Geography
The Nebraska Department of Education shares these resources to help educators explore learning opportunities and classroom connections. Inclusion on this page does not constitute an endorsement of any organization, website, product, service, or viewpoint. Curriculum and resource decisions are made locally, and only district-approved materials should be used with students.
Maps, Cartography & Mapping Skills
- Mercator Law Guidance: Nebraska Revised Statute 79-734.02 outlines requirements for the use of map projections in K-12 public school classrooms. For more information about Mercator projection maps, please see the Legislative Research Office Snapshot.
- Bing Maps Driving Directions: Map multiple locations, get transit/walking/driving directions, view live traffic conditions, plan trips, view satellite, aerial and street side imagery.
- Mapquest: Official MapQuest website, find driving directions, maps, live traffic updates and road conditions. Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. Explore!
- National Geospatial Program: As one of the cornerstones of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Geospatial Program, The National Map is a collaborative effort among the USGS and other Federal, State, and local partners to improve and deliver topographic information for the Nation.
- TopoZone: TopoZone.com launched late in 1999 with the goal of being the best source online for USGS-based topographic maps.
- World Geography, Cartography and Mapping Skills for Transportation: a selection of resources to help build geography knowledge and test mapping skills. Be sure to view the cartographic collections of old maps to see how things have changed over the years.
Global Studies & World Regions
- Asia Society: The Center for Global Education offers a wealth of resources to educators with professional development opportunities, training and consulting services, and online resources.
- Japan Forum: To promote encounter with unfamiliar languages and cultures that generates dialogue with people of diverse backgrounds and opens up the world for children and young people.
- K-12 Electronic Guide for African Resources on the Internet: The aim of this guide is to assist K-12 teachers, librarians, and students in locating on-line resources on Africa that can be used in the classroom, for research and studies.
- Reach the World: Reach the World transforms the energy of travelers into a learning resource for K-12 classrooms, using the web, messaging and video conferencing to connect youth with educators, travelers and volunteers in one-on-one global, virtual exchanges.
- U.S. State Department: The U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity.
Geospatial Technology & Data
- GeoInquiries: GeoInquiries™ are short, standards-based inquiry activities for teaching map-based content found in commonly used textbooks. Each activity is designed using a common inquiry model and can be presented quickly from a single computer and projector or modified for students’ hands-on engagement. Collections of 15-20 activities per topic enhance your curriculum throughout the year.
- United States Geological Survey: USGS is the sole science agency for the Department of the Interior with natural science expertise and vast earth and biological data holdings.
- U.S. Census Bureau: The Census Bureau’s mission is to serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy.
Virtual Exploration & Geography Games
- 50 States: Click the state for quick access to a variety of state specific facts and other useful information.
- Expedia Virtual Tours Activities: Facilitate active and engaged learning through kid-friendly virtual tours, hands-on activities, and crafty projects.
- Geography Games: Sheppard Software’s geography games help gain a mental map of the world’s continents, countries, capitals, & landscapes!
- Ocean Geography: Worldwide ocean geography facts
Updated
August 6, 2026 9:47pm
