GIANT FLOOR MAP Media kit N For immediate release Walk the paths of Laura Secord, Tecumseh, Sir Isaac Brock and other figures in the War of 1812 on Canadian Geographic Education’s (CG Education) Giant Floor Map now visiting: ________________________[school name] in _____________________ [city/community] The 11-metre x 8-metre map features the forts, historic towns, battle sites and First Nations villages that served as the stage for the war. It offers Canadians a way to explore and discover the pivotal event in history as well as commemorate its bicentennial. Included with the map is an activity trunk filled with educational resources and learning tools to create a fun and interactive experience for students of all ages. The Giant Floor Map, the first of its kind in Canada produced by The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) with the support of Canadian Heritage, was created in an effort to promote an immersive learning environment and further encourage students to explore Canada’s history through geography. “If, as Canadians, we contend that our geography defines us,” says John Geiger, RCGS President, “then we must also allow that the War of 1812 helped to define our geography.” The RCGS and CG Education, the Society’s educational arm, are dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada. Through projects such as the War of 1812 Giant Floor Map, the RCGS and CG Education hope to foster geographic engagement in Canada’s schools and promote the flow of geographic knowledge among educators. “The Giant Floor Map is an unparalleled educational resource,” says CG Education Chair Connie Wyatt Anderson. “It presents students and teachers with a geographical perspective on the War of 1812 showing where the war was waged — both on land and on the water.” Five sets of Giant Floor Maps and activity kits are currently travelling around the country and can each be booked for a two-week period. Visit the map while you can at: ______________________ [school name] from __________ [date] to __________ [date] For more information on the Giant Floor Map, the RCGS or CG Education, contact Ellen Curtis, Educational Programs Manager, at (613) 745-4629 ext. 124. For more information on the Giant Floor Map at this school, contact: __________________________________ [Contact’s name] __________________________________ [Contact’s title at the school] __________________________________ [School name] __________________________________ [Phone number] The War of 1812 | Giant Floor Map | Media Kit | News Release for Schools GIANT FLOOR MAP Background Information Royal Canadian Geographical Society N The Royal Canadian Geographical Society was founded in 1929 with a mandate “to make | Canada better known to Canadians and to the world.” This mandate is fulfilled mainly through publication of the Society’s magazines, Canadian Geographic in English and Géographica in French, and through the Society’s geographic education programs, Speaker Series, research grants and expeditions programs. The Society is one of Canada’s largest non-profit educational organizations and is funded primarily by membership fees and generous donations. The Society’s Board of Governors and its program committees are comprised entirely of volunteers. Canadian Geographic Education Canadian Geographic Education (CG Education), the educational arm of the RCGS, is dedi- cated to fostering geographic engagement in Canada. The programs of CG Education aim to foster geographic engagement in all Canadians. In addition to increasing the emphasis on geography within the school system, CG Education endeavours to increase public awareness of the importance of geographic literacy, a necessary life skill for today’s students. Canadian Geographic Canadian Geographic magazine is unapologetic about celebrating Canada. It is dedicated to uncovering and communicating the stories about Canadian people, places, frontiers and is- sues (past and present) that Canadian magazine readers want. Owned by The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Canadian Geographic magazine is a wide-ranging geographic publication. Now recognized as Canada’s most interesting magazine, Canadian Geographic is read by 3.45 million Canadians. Today, Canadian Geographic is published six times a year and is comple- mented by Canadian Geographic Travel, published four times per year, Géographica, its French- language counterpart, and a growing number of special interest publications, such as “Best Wild Weather Pictures 2012”. FOSTERING GEOGRAPHIC ENGAGEMENT VALORISER L’APPRENTISSAGE DE LA GÉOGRAPHIE © 2012. The Royal Canadian Geographical Society The War of 1812 | Giant Floor Map | Media Kit | Background Information GIANT FLOOR MAP Tips for drawing media attention 1 Organize a family night N Invite students’ families to the school and host an event centered on the Giant Floor Map. Delve into the activity kit, play games and explore the map together. 2. Engage your local officials/government Invite your local officials/government to visit your school and either take part in Giant Floor Map-related activities or watch the students as they explore the map. This is a great opportu- nity for your local representative to visit a school in his/her area and to get acquainted with teachers and students. 3. Invite your local newspaper/TV station/radio station Local media outlets are always looking for stories that bring together the community. Invite your local newspaper, or any other media outlet, to the school to watch students interact with the Giant Floor Map. 4. Host a debate, invite a re-enactor or perform a play Use the Giant Floor Map as an incentive to creatively explore the War of 1812. Invite the whole school to attend, as well as family and friends. The War of 1812 | Giant Floor Map | Media Kit | Tips For Drawing Media Attention.