Talking About Geography

We have formed MAGELLAN as a way to encourage geographers of all kinds to talk with their representatives about the importance of geographic education, and to help ensure that those conversations are productive in terms of their timing relative to the legislative process.

This blog, therefore, will not provide a lot of detail about why geography matters -- we assume most people here are already in the proverbial "choir" and do not need further convincing. Nor will MAGELLAN attempt to coordinate messaging -- if legislators are moved to support our efforts, it will be because they have heard something from the hearts and minds and experiences of their own constituents. 

We are not, however, alone in this endeavor. This post will include links to some resources that might help us as we think about making the case for advancing geography education. 

One such resource is Geography for Life, the national standards for geography education. This second ediction was jointly published in 2012 by National Geographic, the National Council for Geographic Education, and the American Association of Geographers. The introduction includes a photograph taken by a Bridgwater State alumna (and current instructor) at the request of National Geographic. It shows our EarthView globe on display IN THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE. We have been at this work for some while! 

Another important resource is Empowering Geographers: Elevate the Discipline, a project and network of the American Association of Geographers. It begins with the very good question :Why Geographers?" and promotes the scientific, societal, and vocational advantages of a geographic perspective. 

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Walz discussed the value of geography in general and GIS in particular in We're All on the Map at the ESRI User Conference just a month before being nominated to run for vice president. This half-hour talk is a good source of inspiration and examples of the application of geographic literacy. It is also a reminder that our advocacy efforts are not partisan.

Join MAGELLAN

MAGELLAN is a networking tool that is open to all friends of geography in Massachusetts. We are most actively seeking faculty, students, alumni, and professionals, but all are welcome to join. 

If you would like to be part of the effort to promote geography through the legislative process, please read the other blog posts for background and then complete the MAGELLAN Contact Form. We will use this information to identify and activate friends of geography in as many legislative districts as possible.

We will not publish individual information, but we will be post identify which districts have network members as we attempt to fill in the map and cover all 40 senatorial and 160 representative districts.

H.706

Representative Todd Smola of Palmer and Senator Joanne Comerford of Amherst have introduced H.706: An Act Relative to Geography Education to the current session of the legislature, which is formally known as the 194th General Court.

This bill is similar to those filed with other sponsors in the past several sessions. Each had multiple cosponsors and most were reported favorably by the Joint Committee on Education but did not clear subsequent hurdles in the process. 

We are hoping to see the current bill reported favorably, voted upon, and signed by Governor Healey. We are also preparing to file a bill again in the 195th General Court when it convenes in January 2027. Doing so with a far larger number of sponsors would give such an effort more momentum and a better chance of success, which is why we have launched MAGELLAN so that more legislators can be encouraged by the geographers in their districts.

Who Is Your Legislator?

Democracy is not just about election day. It can take many forms, one of which is staying in touch with elected representatives to let them know what is important to us. Despite common conceptions, we have found that legislators in Massachusetts really are curious about what their constituents want to see from state government.

We will have more to say in this space as our efforts continue, but all of these conversations begin with finding out who represents us on Beacon Hill. The Find My Legislator page is a map-based tool that allows every Massachusetts resident quickly to identify which of the 160 Representatives and  40 Senators represents them. 

All bills are reviewed by committees before advancing to a vote of the entire body and ultimately to the governor. Legislators are typically very open to hearing from their own constituents on any matter and from constituents throughout the state on matters coming before the committees on which they sit -- especially those committees that they chair.

For this reason, it is helpful for MAGELLAN advocates to learn membership of the Joint Committee on Education. We are also hoping to identify geographers (faculty/student/alumni/professional) who reside in the districts represented by these committee members.

MAGELLAN Launch

 MAGELLAN is the Massachusetts Geographic Learning Action Network. 

It was organized in the Massachusetts State House on March 16, 2026 with the goal of advancing geography in Massachusetts public education, both in the K-12 curriculum and in the preparation and licensure of the Commonwealth's educators.

Geography advocates in the Legislature have invited 
BSU EarthView to the State House on a number of 
occasions since 2008.

The primary purpose of this network is to coordinate advocacy for legislation pending in the Massachusetts Legislature that would create an expert panel to investigate the status of geographic education in the Commonwealth and to make recommendations on the basis of that study.

A bill to this effect is currently under consideration by the Joint Committee on Education. It is similar to bills that have been treated favorably by this committee in several previous sessions but that have failed to reach a final vote.

The effort to bring the expert voices of geographers to bear is being launched by Dr. Bob Amey and Dr. James Hayes-Bohanan at Bridgewater State University. Additional blog posts will provide more details on the legislation, the process, and the network.