What did you do for GIS Day?

[JosephKerski]

What did you do for GIS Day this year?  Since 1999, GIS Day has been set aside to promote, celebrate, and demonstrate the real-world applications that are making a difference in society using Geographic Information Systems technology.

GIS Day always occurs during the Wednesday of Geography Awareness Week, and thus provides a good excuse for incorporating geographic perspectives, geography content, and spatial thinking into the activities.

I had a great GIS Day and Geography Awareness Week.  As the week began, I finished presenting and exhibiting at the National Council for the Social Studies conference in New Orleans, where I met some wonderful economics, geography, history, and civics instructors.  I then flew to Philadelphia and visited one of my favorite programs that use GIS to make a positive difference in the lives of young people, Hopeworks 'N Camden.   Hopeworks 'N Camden is a nonprofit that has been working for over 15 years with Camden youth. Utilizing an advanced training curriculum in web design and development, GIS, and Salesforce, Hopeworks works with youth aged 14­-23 to get back in school and discover a safe pathway to their future.  One of their projects with GIS involves mapping all of the city's water infrastructure--valves, fire hydrants, and mains--for the American Water Works Company.

Next, I visited Temple University's Department of Geography and Urban Studies, which recently began a new undergraduate GIS certificate program.   Next, I was invited to Penn State University to support their GIS Day activities, teaching a workshop, operating an information table, giving a presentation, and meeting with their innovative faculty across the campus who are using GIS in their courses and programs.  I also highly enjoyed speaking to two classes--an undergraduate course in professional development for geography students, and a first year seminar for earth and environmental students. Next, I visited Cornell University in New York, teaching a hands-on workshop for students and faculty, followed the next day by a workshop for the New York 4H community, In all of these visits I was highly encouraged by the energy and expertise of the students, staff, and faculty, and did my utmost to give plenty of encouragement and support in return.

Share the stories of what you did on the GIS Day web site, by replying to this essay below, or in GeoNet.

GIS Day events: Working with faculty, staff, and students.