January 2009 Archives

*Tourism can be added to the list of threats to Antarctica's environmental health as an increasing number of travelers venture "down south" to vacation in arctic waters.  Because the area's popularity hasn't yet reached the levels of Spring Break, Cancun, the Antarctic region has an ability to start from scratch in adopting unique forms of eco-tourism. Yet, should the international community even consider jeopardizing such a delicate ecosystem for the sake of recreation?

 

*Is the terrible towel Pittsburgh's key to a Steeler's win in Superbowl XLIII, or a glorified piece of cloth?  While the debate is heated, there are many similarities between  Steelers nation--with the terrible towel as its flag--and political nationalism.  I'll keep my predictions/gripes/personal comments about this subject aside =)

 

*President Obama called for the EPA to reconsider its policy on setting unique state emissions standards at the same time a national study claimed that cleaner air adds 5 months to an individual's lifespan.  With clear (excuse the pun) benefits of cleaner air, should states be able to set their own emissions standards, or should the entire nation strive for the lowest possible emissions--regardless of population?

In response to my introductory post, our friend Julianne Idleman shared with us her sense of place. She said, "We love the feeling we have in the garden that we share with our local home schooling group. It gives us a sense of place that is always growing and changing."

I was intrigued by her garden, as gardening was something that I grew up with. My mom used to plant and maintain the most beautiful gardens and serve my family tomatoes and zucchinis that she had grown herself. If you have never eaten a vegetable that you have grown yourself, then you truly haven't lived yet. Please take a little time to look at Julianne's slide show and listen to her discuss her community garden. Who knows, you may learn a little something about living sustainably.
 

If you found this interesting... why not check out some of Julianne's other posts here?

-Cameron for My Wonderful World

Hey Everyone!

     Let me take a little time to introduce myself, my name is C-A-M to the E... ummmm...  Actually, you can just call me Cameron. I'm the newest addition to the totally radical staff here at My Wonderful World, and I come to you in the form of an intern. My journey to this desk began years ago, when I first developed what some may call my "sense of place". Many of you may be wondering, "What is this 'sense of place' that he speaks of?" It is more than just where something is, it is comprised of a multitude of factors that come together to give you a certain feeling about a space or a place. However, instead of attempting to explain the whole shebang, I'll let you take a look at this site here.

 

     So back to my sense of place, where did it all begin?  I graduated in December, 2008, from Oklahoma State University with an B.A. in Geography. When I started my career as a college student, I also had to get a job. Luckily, I ended up at OSU Outdoor Adventure, which was basically the sweetest job that I could have hoped for. At the job, I was tasked to research maps, plan trips, take participants out into nature and show them how to safely have an AWESOME time! Of course, this lifestyle spoke to me and I thought to myself, "I have found what means most to me! I have found my sense of place!" Taking my newfound "sense of place" into account, I narrowed my academic studies down to focus on recreation, specifically outdoor recreation such as backpacking, mountain biking, rock climbing etc. that takes place in our National Parks. Throughout my years working as an adventure educator and outdoor guide, I developed a deep appreciation for intact and healthy ecosystems as well as the recreational opportunities that could be had within these ecosystems. These recreational opportunities are a classic example of human-environment interaction, which is one of the fundamental tenets of geography. What are some of the ways that you interact with the environment? I'm willing to guess that every one of you that reads this has AT LEAST one outdoor hobby. Think about the ways that you impact the environment when participating in that hobby, but don't stop there; think about how the environment affects you as well!

     Personally, I am a HUGE mountain biker... a huge fan of mountain biking that is- I'm not like 9 feet tall or anything. Geographically, mountain biking is popular in certain places... mountains help. Many of you may have heard of Moab, Utah, widely considered to be one of the greatest spots on earth for GNARLY biking opportunities. But why is this so? Part of the reason is that the residents of Moab have fostered a culture of mountain biking that is appealing to mountain bikers. Why would residents do this? Any number of reasons really, but most likely, economics.  Mountain biking brings large amounts of money into the town every single year. Physically, the region is characterized by a geologic feature called slickrock which is essentially like a giant natural skate park that mountain bikers can play on all day long. Other factors play a part in making Moab a Mecca for mountain biking, of course, but thoughts like this are a great start for thinking geographically!

 

     So I task all you loyal readers with this challenge: Think back to a moment in your life where you have felt a "sense of place". Was it your hometown or perhaps a favorite restaurant? Maybe, like me, it was some activity that you practiced in a certain type of place. Possibly it was an excellent concert or street fair. Whatever it is, let's hear about it! Tell us in your own geographic terms about when you felt a "sense of place".

Best,
Cameron Meyer

Rainer Jenss of National Geographic Traveler magazine is in the seventh month of his year-long journey around the world with his family, and the MWW team loves to periodically read about their adventures on the Intelligent Travel blog (and wish we were trekking along with them)!

When we last checked in, the family had just reached China, and has since been to Japan, Bhutan, Thailand, and New Zealand.  They are currently "down under" exploring Australia's wildlife and visiting Sydney's famous opera house.

A new President means new policy, and the Obama administration has hit the ground running. This week we highlight national education news that we hope President Obama will take into consideration, as well as featuring some exceptional work by individuals in the field.

*After receiving a grant from the National Geographic Education Foundation, My Wonderful World Public Engagement Coordinator and University of Colorado (Colorado Springs) professor Rebecca Theobald plans to expand geography offerings in K-12 classrooms with her colleague Steve Jennings. Their task list includes professional development for teachers in geography education and explaining how geography plays an essential role for students in 21st century learning.  

*Is Borat a better mathematician than American students?  According to the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) released at the end of 2008, he should be. Kazakhstan was just one of several nations that trumped the U.S. in math and science skills.  While the U.S. falls just barely in the top 10 for each of these subjects, it begs us to question the state of our entire educational system when considered alongside the 2006 Roper Poll on geographic literacy.

*The Louisiana endowment for the humanities awarded Cathy Mills, a middle school art and history teacher, with the prestigious Humanities Teacher of the Year award for her interdisciplinary project-based lessons.  Most notably (to My Wonderful World), Cathy organized a trip of sixth-grade lobbyists to visit the state Capitol.  The proposed bill?  Legislation that would endow geography education.

*The Senate confirmed Arne Duncan as U.S. Secretary of Education earlier in the week. We're eager to see how Secretary Duncan deals with nation-wide dissent over the No Child Left Behind Act, along with the Teaching Geography Is Fundamental legislation, a policy initiative supported by the National Geographic Education Foundation.


*The University of Maryland (UMD) is reporting that study abroad participation and interest has increased steadily over the past decade.  In fact, the Institute of International Education reports an 8% rise in study abroad participation from the 06-07 academic year to the 07-08 academic year. Yet, while UMD boasts increased interest from its student body, will the number of students who actually participate in study abroad programs for 08-09 year remain strong? Should President Obama take steps to ensure that cross-cultural exchange programs prosper (thrive?) in the face of an economic crisis? Let us know what you think!

Read the January 2009 Newsletter: "Make Your New Years Resolutions Geographic"

Inside:
GeoFeature: 10 Most Important Geographic Events of 2008
Geography in the News: New Marine Conservation Program, Giant Inauguration Map
Blog: New My Wonderful World Blog

Plus:

After a full day of participating in inauguration festivities here in D.C. on Tuesday, I returned to the office Wednesday morning to find the following email in my inbox from the ONE Campaign (an initiative to combat poverty and preventable disease--particularly AIDs in Africa--famously co-founded by U2 frontman Bono]:


"Dear, Sarah,
More than 100,000 ONE members signed our petition to Barack Obama, asking him to make a strong statement about global poverty in his inaugural address. And he did exactly that.
Now it's time to send him a thank you note."

And I obliged. Here's my letter to Obama:

Dear Mr. President,

Many thanks for your steadfast, heartfelt speech at the inauguration Tuesday, and particularly your statements re: global poverty, the green economy, and education. I was honored to stand among my countrymen (and thousands of others from around the world) on the National Mall and take part in this historic event. Best of wishes in '09 and into the future, and please continue to let us know how We--the American People--can contribute to creating a more perfect union. Fired up... and ready to go!

Best,
Sarah Jane

What did YOU think of President Obama's speech at the inauguration? Let us know!

Business as usual resumed in Washington D.C. today, and those of us who attended yesterday's inaugural events are reveling in our personal space once more.  The inauguration ceremony was definitely not for the claustrophobic or cryophobic (fear of cold weather) as crowds filled the 2.2 mile stretch of the National Mall leading west from the U.S. Capitol.  It's impossible to know the exact number of people who attended yesterday's affairs, but companies like GeoEye are using satellite imagery to make educated guesses.  This article highlights the art of crowd counting and quotes the final attendance estimate for the inauguration ceremony--anywhere from 800,000 to 3 million people! Check it out to learn about various crowd counting techniques and tell us which you think is most accurate.

While technology is being used to its fullest potential for crowd counting, it could have been used more effectively for crowd control in my opinion.  Jumbotron screens helped the masses to see President Obama deliver his inaugural speech, but they gave little (and inaccurate!) directions on the day's logistics, including exit routes.  Other than the occasional banner directing ticket holders to their assigned areas or Metro users to the nearest train, there were a few logistical oversights that could have made the day go much smoother had they been included.

Fellow MWW blogger Sarah suggests increased amounts of signage indicating evacuation routes, memorable land-markers for meeting spots along with multiple "missing persons" stations for separated friends and families. A map of the Mall highlighting exit routes, refreshment stations, warming and medical aid tents certainly would have been nice!

My personal suggestion is to hand out GPS tracking units that can be programmed to locate members of your inaugural gang. But seeing as cellular service was shot from increased usership leading to total saturation of networks, I think I'm dreaming too big. Plus, it would have bumped up the inaugural price tag, already the most costly in history.

Did you attend the inauguration ceremonies?  What did you think of the planning?  What geographic solutions can you suggest to make it better?

Let us know!
-Bethany for My Wonderful World

 

As Washington D.C. braces for an estimated 4 million visitors during next week's presidential inauguration, My Wonderful World is highlighting some spaces in the city with particular significance to both Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the 19th, and the inauguration of the United State's first African-American president on the 20th.

U-Street and 14th Street.  One of my favorite memories from election night is running down 14th Street in celebration of the newly-elected president.  The intersection of U and 14th Street is layered with history for the African-American community, beginning with jazz clubs in the 1930's, followed by riots in 1968 after the assassination of MLK Jr., and finally culminating in a multicultural celebration that engulfed the streets and sidewalks in November of 2008.

The Lincoln Memorial.  In August of 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the famous "I have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington-- a civil rights demonstration for equal jobs, justice and peace.  It's quite appropriate that a free concert celebrating the inauguration of the nation's first black president will be held in the same space this Sunday.

 

Ben's Chili Bowl.  This eatery along the U-Street corridor is a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike. From providing a vital lifeline for neighborhood residents during the race riots of the 1960's (it was the only establishment in the area to stay open), to serving President-elect Obama a few days after his move to D.C., Ben's has witnessed tremendous change in its 50 year history.

 

All Souls Church: As early as 1824, anti-slavery sermons resounded from the pulpit of All Souls Church in Washington D.C.  While the location of the church has changed several times in its nearly-200 year history, the commitment of its multicultural congregation to support desegregated spaces has long defined the church's role in the D.C. community.  They are commemorating MLK this weekend with special sermons, along with hosting their own inaugural ball at their current location on Harvard Street, NW.

 

Howard University:  Founded in 1867 as a theological seminary for the education of African-American clergymen, Howard University has long been an institution defined by the promotion of scholarly excellence for students of all races, while also being a hub of black academia during the nation's heated Civil Rights era. Just three years before Dr. MLK Jr. was assassinated, President Lyndon B. Johnson outlined his plans for civil rights legislation at a graduation address.  Forty years later, Howard's marching band will perform in the 56th Inaugural Parade next Tuesday.

Many of these spaces have come "full circle" in a period of 40 years, and I'm excited to be in our nation's capitol during this historic event!  Can you think of any other places that have undergone similar changes?  And how are you celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the inauguration?  Let us know!

And remember, February is Black History Month.

-Bethany for My Wonderful World

Images courtesy of:  Vacation Ideas Guide, Wikipedia Commons, Flickr, and BeyondDc.Com

*President-elect Barack Obama has yet to show off his basketball skills to the nation at large, but with his new world ball from George Mason University, he is one step closer!  Obama was presented with a world ball during his January 8th economic address held at the university.  The ball was developed by head basketball coach Jim Larranaga (an avid supporter of geographic literacy), chair of the university geography department Dr. Alan Falconer, and National Geographic Maps.  Perhaps now the president-elect can finally show us those three-pointers!

*What's new in 2009 for Apple? They're putting geography at the center of the iPhoto application! With iPhoto Places, the pictures you take on your iPhone are automatically "georeferenced" with the location where you snapped your picture.  You can then search through your album of pictures using place terms (so a picture taken at the Statue of Liberty will be tagged with "New York" and "Statue of Liberty").  You can also use this data in iPhoto Maps, which creates a map of your journey according to the picture tags you choose.

*Do you know your state's motto?  Perhaps not, however with t-shirts and mounted prints of state mottos made from this map, you can finally learn.  This Intelligent Travel post details more about the state motto project from visual artist Emily Wick.

*The SATs are a constant source of stress for many high school students, but with a new vocab contest from Brainyflix.com, the pressure to memorize every four-syllable word in the dictionary is off.  By submitting "definition videos" for a list of words, students have the chance to win 600 dollars split between themselves and their school.
SAT HINT: Geography terms are great words to study since they often allude to their common-language counterparts.  Take the word "insular" meaning "of an island, or suggestive of the isolated condition of an island."

*Can your continent of origin affect your ability to taste? Possibly.  This article from NewScientist.com highlights the research findings of Sarah Tishkoff, a geneticist at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, who reports that Africans have greater variation in a "bitter tasting" gene, making them more sensitive tasters than Europeans or Asians. Tishkoff noted an evolutionary benefit to being a super-taster, as greater sensitivity means selecting the most nutritious food (and avoiding poisonous eats!)  Yet, it can be controversial to suggest that one continent is "better" than another as a result of genetics. Fellow MWW blogger Sarah asks a great question: Would Jared Diamond, author of Guns Germs and Steel, agree with these new findings?


~Bethany for My Wonderful World
Image courtesy of GMU Gazette

We're officially one week into 2009! So...how are those New Year's resolutions coming?

 

Each year millions of Americans and others across the globe set goals for self-improvement as the calendar transitions from December to January.
Some of the most common resolutions relate to weight loss and health, finance management and family life; check out this list of "Popular New Year's Resolutions" from the US government (some top examples below).

• Lose Weight

• Manage Debt

• Eat Right

• Get a Better Education

• Reduce Stress

• Take a Trip

• Volunteer to Help Others

Hopefully you haven't fallen off the horse just yet, but if you're finding it a little difficult to follow through on your aspirations, perhaps try adding a little "spice" to the typical ho-hum New Year's resolution. How? Geography of course!
Find a way to add a geographic "twist" to your New Year's Resolution.

For example, want to lose weight?
Explore your local community by walking, biking, jogging, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, etc. Examine different features of the built and natural environments you may not have noticed before, like dominant architectural styles or varying plant species. Your brain will be so busy taking in the sites you'll forget about how hard your body is working!

Want to save money?
Avoid tolls and gas fees by relying on public transportation whenever possible. At home, find ways to make your home more energy efficient, like turning down the heat and ensuring that windows are well insulated. Try shopping for clothing at secondhand stores--you'll likely find some great vintage garb. All these actions will save money AND protect the environment!

My own commitment to work fewer hours hasn't panned out so well, but seeing as I "do geography" for a living, I'll just chalk it up to my own "geographic twist."
Tell Us: What are some more ideas for adding geographic twists to New Year's resolutions?
Sarah for My Wonderful World

Images courtesy GreenTechnology.com, UtahOutdoors.com

Many thanks to Noreen of BrightHub.com for her kind and comprehensive review of the My Wonderful World website. BrightHub is generally known as a 'go-to' guide for technology news and consumer reports, but their "Education Hub" provides lesson plans, reviews of education sites, and forums to discuss education methodology with regards to technology.  We're excited to be a part of BrightHub's education community full of great resources!
The My Wonderful World site was also recently recommended by findingDulcinea.com, an online library resource, as being a valuable site for parents. FindingDulcinea not only "showcases the wit and personality of the web" by recommending daily websites, they alsoprovide insightful background information on breaking news headlines and highlight the best web guides for a range of topics from piano lessons to job searching.
Thanks again to BrightHub and findingDulcinea for the great reviews.  Be sure to let us know if you see My Wonderful World pop-up anywhere else!

~MWW Team

Images Courtesy of BrightHub.com and findingDulcinea.com

Many of you will recall our interview with National Geographic Fellow Enric Sala during Geography Awareness Week.  Today, we happily announce that Enric has played an influencing role in President Bush's decision to protect nearly 200,000 square miles in the western and central Pacific Ocean.

 

Enric has extensively studied the coral reefs surrounding the Line Islands, now one of three marine monuments created under Bush's protection act which also calls for preserving the Rose Atoll on American Samoa and the Mariana Islands.  Enric provided concrete reasons for the area's conservation from his research.  He is one of few people who have visited the islands and seen firsthand the direct impacts of human activity on the health of the marine ecosystems in the surrounding waters.

While this historic conservation act will restrict commercial fishing as well as oil and gas exploration, these limits will only extend 50 miles off the coast of each island, instead of the full 200 entitled to the U.S. through the UN Law of the Sea Treaty.  Enric, along with many other scientists, pointed out that these biologically rich areas aren't isolated, but interconnected with the marine environment on a larger scale-- thus a 50 mile "buffer zone" may not be enough to protect delicate ecosystems from the combined detrimental effects of human activities!
 
Despite its debated shortcomings, we applaud this historic conservation act which recognizes the intrinsic value of Earth's natural resources. If you'd like to read more, visit NPR and the Washington Post for in-depth coverage and more from Enric.  Make sure to let us know what you think of this act, which makes President Bush the leading marine conservationist in history!

~Bethany for My Wonderful World


Images courtesy of National Geographic/Zafer Kizilkaya and SeattlePi

Polls for the 2008 Weblog Awards, one of the Web's largest and most prestigious competitions, opened yesterday. We are delighted to report that one of our closest friends in the blogosphere, fellow National Geographic journal Intelligent Travel, is a finalist in the category of "Best Travel Blog." Intelligent Travel also just received accolades as one of An Island Life's Top 15 Travel Blogs.

The 2008 Weblog Awards polls close Tuesday, January 13 at 5pm, so log on today to cast your ballot for favorites in a variety of categories. And if you like Intelligent Travel as much as we do, please lend them a supportive click!

About.com's Geography expert Matt Rosenberg recently compiled a great list of the "10 Most Important Geographical Events of 2008." The list recalls Kosovo's independence last February, the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the summer, and geography's huge role in the race for the U.S. Presidency.                                                        
From the way 2009 has begun, Matt won't be scavenging for material come December.  Only 5 days into the New Year and already Israel initiated air strikes in Gaza, Washington D.C. inaugural officials created a giant map to plan for January 20th visitors, and a new U.S Embassy re-opened in Bagdad. Looks like it's going to be an exciting year!

What do you think was the most important geo-news of '08?  Any predictions for '09?  Let us know, and be sure to check out Sarah's interview with Matt, conducted during Geography Awareness Week!

~Bethany for My Wonderful World

Image courtesy of Clive Rose of Getty Images

While home for the holidays in Baltimore, I ventured to 34th Street in the Hampden neighborhood for some Christmas light-seeing.  I was tired of manicured trees and 'polite' decorations, so 34th Street was refreshing with its animated reindeer, bright lights and army of inflatable Santas.

This single block has gone Christmas-crazy for 61 years, starting with one house on the corner and spreading down the street. It has since attracted media attention, local tourists, and a slew of vendors.

Despite news coverage at the beginning of the season, this block remains one of Baltimore's best-hidden treasures.  Tucked away in an unassuming part of town and unseen from main roads, the majority of this block's popularity is spread through word-of-mouth from one Baltimorean to the next, and is very much a local creation.  Somehow the iconic and familiar faces of the holidays transform into something distinctly "Baltimore" as residents showcase their personal artwork, display Christmas memorabilia from travels abroad, or add a few pink flamingos to the holiday mix.  After strolling for a little bit, I felt a reinvigorated sense of holiday spirit, a little pride for Baltimore, and extreme gratitude for my relatively cheap electric bill. 

For the official "Miracle of 34th Street" site, check out ChristmasStreet.com and remember to brush up on your "Bawlmerese" if you're planning a visit...hon.

Be sure to let us know of the holiday traditions in your own town!
~Bethany for My Wonderful World

Image courtesy of Flickr.com