4 Ways to Participate in Geography Awareness Week

November 18-22 is Geography Awareness Week. The goal is to raise awareness about geography and the significant role it plays in understanding environmental issues and spatial understanding. A geographer’s spatial understanding is critical in helping to solve complex problems in urban planning and environmental conservation. This week-long event encourages young geographers to explore their surroundings and learn how everything connects with global issues. Find out ways to participate below.

Spatial Understanding
Spatial awareness is understanding your position in relation to your surroundings. Being able to visualize where things are and how they interact with their surroundings is key when working in geography. It allows you to analyze patterns and plan for the future. Geographers use their spatial understanding in urban planning. It helps when planning for projects around the city, like building roads and bridges. Complete the Plan a Green City free activity by using spatial understanding in order to create a fully sustainable community.

Local Diversity
Go out and explore the area where you live. You will find there’s diversity everywhere. Various trees that engulf a small forest. A perfectly manicured walking trail. A body of water with a sandy beach. You will find your area is made up of many small ecosystems, each one different from the next. Compare this with the people that make up the town.

Compare and Contrast
Watch some nature documentaries that show a different ecosystem than where you live. Can you find some similarities? What are the biggest differences? How does each ecosystem help the world as a whole? Take what you learn and create a nature documentary for your own area. Be sure to highlight what sets your area apart from others around the world.

Get Social
Design and create a social media campaign with the aim of promoting your local geographic area. Find ways to encourage others to get out and explore what your community has to offer. Is there a nice walking trail available? Maybe a nice park to set up a nature-themed meet and greet. Or a local pond that’s good for fishing. Share your ideas and social media campaign using the hashtags #GeographyAwarenessWeek and #SpatialAwareness.