The Geographic Society of Chicago

Archives: Events

  • GeoTrivia at Paddy Mac’s

    Bring your team (up to 6 players per group) and put your geographic knowledge to the test against local geoscientists and fellow trivia enthusiasts.

    Whether you’re a map lover, a globe-trotter, or just in it for the fun, this is a great chance to enjoy a night out with the GSC community.

    Clear your schedule and prepare to connect with fellow trivia enthusiasts while celebrating your passion for geography!

    For more information about this event, contact GSC board member Derek Barthel at derek.barthel@gmail.com.

    REGISTER HERE

  • Mappy Hour: Explorer Snapshots

    Mappy Hour is a new event series that brings together adventurers, nature lovers, and curious minds for inspiration, connection, and fun!

    Our next Mappy Hour event is in collaboration with the Midwest Hub of National Geographic Explorers. National Geographic awards grants to fund individuals, called Explorers, working on projects in science, conservation, storytelling, education, and technology that align with one or more of our focus areas.

    Come out to Avondale Tap to meet these Explorers, hear their stories, and learn about becoming one yourself!

    RSVP encouraged. Space may be limited, so please register in advance to save your spot.

    RSVP here

  • Virtual Workshop: Teaching with Living Atlas

    2026 VIRTUAL WORKSHOP #3: Teaching with Living Atlas

    Location: Zoom (Link will be emailed one day prior to the workshop.)

    Overview: ESRI’s Living Atlas of the World contains online maps, apps, and data layers that you and your students can use for free and without a log-in. A collaboration between Illinois Geographic Alliance and Geographic Society of Chicago, this virtual workshop introduces Esri’s Living Atlas and the variety of online maps and geospatial resources you can use in your geography, social science, and environmental science courses. Learn how to access the ready-to-use resources in Living Atlas. Discover the variety of maps that you can use to enhance your instruction, such as real-time data, remotely-sensed images, iNaturalist, and basemaps. Find historic maps, census data, USGS maps, World Imagery Wayback maps, and more that can teach map reading skills, foster discussions, and develop critical thinking as your students analyze the maps. This workshop will also provide opportunities to discuss map connections and teaching activities with other educators to enhance your curriculum.

    Facilitator: John Kostelnick (Professor of Geography at Illinois State University) and Judy Bock (Geography and GIS education consultant and retired middle school teacher)

    Registration: Please register by Monday, June 29, 2026. Space is limited. (Note: Please check that your email address is correct when completing the online registration form. A registration confirmation will be emailed to you immediately after you successfully submit your online registration form. In addition, you will receive the workshop Zoom link by email one day prior to the workshop.)

    Stipend: $50 (Note: This stipend is only available to IGA members that are residents of Illinois. To become a member of the IGA, simply fill out our membership form. There is no cost to become a member.

    PD Hours: 3.25 (Note: PD hours, formerly referred to as CPDUs, are only available to GSC members that teach in Illinois, provide a valid Illinois Educator Identification Number – IEIN, and participate in the entire workshop. To become a member, simply fill out our membership form. There is no cost to become a member.)

    REGISTER ON EVENTBRITE

  • Virtual Workshop: Mapping for Your Curriculum: MapMaker, GeoInquiries, and Other Pre-Designed Lessons

    2026 VIRTUAL WORKSHOP #2: Mapping for Your Curriculum: MapMaker, GeoInquiries, and Other Pre-Designed Lessons

    Location: Zoom (Link will be emailed one day prior to the workshop.)

    Overview: A collaboration between Illinois Geographic Alliance and Geographic Society of Chicago, this virtual workshop will introduce participants to easy-to-use, pre-designed lessons that incorporate online mapping suitable for the classroom. The workshop will introduce National Geographic’s MapMaker, an easy-to-use, online website that can be used by students and teachers to create online maps for a variety of topics, along with ESRI’s GeoInquiries that are pre-designed lessons that utilize MapMaker for a range of subjects. Unlike ArcGIS Online, MapMaker and GeoInquiries do not require online student accounts! Participants will learn the basics of MapMaker through hands-on exercises while also exploring GeoInquiries and other collections to learn how to incorporate mapping into their teaching.

    Facilitator: John Kostelnick (Professor of Geography at Illinois State University) and Judy Bock (Geography and GIS education consultant and retired middle school teacher)

    Registration: Please register by Sunday, June 28, 2026. Space is limited. (Note: Please check that your email address is correct when completing the online registration form. A registration confirmation will be emailed to you immediately after you successfully submit your online registration form. In addition, you will receive the workshop Zoom link by email one day prior to the workshop.)

    Stipend: $100 (Note: This stipend is only available to IGA members that are residents of Illinois. To become a member of the IGA, simply fill out our membership form. There is no cost to become a member.

    PD Hours: 5.25 (Note: PD hours, formerly referred to as CPDUs, are only available to GSC members that teach in Illinois, provide a valid Illinois Educator Identification Number – IEIN, and participate in the entire workshop. To become a member, simply fill out our membership form. There is no cost to become a member.)

    REGISTER ON EVENTBRITE