July 2018 GeoMentor Spotlight

Jack Nessen - GIS Coordinator at Salem Sound Coastwatch

What was your favorite class in K-12? Science!

How did you first learn about and/or use GIS? Conducting Natural Resource Inventories in the Lake Sunapee region of New Hampshire with Aubson Sargent Land Trust.

Name one thing you love about GIS and/or geography: The fact that there are some many GIS applications across the fields of natural resource sciences and management and that everything you can map is REAL!

Why did you want to volunteer as a GeoMentor? To promote GIS content throughout elementary, middle and high school science curriculum.

If someone asked you why they should learn about GIS and/or geography, how would you respond in one sentence? Going to answer with a GIS pun here: Because GIS "relates" us to and "joins" us with the world around us! Ouch that was corny....

Email: basemapsalem@gmail.com

Instagram: basemap_geospatial

Questions? Email geomentors@aag.org.

June 2018 GeoMentor Spotlight

Kushendra N. Shah, GISP - GIS Programmer/Analyst at Noble Research Institute

What was your favorite class in K-12? Growing up in mountainous country –Nepal, I was always interested to know how land and mountains were formed; what would it look in bird’s eye view; how far was I from the world’s tallest mountain. I was intrigued by the geographic and geologic phenomena. The Geoscience course was my favorite class during my high school years.

How did you first learn about and/or use GIS? In 2008, I got opportunity to take introductory course of GIS during my undergraduate degree in Environmental Science at Kathmandu University, Nepal. During that time, I used ESRI GIS software to perform mapping and identifying potential places for developing community based tourism maps. Those maps helped many local people and tourists who came for visit to find better information of about the communities and villages. Since then I came to know that GIS is a great tool that allows us to make an informed decision in wide areas.

Name one thing you love about GIS and/or geography: GIS is gravitated by the principle of geography which is attributed to the things and places. I would like to recall Tobler’s first law of geography “everything related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things. In fact, GIS helps to understand the world in analytical way.

Why did you want to volunteer as a GeoMentor? I want to share my ideas and skills to the Future generations beyond what they learnt in schools. I have participated in extension and outreach activities through Noble Academy from last two years and it gave me immense pleasure to teach K-12 community about importance of GIS, maps and drone technology in Agriculture research. For instance, Kids were able to identify waterlogged spots or disease crops in the agricultural field from heatmaps. With GeoMentor opportunity, I believe I will get chance to learn student’s areas of interest and how they want to shape their career in future. In addition, I would like to encourage youths to pursue career in Geospatial Technology as it is evolving.

What kind of GeoMentor volunteer opportunity and experience are you looking for? I have continued interest in sharing and mentoring K-12 and/or youths who are interested to learn GIS technology and applications to understand the world. Given the opportunity type, I am available to share my expertise remotely or in personal training through local organizations or school and universities.

If someone asked you why they should learn about GIS and/or geography, how would you respond in one sentence? GIS and geography helps to address real-world challenges and problems and make informed decisions.

Email: knshah@noble.org

Websites: https://www.noble.org/education/

 Questions? Email geomentors@aag.org.

  May2018 GeoMentor Spotlight

Erin Silva - Project Manager at the Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative

What was your favorite class in K-12? English. I love to read!.

How did you first learn about and/or use GIS? I was introduced to GIS through a roommate while attending the University of MD College Park. She was a geography graduate student and I was always really interested in the courses she was taking and the projects she was working on.

Name one thing you love about GIS and/or geography (I know, just one!): I love that geography explores important questions about humans interaction with nature and the environment. Geography is universal and spans so many disciplines. Having a solid understanding and background in geography is important for everyone.

Why did you want to volunteer as a GeoMentor? I wish I had been exposed to geography and all the possible geography related career paths at a younger age. As a GeoMentor, I hope to inspire other young people and show them how fun and interesting geography can be.

What kind of GeoMentor volunteer opportunity and experience are you looking for? I am open to any experiences in the GeoMentor program. I would love meet with teachers to provide GIS training, help plan and/or lead geography related events or activities.

If someone asked you why they should learn about GIS and/or geography, how would you respond to them in one sentence? I answer with another question - What is more interesting and important than learning about the world we live in?!

Email address: elsilva@salisbury.edu

Websites: www.esrgc.org

Questions? Email geomentors@aag.org.