On the morning of November 30, 2025, our institute hosted a geography-themed science outreach event titled “Geography Time Machine: Embark on an Exploration Journey and Experience the Allure of Geography” for students from the secondary division of Jinling Middle School Xianlin Campus. Hosted by the Jiangsu Association of Surveying, Mapping and Geographic Information and the Key Laboratory of Virtual Geographic Environment of the Ministry of Education at Nanjing Normal University, the event invited students into the College of Earth Sciences. Guided by the “Geography Time Machine” theme, they embarked on a journey through a science lecture, unlocking the doors to the world of geography under expert guidance. Through examining mineral specimens, they came face-to-face with Earth's ancient history. and entered the Holographic Map Integration Laboratory to navigate the Digital Earth within a three-dimensional environment. Over the course of a morning, they completed a compact yet fulfilling journey of geographical exploration.

Digital Topography and Imagined Maps: Two Lectures Illuminate the “Geographical Time Machine”

The lecture event was hosted by Professor Yang Xin. Ms. Dai, homeroom teacher of Class 18, Grade 7 at Jinling Middle School Xianlin Campus, delivered an opening address on behalf of the school. She expressed gratitude to the School of Geography Sciences at Nanjing Normal University and encouraged students to cherish this opportunity to explore university life and delve into geography, urging them to broaden their horizons and enrich their knowledge through hands-on experience. Subsequently, Professors Tang Guoan and Wu Mingguang from the School of Geography Sciences delivered two engaging science popularization lectures with distinct themes, officially launching this “Journey Through Time.”

Professor Tang Guoan led students in exploring the question “How can terrain be represented?” through his lecture titled “Exploring Digital Terrain.” He compared various methods—including painting, text, maps, and digital techniques—with a focus on the digital elevation model (DEM), the “digital language of terrain.” This approach not only provided students with a vivid understanding of the close connection between geographical knowledge and real life but also stimulated their critical thinking and exploration through comparative analysis.

Professor Wu Mingguang, in his work Maps: Imagination and Artificial Intelligence, demonstrates how maps help humanity understand the world. In the section on artificial intelligence, he showcases various AI-generated maps and image works, vividly illustrating how AI sometimes “pretends to know what it doesn't and makes things up.” He reminds students to cultivate keen observation and critical thinking, urging them to maintain a scientific attitude while embracing new technologies.

Conversations with Minerals: Reading Earth's Stories Through Specimens

Guided by docents from the “Heart Rhythm” Volunteer Association, the students explored the mineral specimen area on the first floor of Xingyuan Building. They studied the unique colors, textures, and crystal forms of different minerals, learning about the distinct formation environments and geological processes behind each. Rocks and minerals that had previously only appeared in textbook illustrations now lay before them in tangible reality. Bending down to examine specimens and engaging in lively discussions, the students gained a more vivid and concrete understanding of Earth's 4.6-billion-year evolution through this hands-on experience.

Step into the Holographic Map Integration Lab: “Travel the World” in the Digital Earth

Guided by PhD student volunteers, the students entered the “digital Earth space” at the Holographic Map Integration Lab in Xingyuan Building—a realm constructed through multiple geographic information technologies. Here, they experienced “traveling the world without leaving home.” Concepts like digital terrain and the digital Earth, mentioned in lectures, came to life through visualization in the lab, making abstract ideas tangible.

Through the explanations and hands-on experience, the students gained an initial understanding of the extensive applications of geographic information technology in urban planning, environmental monitoring, transportation, and smart services. This provided them with a more intuitive sense of what they could achieve by mastering geography.

Epilogue

From lecture halls to exhibition areas, from specimens to laboratories, students engaged in a close encounter with the science of geography through listening, observing, questioning, and reflecting. They not only experienced the beauty of the Earth and the wonders of maps but also subtly deepened their awareness and contemplation of the natural environment and the relationship between humans and the land. Moving forward, our college will continue leveraging platforms such as the Key Laboratory of Virtual Geographic Environment under the Ministry of Education at Nanjing Normal University to organize diverse geography outreach activities. These initiatives aim to inspire more young people to discover the beauty of science and geography while broadening their horizons and igniting their curiosity to explore the world.