Geography Teaching Today

I am interested in becoming a student ambassador.
The ambassador scheme is a volunteering programme. It will give you the chance to make a positive impact on the lives of others by acting as a role model and enthusing young people about geography. In return you will benefit from enhanced experience, skills and employability. Find out more about the scheme here.

I am interested in our school having a visit from an ambassador. How do I get my school involved?
When would you like an ambassador to visit? Why not link a visit to a key intervention point such as option choices in Year 9, Level Three course choices in late spring or your Year 12 and 13 HE awareness programme? For more information click here.

How can our university be involved?
Do your students need more ‘real world’ experience? We are looking for university departments to encourage their undergraduate and postgraduate students to get involved in the scheme. Your university could even host one of our ambassador training events. The ambassador scheme is an excellent way of improving links between your department and local schools, raising awareness of the university amongst pupils and widening participation in further and higher education. For more information click here.

I am a graduate geographer. How can I get involved?
Did you study geography or a related subject at Higher Education level? Would you like to share your experiences of how geography’s broad portfolio of skills has helped you in your career? We are just as interested in those of you who are using the transferable graduate skills which came from study at university as those of you who are currently employed in a more geographical line of work. Click here to find out how to get involved.

This year we have introduced higher education and careers events specifically targeted at Year 9 students. Four of these events have been held so far in London and Birmingham with more to come in Bath (March 2010 tbc) and Durham (June 2010 tbc) Over 300 pupils so far have enjoyed these events where they discovered more about the opportunities offered by geography at university and beyond. They met some of our undergraduate and graduate geographers, enjoyed taster sessions of what GCSE geography could offer them through sessions on plate tectonics, global development, ecosystems and GIS.

Please contact the ambassador project direct on ambassadors@rgs.org for more information on future events or if you would like to plan a Going Places event at your school or university .Places are limited and should be booked in advance. There is no charge for our ambassador events. They are hosted by the geography ambassador scheme as part of the Action Plan for geography which is funded by the DCSF.

Going Places with Geography for Year 12 pupils

Our annual careers and higher education event, hosted by the geography ambassador scheme was held at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in London on Wednesday 1st July 2009. The day offered an excellent opportunity for Year 12 students, currently studying geography, to find out more about studying geography at university, how to apply and career options with a geography degree. There was a range of workshops throughout the day, allowing students to choose the sessions that will be most useful for them. The workshops were presented by both undergraduate and graduate ambassadors plus staff from universities and the RGS- IBG. Please see the event report attached on the right hand side for full details.

Our next Going places for Year 12 event will be held on Friday 25th June 2010 at the RGS IBG in Kensington, London. Places are limited and should be booked in advance. Pupils may attend individually or as a school group. There is no charge for this event. This event is hosted by the geography ambassador scheme as part of the Action Plan for geography which is funded by the DCSF. For further information please contact b.cox@rgs.org or download a booking form from the right hand side.

Careers and progression talks for school geography clubs, university societies and university and school careers events.

As part of our Going Places with Geography programme we are always pleased to present talks or facilitate workshops for schools and universities as part of progression programmes. In the past year we have worked with UCL, Bath Spa, Birmingham and Hull Universities as part of their careers education offer to undergraduate geographers. We have also supported, through our ambassador programme, many school and FE college careers and options evenings. Please get in touch with us at ambassadors@rgs.org if we can help you promote and develop your IAG & careers offer to your young geographers.

This is typical of the positive feedback received from the Geography Ambassador scheme. Building on this success, the Ambassador Project has expanded to provide access to enthusiastic geography ambassadors for all LEA Maintained schools in England.  The aim is for ambassadors to make at least one visit to a school where they will work with one or two groups of pupils in the 11 – 19 age groups.

What is the aim of the geography ambassador scheme?
The scheme recruits, trains and supports undergraduate and postgraduate geographers from universities and business to act as ambassadors for geography in the classroom.

This is a great way to introduce younger students to the benefits of studying geography and encouraging them to pursue the subject beyond the compulsory stages.

The ambassadors act as positive role models for pupils and they illustrate, with enthusiasm, both the specific and transferable skills they have developed as a geographer. The scheme offers schools the opportunity to strengthen links with local HE and businesses.

What will ambassadors offer?
Ambassadors deliver a presentation with activities to groups on a mutually agreed theme such as ‘Why study geography?’, ‘Geography and careers’ or ‘My special project or research interest’. Subsequently ambassadors could return to  support geography clubs, homework clubs or fieldwork activities.

The Geography Ambassadors strand of the Action Plan for Geography is run by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

Are you thinking of taking geography further? You are onto a winning formula!

Employers seek a mixture of skills, qualifications and experience when they recruit for a job. As a graduate (this is someone with a degree or university qualification) you will be in demand for your transferable skills such as being:

• A good Communicator with strong presentation skills
• Competent with ICT
• Able to carry out research
• Used to working effectively in a team and taking a variety of roles in a team
• Able to manage your time by juggling commitments, meeting deadlines and managing stress
• Good at combining information from a variety of sources with excellent writing skills