site.btaSofia University's Zhelev: Tech Puts Geography on the Map

New technologies are making geography increasingly engaging for school students, Dimitar Zhelev of Sofia University’s Faculty of Geology and Geography said Saturday, as the tenth Bulgarian Geography Festival opened in Varna, on the Black Sea. Zhelev is among the organizers of the festival, which is hosted by Varna's First Language School.

Textbooks are not dull, but making the subject truly engaging depends chiefly on teachers, Zhelev pointed out. Poorly prepared educators can easily put pupils off, he warned. Geography today bears little resemblance to lessons taught two decades ago, he added, noting that the discipline is now highly analytical and calls on pupils to think and draw connections rather than memorise facts. Children enjoy working with GIS data, analysing satellite imagery and dynamic datasets, Zhelev explained, stressing that teachers must be sufficiently qualified to guide them.

Speaking about the festival in Varna, he said the forum unites the geographical community in all its dimensions – pupils, teachers, students, researchers, university lecturers, entrepreneurs and NGO representatives. Nearly 20 events, including exhibitions, presentations, contests and competitions, are packed into the two-day schedule, Zhelev added, and the main aim is to present geography positively so young people see the value in studying it.

This year’s edition is organised by Varna Municipality, Sofia University’s Faculty of Geology and Geography and Geograf BG. More than 500 participants from across the country are expected. The forum marks the centenary of geography as a degree course at Sofia University.