Let's Explore Geography
in Minnesota
About the Event
The AMI-EAA Summer Conference 2026 invites Montessori educators to explore Geography: A Study of People and Places in the beautiful Land of 10,000 Lakes!
Join us in Minnesota for a week of deep exploration into geography across the Montessori curriculum — from maps and the Mississippi River to the rich cultural and natural landscape of the Twin Cities region.
This conference will feature hands-on exploration, presentations, and the opportunity to experience Minnesota's geography firsthand through local excursions and activities.
Conference Highlights
Maps, Maps, Maps!
Dive deep into cartography and map-making across the Montessori curriculum — exploring how geography connects children to the world.
Mississippi River
Experience the mighty Mississippi firsthand — including paddle share kayaking on the river right in the Twin Cities metro area.
Sculpture Garden
Visit Minneapolis' iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture — where art, nature, and city life come together.
Cave Tour & Dancing
Evening adventure option — learn to swing dance in a cave or take a tour!
Can Can Wonderland
Imagine Willy Wonka's chocolate factory designed by Dr. Seuss — an indoor arcade and maker space full of madcap creativity.
Japanese Garden
Visit the Ordway Japanese Garden — a gift from Nagasaki, Japan, St. Paul's sister city since 1955.
Featured Presenters
Justine Megee
Mapping
In this presentation, we'll wander (with purpose) through the world of maps, GIS, statistics, and the stories that help children make sense of the world. We'll dig into background information, compelling tales, lesson ideas, and follow-up work that guides can offer children ages 6–12, appealing to their curious and hilarious second-plane minds. The session balances adult-level understanding with child-centered, hands-on work — because learning happens best when minds, hands, and feet are all involved.
We'll explore the history of cartography and exploration through a thoughtful lens that considers how colonization has shaped (and continues to shape) the world, along with map-making elements, early statistics, GIS concepts, and literature that invites rich oral reading.
About the Presenter
Justine Megee holds AMI diplomas in both Primary and Elementary and has happily called Metro East Montessori School in Granite City, Illinois home for the past 15 years — serving as assistant, elementary guide, business administrator, and now Head of School. She holds a B.S. in Geography with a concentration in computer mapping and geospatial analysis, as well as a Master's in Education. Justine is the founder of the Montessori Elementary Collective, dedicated to providing materials, support, and workshops for elementary guides — always free of charge.
Gina Applegate
What's the Gist? Report Writing Without Copying
In this presentation, we will explore the skills children need to write reports without copying — starting with paraphrasing, an essential reading comprehension skill. Beginning with practice finding the gist of stories during read aloud time and at the end of a lesson, children practice paraphrasing through oral language before diving into writing.
We will examine ways to support students from the emerging reader at the basic sentence level through upper elementary students writing multi-paragraph research reports — building the skills needed to write independently. Independent research is a core component of Cosmic Education and caters to the psychological characteristics of the second-plane child through collaboration and the excitement that comes from choosing one's own work.
About the Presenter
Gina Applegate has spent the past two decades working in AMI schools in the Austin, Texas area as a classroom assistant, lower and upper elementary guide, and administrator. She currently serves as Director of Inclusion at Austin Montessori School and is an elementary consultant for AMI/USA. Gina holds an undergraduate degree in film and a master's degree in education. She is a Fellow-in-Training with the Orton-Gillingham Academy and is passionate about creating opportunities for students with dyslexia and executive functioning challenges to thrive in Montessori environments.
Dr. Desha Brown
Mapping the World Through Dance
We will explore how geography shapes culture through movement. Participants will experience dance traditions from different regions of the world, try simple dance-inspired motions, and create their own geography-themed movement sequences that bring cultural landscapes to life.
Through movement stations, creative collaboration, and reflection, participants discover how landscapes, history, and traditions influence the way people express themselves through dance. This lesson aligns with Cosmic Education — helping students see themselves as interconnected with the wider world and appreciating global diversity while recognizing shared humanity.
About the Presenter
Dr. Brown has over 20 years of experience in education, blending expertise in Montessori philosophy, curriculum design, and instructional leadership with a strong foundation in the arts. She holds a Montessori Elementary Directress diploma, a master's in Adult Education, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership. Dr. Brown currently teaches a 6–9 Montessori class in Dallas, Texas. A former dance instructor and lifelong artist, she integrates creativity, movement, and whole-child development into her teaching.
Lynda Harrington
Economic Geography: Trade, Interdependence, and Human History
From the earliest trading routes of the ancient world to the global networks that connect us today, this session explores economic geography through a Montessori lens. Participants will dive into theory and purpose, trace the history of trade across human history, and examine how production, consumption, imports, and exports can unfold in the classroom.
The session also offers practical follow-up work and a thoughtful approach to perspective: centering stories from across the globe, examining whose voices are often left out, and addressing the difficult histories of enslaved labor, colonialism, and extraction with care. Throughout, the Montessori principle of interdependence remains central.
About the Presenter
Lynda Harrington is a dedicated Montessori educator with nearly 25 years of experience across the 6–9, 9–12, and 6–12 age levels. She earned her Montessori certification from the Montessori Institute of San Diego in 2002 and holds an undergraduate degree in English from the University of Washington. Lynda currently teaches lower elementary at Three Tree Montessori School in the Seattle area and also serves as a Montessori coach, supporting fellow educators in deepening their practice.
Krystal Kuehl
How to Make a Carrot Flute: Unlock the Musical Potential of Produce!
Ever wondered if you could play your food? Join Krystal to transform an unsuspecting carrot into a working, melodic wind instrument. This workshop blends basic, hands-on engineering with acoustic science, resulting in a unique and edible craft.
- • Acoustic Principles: Discover how air vibration, tube length, and finger hole size determine pitch.
- • Tool Handling: Safely use a hand drill and carving tools to manipulate raw root vegetables.
- • Instrument Construction: Master the technique of creating a "windway" and "fipple" (the mouthpiece) to produce sound.
- • Tuning Basics: Experiment with hole placement to create different musical notes.
By the end of the class, you'll have a working, custom-made carrot flute — and the knowledge to turn other veggies into instruments!
Conference Flyer
More Information
Website: ami-eaa.org/events/
Email: events@ami-eaa.org