The Maryland Geographic Alliance (MGA) is a partnership of professional geographers and educators working to promote and enhance geographic education in grades K-16 in Maryland.  Since 1989, MGA has received funding from the state of Maryland and the National Geographic Society.

Professional development is a major goal of the MGA. Over the past seventeen years, more than 14,000 teachers in Maryland have participated in Maryland Geographic Alliance programs including workshops, summer institutes and mini courses.  Our programs emphasize geography content and incorporate hands-on activities.

The Geographic Alliance collaborates with a number of other state social studies education programs.  It is a co-sponsor of the Fall Conference of the Maryland Council for the Social Studies.  MGA collaborates with the Maryland Council for Economic Education and Maryland Ag in the Classroom.  MGA, jointly sponsored with the Sultana Projects, a series of lessons plans and workshops for teachers focusing on the 400 Anniversary of John Smith’s exploration of the Chesapeake Bay.

MGA also supports the Black SAGA Competition, a program for elementary and middle school students focusing on the history and geography of the African American experience.

Another goal of the MGA is the development of classroom materials to help educators in geographic instruction.  Materials align with Maryland’s Voluntary State Curriculum. MGA has recently produced a digital atlas of Maryland and is currently completing a series of lessons on the Port of Baltimore.  Examples of MGA hands-on activities and products are found on this website under specific grade levels.

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