Tomah Journal - Printable Version

Story originally printed in the Tomah Journal or online at www.tomahjournal.com

Published - Sunday, May 04, 2008

Giant National Geographic map helps St. Paul students learn about Africa

By Paul Medinger

Students at St. Paul Lutheran School got to explore Africa on Monday, and they didn’t have to travel any farther than the school gymnasium.

The world’s largest map of the continent spent the day at the school, and the students got to explore and learn about its geography. The map, which weighs 102 pounds and measures 35 feet by 26 feet, was first featured as a pull-out in a 2005 issue of National Geographic Magazine. It is designed as a geographic game board to introduce students to the physical characteristics of the continent, as well as its history and culture.

“We wanted to teach the kids some fun geography,” St. Paul School Principal Richard Bakken said. “The kids really love it.”

The map visits a different school in Wisconsin every day during the month of April. The map is owned by the National Geographic Society. Paul Schoenike, who spent most of his 37 years as a teacher in Monroe before retiring, brought the map to St. Paul School and shared some geographical and historical information about the continent with the students. Schoenike is with the Wisconsin Geographic Alliance, and said that he enjoys sharing his love for geography with others.

“I love geography,” Schoenike said. “My favorite part is the kids, and to see them light up when they see the map. Some kids learn better with tactile learning, when they can actually see and touch and have a hands-on experience.”

Dave Steinert, also a retired teacher and a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, helped bring Schoenike to Tomah. Steinert and Schoenike were friends in college, and Steinert thought that bringing the map to St. Paul School would be a fun educational experience for the students.

“I told (Schoenike) that you need to come to us,” Steinert said. “The kids really enjoy it, and they like the idea of actually walking around the map.”