The National Geography Standards

The National Geography Standards for this program include standards 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14. You may read in-depth descriptions of specific standards by clicking on the links below. All of the standards are available here.

Standard 1: How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective.

Standard 2: How to use mental maps to organize information about people, places and environments in a spatial context.

Standard 7: The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.

Standard 8: The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth's surface.

Standard 13: How the forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of Earth's surface.

Standard 14: How human actions modify the physical environment.

From space, concepts like latitude and longitude are almost meaningless. In the first program, Lost in Space? Geography Training for Astronauts, space shuttle mission members must develop good mental maps and learn to distinguish major geographic features such as Lake Chad or the Nile River Delta. This program also addresses concepts such as "scale," the use of GIS and remote sensing technology, and the distribution of population across the Earth's surface. Regarding the latter, the point is made that populations are concentrated in a relatively small area of available land, and that humans have a great impact on the environment of these precious oases on a planet comprised of two-thirds water.

The program, Globalization and Revolt, explores the forces that help unify and divide the peoples of the world, and addresses the varied cultural mosaic across and within the world's regions.