23rd Annual Geography Awareness Week Poster Contest
....Register by Oct. 13th
September 03, 2010
November 14-20, 2010 has been designated as National Geography Awareness Week. Each year, the Texas Alliance for Geographic Education hosts a statewide poster contest for K-12 students during Geography Awareness Week.
This year’s poster contest theme is: Freshwater is Life
Freshwater concepts are geographic by nature, and there is a myriad of possibilities in terms of what your students can focus on when making their posters. Posters will be judged based on creativity and geographic content. Judging rubrics are included in the rules and information packet on the TAGE website. The judging rubrics will be used as a guide for the judges in determining the quality and functionality of a poster.
There is no substitute for water. We use it to grow food, keep clean, stay healthy, and produce energy, computers, clothing, and virtually every manufactured good on the planet. The average American diet alone demands an estimated 1,320 gallons of water a day, once you account for the irrigation of thirsty crops and the huge water costs associated with raising animals and processing meat. Below is a list of potential topics.
Water Sources: Where does freshwater come from? (examples - water cycle, aquifers, natural springs, geysers, wells, hot springs, river systems, watershed)
Transporting Water: How does freshwater get to you? (examples - pumping stations, water treatment facilities, sewage systems, showers, faucets, channels, canals)
Water Storage: How is water stored? (examples - reservoirs, water towers, rainwater collection)
Recreation: How do people use water for recreation? (examples - swimming pools, water parks, lakes, rivers)
Irrigation: How is water used to irrigate crops? What crops use more water, which ones use less? (crop water consumption)
- How do the different kinds of irrigation work? (examples - surface irrigation, localized irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, center-pivot irrigation, lateral move irrigation, sub irrigation, manual irrigation)
Waste/Pollution: How is water used in the disposal of waste? How can freshwater become polluted through human activity? How can water pollution affect people? (examples - acid rain, polluted watersheds, diseases, other sanitation issues)
Manufacturing: How is water used in manufacturing? How does manufacturing affect freshwater supply?
Water as a Power Source: Why are hydroelectric dams reliant on fresh water? How do hydroelectric dams work? What role does water play in the production of nuclear energy? How is water affected in the production of energy?
Political: How do people agree or disagree on water allocation (use)? How are waterways used as political boundaries? Surface water versus groundwater rights?
This list is not exhaustive, and feel free to explore other topics related to freshwater as well.
Participating campuses must register for the poster contest by Wednesday, October 13th. Please forward this message to art, science, and social studies teachers in your school district. For complete rules and information, visit our website at http://www.geo.txstate.edu/tage/.
About the Texas Alliance for Geographic Education
The Texas Alliance for Geographic Education (TAGE) was established in 1986, and its membership rolls now include over 7,000 K-12 educators, university faculty, parents, and community leaders across the state. The co-coordinators of the Texas Alliance are Dr. Richard G. Boehm, Texas State University-San Marcos, and Dr. Sarah W. Bednarz, Texas A&M University. The Texas Alliance serves as a clearinghouse for educational materials, industry information, and training opportunities throughout the state. The Texas Alliance has hosted more than 100 institutes and workshops, and has trained more than 4,600 teachers since its inception. These training events vary from 3-week in-residence programs to 1-day professional development workshops. Training faculty include some of the most highly qualified and experienced professors and Teacher Consultants that Texas has to offer.
Become an Alliance Member
The Texas Alliance gives you the opportunity to network with fellow educators, attend professional development events, and receive educational materials that you can use in your classroom. Join us!! There is NO CHARGE for membership. Apply online at http://www.geo.txstate.edu/tage/.
Nick Stamper & Robert Karl
2010 Texas Alliance Poster Contest Coordinators
Texas Alliance for Geographic Education
Department of Geography
Texas State University
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
phone: (512) 245-3827
fax: (512) 245-1653
