RIGEA BLOG

Amazing YouTube Lechuguilla Cave in Hi Def

2009-10-21T21:14:00.002-04:00

Take a journey into the amazing world of the Lechuguilla cave in New Mexico.(Be sure to click the HD button on the YouTube screen.) Just another reason to get that wide-screen monitor!

GPS workshop

2009-04-11T12:51:00.001-04:00

Thanks to all who attended the GPS workshop on April 6. It was great to see all of the Earth Science people. Please keep in touch and let us know what you're doing. Here's a picture of some impromptu scat analysis (might be a good name for a band).

GPS links for fun and/or classroom use!

2009-04-03T23:03:00.002-04:00

Here are a number of sites that can have you grabbing that GPS and heading out the door this spring!
The first site is a series of intriguing links courtesy of the state of California.
The second link gives a bunch of neat ideas to use the GPS to inspire kids to do cross curriculum work to lead them to a "treasure".
A third link is a real bonanza for teachers. It is the Mecca for educational applications for the GPS. Check out EarthCacheing!
For a plethora of local sites try this site by team FISUR

Google Earth layers source

2009-03-13T23:48:00.001-04:00

To add topo maps and other overlays to your Google Earth places, you can visit many sites that let you save their images. One of the best is Maptech.

New York Times Immigration Map

2009-03-13T23:43:00.001-04:00

Here's a fascinating way to make the census data come alive. The New York Times has an interactive map showing the rate and distribution of immigrants to the U.S. Check it out.

Change your life and save the planet with Earthwatch!

2009-02-22T13:50:00.003-05:00

Want to measure a piranha? Bait a bat? Count dolphins? Track a butterfly? Have the experience of a lifetime? Just ask RIGEA members Helen Johnson, Matt Hodge, M.J. Munroe, and Jodi Mangiaretti (did I forget anyone?). They've all gone on Earthwatch expeditions. Find out how by clicking here.

At long last, links.

2009-02-22T13:37:00.002-05:00

So Spring is on the way, and I'm actually posting some long-ago promised links. I hope that we still have the occasional reader!.
For really cool near-real-time satellite imagery, click here for EarthNow.
Want to start using GPS with your students? For information on the wide world of EarthCaching, including classroom activities, click here.

Recipe Contest Entry - Pico de Gallo

2008-09-30T17:28:00.003-04:00

Via Helen Johnson

Pico de Gallo

This recipe is adapted from a Mark Bittman recipe. We love it with chips instead of bottled salsa. You can make it mild or hotter depending on your addition of jalapeños.

“Pico de gallo (Spanish for "rooster's beak") is the term generally referring to a fresh condiment made from chopped tomato, onion, and chiles (typically jalapeños or serranos), or salsa mexicana, because the colors red (tomato), white (onion), and green (chile) are the colors of the Mexican flag” ---- Wikipedia information

(Makes 2 cups)

2 cups cored, seeded, and coarsely chopped tomatoes
1 cup minced, chopped scallions (or chopped sweet onion)
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 stemmed, minced jalapeños or cayenne pepper to taste
1/2 cup minced cilantro leaves (I use fresh parsley.)

Combine the first six ingredients, then add more salt, pepper to taste. Stir in about half the cilantro, then set aside for 1 hour, or cover and refrigerate for up to a day.

Taste and adjust seasoning, garnish with remaining cilantro, and serve.

Variations

· Add a cup of corn, a peach or chop up a mango (our favorite)

Serving suggestions

With chips or fajitas or chopped green peppers.
Atop grilled fish, beef, or chicken

Cool panoramic image archive

2008-09-28T20:41:00.004-04:00

See some great panoramas from around the country at this site! For instance, here's one of Providence .

Expanded Office Hours

2008-09-25T22:26:00.001-04:00

Via Ellen,

Office hours at RIGEA for the fall are:

Tuesdays 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Fridays 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Geography Action "Mapping the Americas" toolkits may be picked up during these hours.
Take advantage of these free resources!

Mapping the Americas Recipe Contest

2008-09-15T19:21:00.007-04:00

RIGEA is sponsoring a fun contest this fall - a "Mapping the Americas" Recipe Contest to coordinate with the Geography Action theme this year. Please see the RIGEA website home page for all the rules!

We will try to post recipe contest photos on this blog as they come in - here is one to get us started - Canadian Molasses Cookies from Prince Edward Island !

Georgia map resources

2008-09-15T12:56:00.002-04:00

Check out the Perry-Castaneda resources on Georgia. It even includes news maps that show where the fighting has taken place. Make this site a permanent member of your bookmark team!

Cool link of the day

2008-09-12T23:16:00.000-04:00

Here's a site that you could get lost in. Historical aerial photos that you can compare with a sliding tool. Try it out!

Be a contributor

2008-09-10T12:49:00.001-04:00

Hey all! If you'd like to post to this blog, instead of just leaving a comment, email Matt Hodge at mattrigeo@verizon.net to be added to te permissions page. I hope that we can inspire you to check us out on a daily basis. Here's a cool link to check out for today. It's graphic, and historical, though not 100% geographical.
Visualizations

Welcome to RIGEA blog.

2008-08-24T21:10:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the RIGEA blog. Tell us how you are including geography content in your classroom. How are you beginning this new school year? some great news - Cathy Pleau is now Assistant Principal at Gallagher Middle School - congratulations, Cathy!