We're happy to announce the publication of the Rural STEM GIS activity collection for AEJEE and ArcGIS. This collection of 12 activities (authored by Barbaree Ash Duke, edited by me and classroom tested by teachers around the country) focuses on middle school science and social studies. Each activity comes with student instructions and worksheet, teacher notes, an answer key and all relevant data. The activities are referenced to relevant national standards. Each activity can also be easily modified for younger or older students. Each activity can be used by itself or in conjunction with one or more of the other activities. We hope teachers in a variety of settings will find these activities of use.
All the activities can be accessed at http://www.isat.jmu.edu/stem/curriculum.html
We've categorized the activities into three groups by GIS experience:
Level 1 – suitable as a first-time GIS experience
Bats in the Neighborhood: Friend or Foe?
Hunting for the Best Cabela's Location
Invasive Species: Attack of the Animals
Invasive Species: Attack of the Plants
Level 2 – best after a prior introduction to GIS
We are the World: A Look at Demographics
Production and Consumption: The Give and Take of Energy
Disaster Strikes
Should You Drink the Water?
Watersheds: Why bother?
Level 3 – best after more than one experience with GIS
What's Your Carbon Footprint?
Can You Grow Money?
Survivor: The Agricultural Challenge
This work is supported the Center for Rural STEM Education at James Madison University and funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
Please feel free to contact us with comments and questions.
Bob Kolvoord
Bob Kolvoord, Ph.D.
Professor, Integrated Science and Technology and
Educational Technologies
Co-Director, JMU Center for STEM Education and Outreach
James Madison University
MSC 4102
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
+1 540/568-2752 (o) -2768 (f)
kolvoora@jmu.edu
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
A Dozen Reasons to Use GIS in Your Classroom
They're ready! The National Center for Rural STEM Education Outreach-Geospatial Technology has drafted, tested, edited and posted. The lessons as well as a wealth of resources and curricular materials are ready for download. Check out the site: http://www.isat.jmu.edu/stem/curriculum.html
GIS lessons are waiting for you!
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Translating Joined Data Files from ArcMap 9.x to AEJEE
In my curriculum writing for GIS, I often join data files for use in ArcMap 9.x. AEJEE, ArcExplorer Java Edition for Education, is unhappy with these files. However, there are some simple steps to follow so that they work nicely in AEJEE.
FIRST, In ArcMap:
1. Join the data files
2. fix the table names so that they are only 8 characters max
3. get rid of any spare fields that you really don't need
4. save your edits
5. export the data as a shapefile
THEN, In AEJEE:
1. add the shapefile
2. do your analysis
Special Thanks to Charlie Fitzpatrick and all the Education Team folks at ESRI for making GIS easier for all educators.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
My Favorite Data Stops
My favorite places to get data for use with classroom activities are:
The National Atlas: http://www.nationalatlas.gov
USGS: http://seamless.usgs.gov
National Historic GIS: http://www.nhgis.org
The National Atlas: http://www.nationalatlas.gov
USGS: http://seamless.usgs.gov
National Historic GIS: http://www.nhgis.org
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Create Your Own Earth Story with Earth Live
Check out Discovery's Earth Live.
You can view other stories or create your own original with their interactive online tools.
http://dsc.discovery.com/guides/discovery-earth-live/discovery-earth-live.html
Monday, June 23, 2008
GIS in Education Articles and Resources
The folks at eSchool News teamed up with ESRI to publish a nice collection of online articles.
Have a look:
http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/gis-and-geographic-inquiry/
Have a look:
http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/gis-and-geographic-inquiry/
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Confluencing
Now that summer's upon us, you might be interested in grabbing your GPS unit and doing some exploring. Get the scoop at http://www.confluence.org!
As my friend Joseph says, "Get out there and explore the world!"
As my friend Joseph says, "Get out there and explore the world!"
Spatial News
My friend, Dr. Joseph Kerski, and some fine Nebraska teachers made the news!
They had coverage at KNOP based on the hour or so that a TV reporter spent with them at the GIS workshop: http://www.knopnews2.com/
There is a spatial thinking link above, today. Not sure how long it will be active but this might work into the future:
http://www.knopnews2.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2625&source=2
Then click on “Watch Video”.
They had coverage at KNOP based on the hour or so that a TV reporter spent with them at the GIS workshop: http://www.knopnews2.com/
There is a spatial thinking link above, today. Not sure how long it will be active but this might work into the future:
http://www.knopnews2.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2625&source=2
Then click on “Watch Video”.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
National Summit on Geospatial Technologies in K-12 Education
The National Center for Rural STEM Education will be hosting a National Summit on Geospatial Technologies in K-12 Education at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA from 11 to 12 July 2008. This gathering will provide an opportunity for developers and teachers to share materials and approaches, for school districts to learn about the possibilities for GIS in the classroom, for researchers to connect to practioners, and for the GIS in Education community to get together and plan for the future. It will feature sessions dedicated to successful uses of these technologies in classrooms and opportunities to discuss the challenges of broadening the reach to more students.
A draft conference agenda and a call for presentations are available at http://www.isat.jmu.edu/stem/workshop.html
Presentation proposals are due by 18 April 2008 (decisions will be made by the end of April).
Travel support is available for a number of teachers from rural school districts. The conference fee ($50 - includes all meals) is very low and we want to encourage broad participation.
Please contact Bob Kolvoord (kolvoora@jmu.edu) with any questions.
Please feel free to share this with other lists to which you contribute.
Bob Kolvoord, Ph.D.
Professor, Integrated Science and Technology and Educational Technologies James Madison University MSC 4102 Harrisonburg, VA 22807
+1 540/568-2752 (o) -2768 (f)
kolvoora@jmu.edu
A draft conference agenda and a call for presentations are available at http://www.isat.jmu.edu/stem/workshop.html
Presentation proposals are due by 18 April 2008 (decisions will be made by the end of April).
Travel support is available for a number of teachers from rural school districts. The conference fee ($50 - includes all meals) is very low and we want to encourage broad participation.
Please contact Bob Kolvoord (kolvoora@jmu.edu) with any questions.
Please feel free to share this with other lists to which you contribute.
Bob Kolvoord, Ph.D.
Professor, Integrated Science and Technology and Educational Technologies James Madison University MSC 4102 Harrisonburg, VA 22807
+1 540/568-2752 (o) -2768 (f)
kolvoora@jmu.edu
GIS Student Contest
Thought the GIS edu folks might be interested...
GeoWeb 2008 Conference - 1st Student ContestGeoWeb is the industry leading event focused on GIS and the Internet
Do you have what it takes to develop a piece of software or a solution to a theoretical problem to win our student contest?
If you do, then we want to hear from you, as this student contest open to all full-time students attending an educational institution anywhere in the world.
Students may submit a registration of an abstract of their proposal at any time (see http://geowebconference.org/students-academia/contest-information). Note that both registration and final submissions are due and must be submitted no later than May 15, 2008.
Develop software or solve a theoretical problem to:
Generate 3D models for Google Earth, Virtual Earth etc. from CAD drawings automatically.
To enhance position measurement inside a building.
Integrate Google or Virtual Earth with Second Life.
Generalize from large scale to small scale in 2D and 3D.
Generate GML (observations) from KML and KML (by styling) from GML.
Validate geography and topology automatically using a rule based mechanism.
To visualize the content of an ebRIM (OASIS) registry.
Develop visualization mechanisms for travelogues
Use wavlets to integrate geometry, coverages and observations.
Students may submit a registration of an abstract of their proposal at any time (see http://geowebconference.org/students-academia/contest-information). Note that both registration and final submissions are due and must be submitted no later than May 15, 2008.
Software submissions must include the following components:
One sentence description of your software.
Source code for the software (C, C++, Java etc).
Build files as required to create an executable program for one of (Linux, Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS). The build file must be executable automatically and generate an executable program with minimal input by the software judges. It should require very minimal effort on the part of the installer to create an executable program.Description of the functionality of the software.
This description should be limited to two typed pages (12 pt type), and must highlight the key points that you feel the software demonstrates that are advances over existing software technology.
Presentation (e.g. Keynote, Power Point etc) that you will give if your entry is selected.
Contest Submittals
Students must register at www.geowebconference.org by May 15th, 2008.
Contest Requirements
Contest entrants will be required to complete a registration form verifying their status as full time students and these details will be verified before any award is granted.
Costs
Please note that any costs associated with the submittal for this contest is at the expense of the student.
Selection Process
The selection of the contest winner(s) will be made by a GeoWeb committee consisting of leading figures in the GIS industry and will be notified by June 6th, 2008.
Prizes
Winners of the contest will be brought to the GeoWeb 2008 conference in Vancouver, Canada, and all legitimate expenses* will be paid by the contest supporters. A cash honorarium will also be provided.
*The contest supporters will arrange transportation to/from Vancouver, lodging and meals while in Vancouver, however reserve the right to refuse any expenses they believe are unreasonable.
Complete information on the student contest and conference may be obtained at www.geowebconference.org.
GeoWeb 2008 Conference - 1st Student ContestGeoWeb is the industry leading event focused on GIS and the Internet
Do you have what it takes to develop a piece of software or a solution to a theoretical problem to win our student contest?
If you do, then we want to hear from you, as this student contest open to all full-time students attending an educational institution anywhere in the world.
Students may submit a registration of an abstract of their proposal at any time (see http://geowebconference.org/students-academia/contest-information). Note that both registration and final submissions are due and must be submitted no later than May 15, 2008.
Develop software or solve a theoretical problem to:
Generate 3D models for Google Earth, Virtual Earth etc. from CAD drawings automatically.
To enhance position measurement inside a building.
Integrate Google or Virtual Earth with Second Life.
Generalize from large scale to small scale in 2D and 3D.
Generate GML (observations) from KML and KML (by styling) from GML.
Validate geography and topology automatically using a rule based mechanism.
To visualize the content of an ebRIM (OASIS) registry.
Develop visualization mechanisms for travelogues
Use wavlets to integrate geometry, coverages and observations.
Students may submit a registration of an abstract of their proposal at any time (see http://geowebconference.org/students-academia/contest-information). Note that both registration and final submissions are due and must be submitted no later than May 15, 2008.
Software submissions must include the following components:
One sentence description of your software.
Source code for the software (C, C++, Java etc).
Build files as required to create an executable program for one of (Linux, Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS). The build file must be executable automatically and generate an executable program with minimal input by the software judges. It should require very minimal effort on the part of the installer to create an executable program.Description of the functionality of the software.
This description should be limited to two typed pages (12 pt type), and must highlight the key points that you feel the software demonstrates that are advances over existing software technology.
Presentation (e.g. Keynote, Power Point etc) that you will give if your entry is selected.
Contest Submittals
Students must register at www.geowebconference.org by May 15th, 2008.
Contest Requirements
Contest entrants will be required to complete a registration form verifying their status as full time students and these details will be verified before any award is granted.
Costs
Please note that any costs associated with the submittal for this contest is at the expense of the student.
Selection Process
The selection of the contest winner(s) will be made by a GeoWeb committee consisting of leading figures in the GIS industry and will be notified by June 6th, 2008.
Prizes
Winners of the contest will be brought to the GeoWeb 2008 conference in Vancouver, Canada, and all legitimate expenses* will be paid by the contest supporters. A cash honorarium will also be provided.
*The contest supporters will arrange transportation to/from Vancouver, lodging and meals while in Vancouver, however reserve the right to refuse any expenses they believe are unreasonable.
Complete information on the student contest and conference may be obtained at www.geowebconference.org.
GIS Student Contest
Thought the GIS edu folks might be interested...
GeoWeb 2008 Conference - 1st Student ContestGeoWeb is the industry leading event focused on GIS and the Internet
Do you have what it takes to develop a piece of software or a solution to a theoretical problem to win our student contest?
If you do, then we want to hear from you, as this student contest open to all full-time students attending an educational institution anywhere in the world.
Students may submit a registration of an abstract of their proposal at any time (see http://geowebconference.org/students-academia/contest-information). Note that both registration and final submissions are due and must be submitted no later than May 15, 2008.
Develop software or solve a theoretical problem to:
Generate 3D models for Google Earth, Virtual Earth etc. from CAD drawings automatically.
To enhance position measurement inside a building.
Integrate Google or Virtual Earth with Second Life.
Generalize from large scale to small scale in 2D and 3D.
Generate GML (observations) from KML and KML (by styling) from GML.
Validate geography and topology automatically using a rule based mechanism.
To visualize the content of an ebRIM (OASIS) registry.
Develop visualization mechanisms for travelogues
Use wavlets to integrate geometry, coverages and observations.
Students may submit a registration of an abstract of their proposal at any time (see http://geowebconference.org/students-academia/contest-information). Note that both registration and final submissions are due and must be submitted no later than May 15, 2008.
Software submissions must include the following components:
One sentence description of your software.
Source code for the software (C, C++, Java etc).
Build files as required to create an executable program for one of (Linux, Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS). The build file must be executable automatically and generate an executable program with minimal input by the software judges. It should require very minimal effort on the part of the installer to create an executable program.Description of the functionality of the software.
This description should be limited to two typed pages (12 pt type), and must highlight the key points that you feel the software demonstrates that are advances over existing software technology.
Presentation (e.g. Keynote, Power Point etc) that you will give if your entry is selected.
Contest Submittals
Students must register at www.geowebconference.org by May 15th, 2008.
Contest Requirements
Contest entrants will be required to complete a registration form verifying their status as full time students and these details will be verified before any award is granted.
Costs
Please note that any costs associated with the submittal for this contest is at the expense of the student.
Selection Process
The selection of the contest winner(s) will be made by a GeoWeb committee consisting of leading figures in the GIS industry and will be notified by June 6th, 2008.
Prizes
Winners of the contest will be brought to the GeoWeb 2008 conference in Vancouver, Canada, and all legitimate expenses* will be paid by the contest supporters. A cash honorarium will also be provided.
*The contest supporters will arrange transportation to/from Vancouver, lodging and meals while in Vancouver, however reserve the right to refuse any expenses they believe are unreasonable.
Complete information on the student contest and conference may be obtained at www.geowebconference.org.
GeoWeb 2008 Conference - 1st Student ContestGeoWeb is the industry leading event focused on GIS and the Internet
Do you have what it takes to develop a piece of software or a solution to a theoretical problem to win our student contest?
If you do, then we want to hear from you, as this student contest open to all full-time students attending an educational institution anywhere in the world.
Students may submit a registration of an abstract of their proposal at any time (see http://geowebconference.org/students-academia/contest-information). Note that both registration and final submissions are due and must be submitted no later than May 15, 2008.
Develop software or solve a theoretical problem to:
Generate 3D models for Google Earth, Virtual Earth etc. from CAD drawings automatically.
To enhance position measurement inside a building.
Integrate Google or Virtual Earth with Second Life.
Generalize from large scale to small scale in 2D and 3D.
Generate GML (observations) from KML and KML (by styling) from GML.
Validate geography and topology automatically using a rule based mechanism.
To visualize the content of an ebRIM (OASIS) registry.
Develop visualization mechanisms for travelogues
Use wavlets to integrate geometry, coverages and observations.
Students may submit a registration of an abstract of their proposal at any time (see http://geowebconference.org/students-academia/contest-information). Note that both registration and final submissions are due and must be submitted no later than May 15, 2008.
Software submissions must include the following components:
One sentence description of your software.
Source code for the software (C, C++, Java etc).
Build files as required to create an executable program for one of (Linux, Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS). The build file must be executable automatically and generate an executable program with minimal input by the software judges. It should require very minimal effort on the part of the installer to create an executable program.Description of the functionality of the software.
This description should be limited to two typed pages (12 pt type), and must highlight the key points that you feel the software demonstrates that are advances over existing software technology.
Presentation (e.g. Keynote, Power Point etc) that you will give if your entry is selected.
Contest Submittals
Students must register at www.geowebconference.org by May 15th, 2008.
Contest Requirements
Contest entrants will be required to complete a registration form verifying their status as full time students and these details will be verified before any award is granted.
Costs
Please note that any costs associated with the submittal for this contest is at the expense of the student.
Selection Process
The selection of the contest winner(s) will be made by a GeoWeb committee consisting of leading figures in the GIS industry and will be notified by June 6th, 2008.
Prizes
Winners of the contest will be brought to the GeoWeb 2008 conference in Vancouver, Canada, and all legitimate expenses* will be paid by the contest supporters. A cash honorarium will also be provided.
*The contest supporters will arrange transportation to/from Vancouver, lodging and meals while in Vancouver, however reserve the right to refuse any expenses they believe are unreasonable.
Complete information on the student contest and conference may be obtained at www.geowebconference.org.
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