Fun with GIS 341: Nick Okafor, Vision Builder

[CharlieFitzpatrick]

In his activities with young people, Nick Okafor, the founder of trubel&co, models the nature and power of GIS. In understanding his story, these truths stand out.

1. Our world has innumerable layers, everywhere across space and time.
2. Not everyone sees, acknowledges, understands, or considers all layers.
3. Mapping data makes more visible even that which is hidden, which gives it more power.
4. Exploring and integrating data geographically illuminates the patterns within layers and the relationships between them.
5. One can understand better the nature, quality, value, and power of data by generating data, ideally about something that affects one personally.
6. Once someone learns to see and think in layers, it is hard to stop.
7. The intersection of layers can compound impacts though feedback cycles.
8. Grasping the interplay of layers can help one conceive alternatives; how things are is not how they must be.
9. Young people have a keen sense of justice and power, and generating maps that show injustice builds power.
10. In profound ways, GIS propels experiential learning, critical thinking, problem-solving, project-based learning, and a STEM-based modus operandi, useful personally in any number of careers, and helpful for communities.

For centuries, maps have meant knowledge … and power. Young people can grasp this truth and harness the power of maps with just a few basic GIS tools. See how this remarkable educator is building vision within communities.