Introduction
I overheard a student talking about it on the way out of school saying "we had this ambassador talking...I'm soooo doing geography next year!"
Geography Teacher, Brighton
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). 
Current training details
- University of Exeter, Friday 19th June 09, 3-6pm
- University of Nottingham, Thursday 1st October, 1-4pm
- University of Chester, Wednesday 7th October 09, 1-4.30pm
- Royal Geographical Society with IBG, London Thursday 15th October 09, 4-7pm
- Durham University, Wednesday 21st October 09, 10am-1pm
- Royal Geographical Society with IBG, London, Tuesday 27th October 09, 4.30-7.30pm
- University of Sussex, Friday 30th October (tbc), 10am - 1pm (tbc)
- Royal Geographical Society with IBG, London, Wednesday 11th November 09, 4-7pm
For further information email ambassadors@rgs.org
Recent news
Newly elected president of Cambridge University's student union is a geography ambassador. Congratulations to Tom Chigbo. Read about Tom here
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Ambassadors
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