The new digital FOCUS on Geography continues in the tradition of the original paper magazine, but in a more dynamic and interactive format. The new FOCUS is a peer-reviewed digital publication that will publish your contributions as they are ready beginning with the first articles of Volume 59 (2016). Each feature article and photo essay will be issued a Digital Object Identifier (DOI), and all elements of the new journal will be archived. In addition, all elements of digital FOCUS on Geography will initially be Open Access. We believe this format will better serve the needs of our affiliates, subscribers, and the geographically passionate public.

To begin, the journal will have three distinct features: feature articles, photo essays, and geo-quizzes. For all issues pertaining to the publication of FOCUS on Geography the editors can be contacted at focus@americangeo.org.

To submit an entry to be put up as a featured article or a photo essay, please navigate to FOCUS by clicking here or on the logo above and scroll to the bottom of the homepage to review submission details.

Make sure to take the GeoQuiz today and challenge your friends and family over Twitter, Facebook and email to beat your score!

Do you want the kids in your community to learn geography, creativity, strategic thinking, good sportsmanship and communications skills simply by having fun? Well, with GeoPlunge® you can do that, in your home, your school and your community.  And now, the AGS is collaborating with LearningPlunge Inc., the Washington, DC based educational non-profit behind the GeoPlunge game and tournaments to take it national. And, we want you to be a part!  First, watch this short video about GeoPlunge.

GeoPlunge® offers a great way to help children learn about United States' geography while simply having fun. It is a game for all ages, from first graders to senior citizens. In fact, one of the best things about GeoPlunge® is that adults often like playing it every bit as much as the kids. But in its most simple formulation, GeoPlunge® teaches children from the first grade on up communication skills, creativity, strategic thinking and sportsmanship, while they become masters of the geographical knowledge they need to succeed in social studies and to be better citizens. GeoPlunge games are easy to learn and can be played at home, in school, or at one of the tournaments.

Alan Fishel, the inventor of GeoPlunge®, said "We are so excited about collaborating with The American Geographical Society. We have spent the last decade watching GeoPlunge grow locally, with feedback from parents, students, teachers and administrators that the game should be national.  We have heard countless stories that it has transformed children that never thought they were smart enough for academic competitions, giving them confidence, strategic critical thinking skills, and teaching them about sportsmanship and teamwork. Best of all, children of all ages and their parents learn a great deal about our country without even realizing it because they are having so much fun. We look forward to working with AGS to expand our reach and expose people throughout the country to GeoPlunge®.”

Today, the American Geographical Society, in collaboration with LearningPlunge  Inc., is opening a National Call for Participation to bring GeoPlunge® to schools nation-wide, and to establish citywide and regional tournaments just like that which has hosted thousands of enthusiastic kids in Washington DC over the past decade.
 
Kids can learn the game in minutes, and become fluent (and even frighteningly good!) at it in a matter of weeks.  This is why the American Geographical Society and LearningPlunge  Inc. are confident that with your engagement, we together can bring GeoPlunge® to schools nation-wide.  You can not only help the establishment of GeoPlunge® teams in your schools, but also help establish citywide and regional tournaments, to be held on November 15th 2016, just like that which has engaged thousands of enthusiastic kids in Washington DC over the past decade. 
 
Tournament locations will be determined based on the energy and interest of those of you who respond to this National Call for Participation by emailing us at GeoPlunge@americangeo.org.  We will get back to you soon with instructions on how to organize a team and a tournament.  Please include your a) city, b) state, c) school, d) the grade level (Grade 1-8) you seek to organize, and e) a phone number where we can reach you.
 
GeoPlunge® is designed to resonate with all kinds of learners, from the most attentive kid in class to the students who struggle to pay attention, and offers an onramp to lifelong learning through fun.  Become a part of this movement today, and help us bring GeoPlunge® to every community in America!  And, along the way, contestants, coaches, and champions can claim their GeoPlunge® GeoBadges.

As of this month, the American Geographical Society (AGS) is proud to welcome Dr. Michael Steinberg as our newest editor of FOCUS on Geography. Dr. Steinberg has published in the Geographical Review and FOCUS as well as myriad other publications including The Professional Geographer and Conservation and Society. In addition, he has published a number of books on wildlife and wildlife landscapes such as Stalking the Ghost Bird: The Elusive Ivory-Billed Woodpecker in Louisiana.

Dr. Steinberg has taught geography and environmental studies courses at Prescott College, the University of Alabama, the University of Hawaii, and the University of Southern Maine. His research interests include wildlife conservation, cultural and political ecology, and conservation mapping.

When asked about his new role as editor to FOCUS, Dr. Steinberg stated, "I am honored to be the new editor of Focus for several reasons. First, the new digital Focus provides a unique and creative publishing outlet for geographers. Given the rising costs of print publications, fewer and fewer articles feature photographs. While understandable from a financial perspective, photographs are critical forms of communication and education for a field-based discipline such as geography. Without photographs, we are only telling part of the story. And second, one of my first publications as a graduate student was in the print Focus back in 1997. I have also published several articles in the Geographical Review. I have a deep appreciation for the AGS, and the opportunities it has provided to further my career through its publications. As editor, I hope to provide similar opportunities to other scholars."

Check out the new digital FOCUS on Geography by clicking Here!

The American Geographical Society (AGS) is accepting applications for its Fall 2016 Scholar Internship Program at its headquarters in Brooklyn Heights, New York. We are seeking undergraduate and graduate students from accredited colleges and universities who have maintained a grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. GIS and HTML coding experience are desirable skills.
 

The responsibilities of a Scholar-Intern include:http://americangeo.org/

1. Journalism/Communications
2. Social Media Management
3. Database upkeep 
 

To learn more about what each scholar internship position entails and to apply to become an AGS Scholar Intern, Click Here!