IN THIS ISSUE

Econ-Exchange is a joint publication of the E. Angus Powell Endowement and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

Each issue of Econ-Exchange features an essay on a unique aspect of economics followed by three practical lesson plans. In this issue, Mark Schug gets us started by discussing how economics can strengthen the teaching of geography. Then three experienced classroom teachers share valuable hands-on lesson plans that have proven to be effective in the classroom.

Beverly Ruthven shows how students can learn about exports and imports while working with maps and countries. Michael Brost's lesson analyzes interdependence as students research companies that import parts to produce a final product. Margaret Ray uses an active learning exercise to demonstrate the connection among resources, food production, and the quality of life in a geographic region.

As is often the case, the issues discussed by our authors are complex and controversial. People who study economic growth, poverty, and related matters often differ from one another in their descriptions and explanations of the underlying problems. Some of this diversity can be observed in our authors' contributions to this issue on economics and geography. We hope the mix of ideas will stimulate thought among our readers.

We hope you enjoy Econ-Exchange. We welcome your response; please send us your ideas and tell us about your economics lessons. Understanding how incentives work, the Powell Endowment may even pay you for your contribution.