Latest Contributions by CandiceLuebbering

Share this flyer with K-12 educators and administrators in your social network and local community to let them know about the free software and assistance available for their schools, classrooms, and student groups! ... View more

Check out the latest GeoMentors Community Newsletter!  Take on the Monthly Mentor Challenge, read more about a fellow GeoMentor, learn about great resources to assist your mentoring efforts, and consider submitting your GeoMentor experience as a program case study! ... View more

Check out the latest GeoMentors Community Newsletter!  Take on the Monthly Mentor Challenge, read more about a fellow GeoMentor, learn about great resources to assist your mentoring efforts, and answer the call for program recruitment help needed this fall at the AAG Regional Division meetings! ... View more

Check out the latest GeoMentors Community Newsletter!  Take on the Monthly Mentor Challenge, read more about a fellow GeoMentor, and get inspired to get involved! ... View more

Check out the latest GeoMentors Community Newsletter!  Take on the Monthly Mentor Challenge, read more about a fellow GeoMentor, get steps on how to get started, and learn about a great resource to help you do so! ... View more

Use this template to help craft your outreach communication with a school or educator to let them know about the availability of free GIS software and volunteer GeoMentors (such as yourself!) who are ready to help. ... View more

On Tuesday, May 19, 2015, the students of Ryan Miller’s Geospatial Tools and Techniques in GIS gathered to present their final projects in the auditorium of Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia. The course is a collaboration between Washington-Lee High School  and James Madison University where students who take the course have the chance to earn six credits in GIS at JMU. The students in the course had worked over the course of the year to master the basics of using ArcGIS and learning how to manipulate and analyze geospatial data. During the second semester of the year-long course students devoted much of their time to working on individual final projects. Ryan Miller, through collaboration with various organizations and government agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the United States Department of Agriculture, was able to present the students with a wide range of potential projects to complete which would showcase how GIS can be used to solve real-world problems. The organizations would present the students with an issue that needed to be visualized and the data to analyze while working with both the student and their teacher in order to solve the problem at hand. By having the students collaborate with both their teacher and a third party, the students were given a glimpse into how someone in the field would use GIS and what their work might consist of. From Left to Right: Nicko Patron, Maya Wheeler, Abigail Stengle, Noha Osman, Bipir Pant The projects the students presented focused on topics ranging from mapping air pollution in Idaho to the relationship between monarchs and milkweed in the Corn Belt. The students demonstrated a wide variety of techniques and skills in their maps, showing that they can do everything from using buffering and clipping tools, to effectively importing their maps to ArcGIS Online. Some examples of student work in the form of both posters and links to Esri Storymaps can be found here. A highlight of the presentations was the fact that many of the people and organizations that the students collaborated with came to Washington-Lee to see the presentations and to meet the students in person. This meant that the students who worked on projects using data from the state of Idaho were given a chance to meet and talk about their projects with a representative from the Office of Senator James Risch, and students who were working with data provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were given a chance to meet Ron Salz, the Chief Cartographer for that organization. It was clear that the students walked away from the presentations and the course with an understanding not only of how to use GIS as a computer program, but with an understanding of how GIS can be used in a tangible, real-world way to solve problems and to connect with others both personally and professionally. For more information about this course, please contact Ryan Miller, Ed.S. at ryan.miller@apsva.us.  To see examples of the students' work, go here. ... View more

To learn more about how students are using GIS and geography applications in their classroom, we'll feature testimonials from students themselves telling us about their classroom and project experiences.  If you would like to share your K-12 education experience or can recommend someone else who may want to, please contact us at geomentors@aag.org. Name: Catherine Dempsey School Name: Washington-Lee High School School Location: Arlington, Virginia Class: James Madison University’s dual enrollment Geospatial Tools and Techniques Class Before this GIS experience, had you encountered and/or used GIS before?  What did you already know, if anything, about the technology? Before taking this class I had honestly never heard of GIS. Now, after having such a positive and fun experience with it, I plan to major in GIS and hopefully be able to use it to open doors for a diverse set of career opportunities. I know that many of my classmates had a similar experience as well. What mapping or analysis techniques did you learn through this experience? During this experience I learned how to use ArcGIS for Desktop and ArcGIS Online to analyze a variety of situations ranging from finding the best area for a ski resort based off of temperature, sun exposure, and the slope of a mountain, to tracking an urban coyote. What was the most interesting thing you learned about GIS or how to do with GIS? During the Year I created an online interactive map of South America that compared a country’s HIV rate with its GDP per capita. It was really interesting to create, and showed how online maps can be a great way to effectively display and distribute information visually. Has this experience affected your academic or career interests?  If so, how? My experience using GIS in a high school classroom has greatly affected both my academic and career interests. I now want to major in GIS, and I can apply my GIS knowledge to almost any field that I become interested in which is exciting. If another student asked you why they should learn about GIS, what would you tell them? GIS is a unique way to analyze and display data visually, and is applicable to almost anything which makes the field very diverse and interesting. GIS is also in-demand in the workforce so it’s an awesome thing to know how to do and be able to put on your resume. ... View more

Check out our first GeoMentors Community Newsletter! We'll be reaching out to our growing GeoMentors community about once a month with this newsletter to encourage your efforts and provide program-related information. ... View more

Each month, we'll feature at least one GeoMentor volunteer, learning a bit more about them to continue to build the GeoMentor community and show what wonderful and enthusiastic talent is available to assist K-12 schools with GIS and geography applications in their classrooms.  If you are interested in being featured, please contact  geomentors@aag.org.  For our inaugural GeoMentor Spotlight, meet Paisly Di Bianca from the US Environmental Protection Agency! Name:  Paisly Di Bianca Position/Affiliation:  Environmental Protection Specialist / GIS Coordinator, US Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Office, Chicago, IL What was your favorite class in K-12?: In grammar school I loved our culture studies classes; in high school I devoted my time to studying Spanish and photography. How did you first learn about and/or use GIS?: I’ve always enjoyed learning about new places. Before I “discovered” geography, I did my explorations through studying languages and Anthropology. After I graduated college, I worked as an Academic Advisor at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). I found myself telling students to study what drew their interest. I decided to follow my own advice and enrolled in NEIU’s MA program for Geography and Environmental Studies. I took a Cartography course as an elective; the instructor suggested I try a GIS course. I was hooked and never turned back. The work I do now for the EPA includes training staff on using geospatial technologies. Name one thing you love about GIS and/or geography (I know, just one!): Maps! Why did you want to volunteer as a GeoMentor?: I never had anyone tell me how cool Geography was when I was in K-12. My hope is help expose young people to Geography sooner rather than later it so they can develop an appreciation of how it can apply to their careers in the future. What kind of GeoMentor volunteer opportunity and experience are you looking for?: Since I am a GIS Specialist, I would be available to do workshops for students and/or teachers on how to use Esri’s tools (ArcGIS for Desktop and ArcGIS Online). As a Geographer, my research areas of interest are East Asia (focus Japan), urban geography, and linguistics so I could talk about those topics as well. I have experience teaching Pre-K through college so I am accustomed to working with a variety of age groups. If someone asked you why they should learn about GIS and/or geography, how would you respond in one sentence?: Everything happens some place on the Earth so you can’t go wrong studying Geography! Email address: dibianca.paisly@epa.gov Website:  http://www.epa.gov/geospatial/ If you are interested in being featured, please contact  geomentors@aag.org ... View more

Hi GeoMentors! To continue to build the GeoMentor community, we're looking to regularly post a 'GeoMentor Spotlight', where we learn a bit more about one of our GeoMentor volunteers.  The spotlight is a brief Q&A (see below) to help add faces and personalities to the concept of 'GeoMentors' in order to facilitate connections with teachers as well as encouraging others to participate as GeoMentors.  These spotlights will be posted on our program website, online communities, and social media.  If you are interested, please send your responses to the short set of questions below to geomentors@aag.org.  We are excited to learn more about our GeoMentor community members! (If you aren't a GeoMentor but would like to learn more about the program, please visit our website.  We'd love to have you participate!) 'GeoMentor Spotlight' Photo of yourself (optional) Name: Position/Job and Affiliation (or Student Level and University): What was your favorite class in K-12? How did you first learn about and/or use GIS? Name one thing you love about GIS and/or geography (I know, just one!): Why did you want to volunteer as a GeoMentor? What kind of GeoMentor volunteer opportunity and experience are you looking for? If someone asked you why they should learn about GIS and/or geography, how would you respond in one sentence? Email address: Website(s) (Optional: Provide any links to you or your work that you would like to share; e.g. LinkedIn, department website) Twitter username (optional) If you have any questions about the GeoMentors program or need help getting started, please contact us at geomentors@aag.org. Thank you again for volunteering your time and we look forward to working with you to increase GIS access and use in K-12 education in the US! The AAG GeoMentors Team www.geomentors.net geomentors@aag.org @AAGGeoMentors ... View more

The AAG-Esri ConnectED GeoMentors Program will officially launch at the AAG 2015 Annual Meeting in Chicago.  Attendees can learn more about the program and sign up to be a GeoMentor through program activities throughout the week. Look for GeoMentors Program ads on the AAG 2015 Mobile App and in the printed program Find GeoMentors program information in your registration materials, including a sign-up form Interact with AAG staff at the GeoMentors Program poster at all poster sessions Visit the AAG booth to find program materials and speak with staff about the program Talk to Esri staff about the program at their booth in the exhibition hall Attend a panel session about ConnectED featuring Esri and AAG program representatives who will provide more details about this initiative: K-12 Education ConnectED with Geography through ArcGIS Online Thursday, April 23, 2015, 3:20 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Columbus EF, Hyatt Regency Chicago, East Tower, Gold Level Attend a panel session about education policy featuring AAG program representatives: Advancing Geography in Federal K-12 Policy Reforms Friday, April 24, 2015, 8:00 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. Roosevelt, Hyatt Regency Chicago, East Tower, Ped Path The AAG encourages its members to consider volunteering as a GeoMentor and help make a difference in  improving GIS and geographic learning in schools.  Visit www.geomentors.net for more information, or sign up to be a GeoMentor directly at www.geomentors.net/participate. ... View more

To learn more about the ConnectED Initiative as well as the AAG-Esri ConnectED GeoMentors program, check out the following ArcNews columns by Doug Richardson, Executive Director of the Association of American Geographers: "Help Put Geography and GIS in Our Schools" - ArcNews, Spring 2015 "Give Back - Become a GeoMentor" - ArcNews, Winter 2014/2015 "Supporting the Esri-ConnectED Initiative" - ArcNews, Fall 2014 To learn more about the GeoMentors program, visit www.geomentors.net, or sign up today to participate at www.geomentors.net/participate. ... View more

The Association of American Geographers and Esri are working together to develop a nationwide network of GeoMentors to support the U.S. Department of Education’s ConnectED Initiative, for which Esri has donated $1 billion of ArcGIS Online software to all K-12 schools in the U.S.  GeoMentors will help maximize the benefits of this donation by assisting schools and teachers with introducing GIS and associated geographic concepts into classrooms across the country.  The AAG is building a diverse and talented network of GeoMentors, recruiting from the broad GIS community including all disciplines engaged with GIS, from the social to the physical sciences, and individuals across all sectors (public, private, academic, NGOs).  From GIS practitioners and graduate students, to professors and geographic information scientists, the AAG welcomes the entire GIS and geography community to volunteer their skills and experience as GeoMentors and help make a difference in improving GIS and geographic learning in schools.  Visit www.geomentors.net for more information, or sign up to be a GeoMentor today at www.geomentors.net/participate. The AAG will help train GeoMentors to work effectively with teachers and facilitate linkages between qualified GeoMentors and teachers or schools based on needs, expertise and interests.  GeoMentors will have access to online materials that illustrate strategies for GIS implementation in the classroom and receive support via online GeoMentors Program communities where they can learn from and communicate with fellow program participants and program facilitators. The GeoMentors Program will officially launch at the AAG Annual Meeting in Chicago (see GeoMentors Group Events).   Look for activities throughout the week to learn more about the program and sign up to be a GeoMentor. ... View more

Two-page informational flyer for the AAG-Esri ConnectED GeoMentors program.  Share with your geo-friends and colleagues to spread the word about the GeoMentors program and our outreach efforts to K-12 educators and schools. ... View more