1. The Power of Exploration: Building Autonomy, Perspective, and Storytelling Through Geo-Inquiry

Where is it? Why is it there? Why should we care? If these three questions piqued your curiosity, you’re in good company here. Exploration is a powerful pathway to liberation and storytelling. The Geo-Inquiry Process, developed through the National Geographic Society, helps young people develop a spectrum of perspectives to analyze the interconnections between the human and natural worlds, share their voice, and effect change. Through this workshop, participants will engage in hands-on activities and explore technology, tools, and ideas to bring to your favorite units - no matter your subject area or grade level!

Intended Audience: This workshop is open to teachers of all grades.

Maria Pirner is passionate about collaborative, inquiry-driven, and community-based approaches to educating children. She has taught primary grades for the past seven years around the globe in China, Chile, Abu Dhabi, and the United States. Korematsu Discovery Academy, a public K-5 school in Oakland, CA, has been her home for the past five years where she teaches kindergarten and an afterschool group of 5th graders with a focus on changemaking.