geography Educator.

July 2013

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Mr. Carr delivers paper at the 2013 annual NCGE conference in Denver
Mr. Raymond (Randy) Carr delivered a paper titled “Andragogy and Introductory GIS Training With a Hybridized, Web-based Training Model for Adult Learners” at the National Conference on Geographic Education in Denver on August 3. His work describes the results of his experiences teaching GIS within the geography department at New Mexico State

Dr. DeMers delivers paper at the 2013 annual NCGE conference in Denver
Dr. Michael DeMers delivered a paper titled “You’ve Got Geography in My Science” at the National Conference on Geographic Education on August 3. This paper describes the strong linkage between geographic content and the hard sciences and how geography content can be incorporated into traditional science classes.

Dr. DeMers delivers papers at the ESRI Education and International User Conferences
Dr. DeMers gave two papers at the ESRI Education and International Conferences in San Diego in June. His paper for the education conference was titled “A Geodesign Exercise: First Experiences” and can be downloaded by searching under the 2013 proceedings index. His multi-authored paper for the International Conference was titled “Toward an Immersive 3D Virtual BoK Exploratorium: A Proof of Concept” and has been published in Transactions in GIS.

June 2014
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Mr. Carr gets T3G certificate from Environmental Systems Research Institute
Mr. Carr was selected to attend a week of training for the Teachers Teaching Teachers (T3G) program in Redlands CA; an event sponsored by Environmental Systems Research Institute. He spent a week training with 85 other educators from around the US and abroad. The training focused on how to employ the power and flexibility of ArcGIS.com for teaching a wide variety of content in an even wider set of subjects. Upon completion of T3G, participants are expected to conduct PD events about the use of GIS in education; serve as "local experts" for states, districts, and schools; and stay engaged with the GIS education community.  Carr is one of approximately 300 holders of the T3G certificate and one of three in New Mexico.  See ESRI K12 School District & Statewide Licenses for more information.

June 2013
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Dr. DeMers gets T3G certificate from Environmental Systems Research Institute
Dr. DeMers was selected to get a week of training for the Teachers Teaching Teachers (T3G) program sponsored by Environmental Systems Research Institute. He spent a week of training with 94 other educators from around the US and abroad. The training focused on how to employ the power and flexibility of ArcGIS.com for teaching a wide variety of content in an even wider set of subjects. A major part of the training is to produce a group of educators who will, in turn, train other educators in these techniques through workshops and webinars. DeMers is one of approximately 200 holders of the T3G certificate and one of only two in New Mexico.

August 2014
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Strategic planning document nearing completion

The efforts dozens of volunteers and the New Mexico Geographic Alliance staff , outside consultant Jeff Goebel, and unpaid interns has now compiled and organized the comments made during our four site visits and initial document review is underway.

June 2014
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Strategic planning draft document under development
After strategic planning meetings held in Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Silver City and Carlsbad, the first draft of the strategic planning document is under preparation.  The initial stages is a compilation of pages of transcripts of conversations into a coherent document reflecting the advice and wisdom of educators, museum professionals, administrators, librarians, technicians and many others who participated in these meetings.  The Alliance team is very grateful for the participation of all who took time from their busy schedules to assist us.  

January 2014
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First strategic planning meeting held at NMSU
Saturday, January, 25, 2014, eighteen dedicated geography supporters attended the first of several planned strategic planning meetings - this one held at New Mexico State University and hosted by the NMSU Alliance and the Department of Geography. Educators, administrators, friends and supporters began the process of forming the New Mexico Geographic Alliance into an organization that will serve the mission of supporting geography education in New Mexico. Stay tuned for more such meetings in months to come.