For Immediate Release Contact: Barbara K. Laskin
November 6, 2003 Doug Stone
(651) 696-6203

Minnesota Alliance for Geographic Education at Macalester Receives Two Grants from the National Geographic Society

St. Paul, Minn. - The Minnesota Alliance for Geographic Education (MAGE), currently located at the Macalester College Geography Department, has received two grants from the National Geographic Society totaling $118,719 to support its 2003-04 program which includes a five-year plan for the High School World Geography Initiative project.

After nearly two decades of work, a yearlong high school geography course is now required for graduation from public schools in Minnesota. The grants will enable MAGE to support teachers and students throughout the state in meeting these newly established requirements for a world geography course. Professional-development institutes, workshops for mentoring, a web site with interactive lessons and virtual tours will support teachers as districts across Minnesota establish their own curriculum and assessment plans pursuant to the new requirement.

On its 100th anniversary in 1988, the National Geographic Society established the Education Foundation and endowed it with an outright gift of $20 million. The earnings of the endowment were forever dedicated to improving the geographic literacy of U.S. students. The two grants, sponsored by the Education Foundation, support efforts to engage K-12 students and teachers in the exploration of geographic skills and perspectives leading to an appreciation of the world, its peoples and its resources.

MAGE, founded in 1987, is comprised of a group of teachers, college professors, and administrators supporting fellow teachers. MAGE believes that the study of geography is an important part of the intellectual maturation of students and that the materials available to all students must be of the highest possible quality.
Macalester is a private liberal arts college with a full-time enrollment of 1,851 students. Macalester is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, internationalism, diversity and service to society.

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