Fall NEARC 2018

AUTHORS: Ann Witzig, Retired, Essex Technical High School

ABSTRACT: When have you most enjoyed an educational experience? Many students will say when it was fun, outside of the classroom, entailed lots of comradery, had relevance to their own lives, and the results were shared with others. Every summer the ESRI User Conference highlights just this type of student experience. I suggest that we expand this power of student research and GIS technology by tapping into the national student organizations already excelling in strong community relationships: Groundworks USA, FFA, NCF-Envirothon, and 4-H. In this workshop we will explore community-based service learning and highlight those organizations who have successfully integrated GIS technology into community research. We will also suggest that a strong, clearly defined and accountable partnership be created between NEARC, its volunteer Geomentors, and these student organizations. A database and map will display local student chapters of each group within the NEARC states, as well as locations of Geomentor volunteers.  It is our hope that these partners will return next year to NEARC GIS Educator Day to share their success stories. Please join us to propel GIS and student learning to greater heights through community -based student research and professional collaborations.