Term
Summer 2024
Capstone
Capstone Project
Degree Name
MAT
Facilitator(s)
Trish Harvey and Jana Lo Bello Miller
Content Expert
Betsy Osterhaus-Hand
Abstract
This capstone project explores geography and student curiosity, designed to answer the research question: How can teachers use geography to spark curiosity in their students? Geography has been an often overlooked and diminished subject, yet it has great potential to engage students. As student apathy and disengagement continue to be an issue within the contemporary school system, this capstone advocates for using geography as a way to spark interest in the subject, and learning altogether. The research undertaken in this capstone has yielded a unit curriculum designed for fifth grade students that weaves important geographic concepts with strategies to spark student curiosity. The twelve-lesson unit curriculum focuses on the five themes of geography: location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region. The unit culminates with student-centered presentations that give students choice and allows them to apply their understanding of these geographic concepts. The research highlights the importance of student-centered and interactive learning experiences to foster greater curiosity and motivation. This capstone contributes to existing literature and research by providing insight into how geography can be brought back into greater prominence, and does so in a way that combats student apathy. Future research can build on the foundations of this capstone to further explore the underappreciated subject of geography, as well as strategies in fostering greater student curiosity and engagement.
Project Type
Curriculum
Keywords
Teachers/ Teaching
Recommended Citation
Schmitz, Stephen, "Using Geography to Spark Curiosity in Students" (2024). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects. 1086.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_cp/1086
dc_type
text
dc_publisher
DigitalCommons@Hamline
dc_format
application/pdf
dc_source
School of Education Student Capstone Projects