The Geographic Alliance of Iowa (GAI) was established in 1991 with the support of the National Geographic Society (NGS). GAI is composed of K-12 teachers, college and university professors, personnel from a variety of other educational endeavors, and citizens, all of who are concerned with improving geographic instruction in Iowa.

As the only entity in Iowa specifically devoted to geography education, the mission of the Geographic Alliance of Iowa (GAI) is to help ensure K-12 graduates are geographically literate citizens.  To achieve this mission, the GAI provides resources and expertise to improve the geographic literacy of Iowa students. With a particular focus on K-12 education, including pre-service teachers, the GAI provides exemplary professional development opportunities that follow accepted best practices and offers a clearinghouse of accessible, high quality, standards-based curricular materials. Informed by external stakeholders and grounded by educators in the field, the GAI will increase the number of school districts that provide stand-alone geography courses and to more systematically infuse geography skills, technology, knowledge, and concepts into literacy, STEM, history, and other content areas. The GAI will cultivate an active network of geography educators who will advance the organization’s vision by contributing innovative means for advancing geographic education and participating with similar networks in other states as well as national/international partners.

COORDINATOR: 

Dr. Alex Oberle
ITT 207 0406
Department of Geography
University of Northern
Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
50614-0406 (319) 273-5952
Toll free in Iowa (800) 601-3899
email: alex.oberle@uni.edu