Free Educational Posters - Satellite Images!

East View Cartographic is offering free posters that show satellite images of famous places.

Could make a great gift or classroom decoration. Places include Yellowstone, Mt. Everest, the World Cup stadiums the Moon and others.
http://www.poster.evcfamousplaces.com/

Happy GIS Day!

Happy GIS Day to All Hawaii Schools and GeoTech Partners!

Mahalo for all you do!

FBI Uses GPS to Gather Information

Methods raise privacy concerns.

NPR story at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130833487

Win $500 for Your Geography Education Matters Video!

National Council for Geographic Education Sponsors Video Contest

Use your creativity to show "Why Geography Education Matters to you!"

See http://www.ncge.org/ for rules and how to submit.

Deadline: Midnight Eastern Time Nov. 30, 2010.

Remote Sensing Technology Can Save Lives

Data May be Used to Help Prevent Disease Outbreaks

The Space Foundation, an international nonprofit advocate for the space industry, has released a White Paper stating that data from remote sensing satellites can be used to develop models to predict areas at risk for disease outbreaks.

http://www.spacefoundation.org/research/

What are some ways you think remote sensing could be used to benefit society?

Celebrate GIS Day on Nov. 17th!

Announcing Our 2nd Annual GIS Day Statewide Webcast for Hawaii Schools

We invite teachers of all grades and schools throughout Hawaii to sign up today to help your students celebrate GIS Day on November 17th!

-Choose from an exciting schedule of LIVE presentations from GIS Professionals!
-Assemble a group of students (and/or colleagues) behind a computer that has Internet and speakers set up!
-Learn what GIS is by hearing and seing real-world uses of it!
-Expand your students' awareness of the exciting career paths in GIS here in Hawaii!

GIS = Geographic Information Systems

Download the Flyer HERE: http://www.womenintech.com/GISDayWebcast_FlyerNov.pdf

Sign Up to Participate HERE: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GISDayWebcast2010

Note: This event is FREE. Sign up early to be able to view your 1st choice of presentations. Limited spaces available.

Geospatial Revolution Web Movie Series - MUST SEE!

We previously posted the trailer for the Penn State Public Broadcasting series in the works called "The Geospatial Revolution Project". Well, Episode 1 is out!

As of Septebmer 15, 2010, you may view Episode 1 here:
http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/

Have you already used the trailer your classroom? Please share.

Article on GIS in Education

Geo-Cool! Explore the wonders of geotechnologies in teaching and
learning with this new article that my excellent colleague Barbaree
Duke and I wrote in this month’s ISTE’s journal Learning and Leading
with Technology:


http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100910#pg30


--Joseph Kerski

Connect with a GeoMentor

Wish you had access to a GIS expert that can help you or your students tackle a GIS stumbling block? You CAN with ESRI's GeoMentor program!

Find a GeoMentor anywhere in the world or right here in Hawaii who can help you TODAY - for free!
For more information visit the GeoMentor website:

http://edcommunity.esri.com/geomentor/index.cfm

Register for free on ESRI's website to obtain your own global ID, then you can begin searching for a mentor and getting the help you need. GIS Experts are eagerly awaiting your email! Establish a relationship with a GeoMentor to help you indefinitely!

Pacific Disaster Center Releases First In-Market, Free Disaster Alert for iPhone and iPad

Maui headquartered Pacific Disaster Center has published a free-download app for iPhone and iPad, giving users access to real-time, information on 12 different types of hazards, including earthquakes, floods, cyclones, tsunamis, volcanoes and wildfires worldwide, and High Surf/High Wind (in Hawaii).

The App's features include:

• View Active Hazards on an interactive map


• Get 'more info' for each Active Hazard


• Active Hazards are updated every five minutes
  

http://www.pdc.org/PDCNewsWebArticles/2010/iTunes/disaster_alert.htm

GIS is a core component of PDC's operation.

Girl Scouts Explore Waihe‘e Coastal Dunes with GPS

Girls locate waypoints to learn about native plants

Monday, July 26, Girl Scouts from Maui Troop 460 used GPS technology to learn about native plants and historic Hawaiian cultural sites at Waihe‘e Coastal Dunes and Wetlands, Maui Coastal Land Trust. They identified an ancient kuapā (fishpond wall), a puka wai/mākāhā (water way/sluice grate) that once connected the fishpond to the ocean, and plants such as hala, naupaka and pohinahina.

Geospatial recognized as a career with the US Department of Labor!

DOL’s geospatial technology competency model is released.

“What I like most about it is that it doesn’t just start and stop with
tech skills, but begins with personal effectiveness competencies,
moves to academic competencies, workplace competencies, industry
competencies, and moves up to management competencies.” (Dr. Joseph Kerski, Education Manager, ESRI)





More:http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20100950.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Esri-News+%28ESRI.com+-+News%29

Intro to GeoTech Course for Hawaii Educators and Counselors

Introduction to Geospatial Technologies

This is an online course for educators and counselors statewide.
Sept. 13 - Nov. 15, 2010
DOWNLOAD FLYER

For more information visit:
http://www.womenintech.com/workshops.html

TO REGISTER ONLINE TODAY:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/IntroToGeoTech2010

ArcGIS for the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad! FREE

Devices with the iOS can download ESRI's ArcGIS App FREE!

"ArcGIS for iOS allows you to navigate maps, collect and report data, and perform GIS analysis."

For more information or to download the new App, visit:
http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/ios/overview.html

Are you using iOS devices in your classroom or school? If so, please let us know how you might integrate this new app from ESRI.

Remote Sensing Lessons from AmericaView

Engage your students in Remote Sensing

Visit this website to download lessons appropriate for your grade level:
http://earthobservationday.com/pages/resources-eodaylessonplans.htm

These lessons were developed by AmericaView to support celebration of Earth Observation Day.

AmericaView Website:
http://www.americaview.org/
Earth Observation Day Website:
http://www.earthobservationday.com/

What are other ways to integrate remote sensing into K12 classrooms?

GIS & GPS - Valuable Tools in Protecting Hawaiian Seabirds

On Lehua Island, 10 miles west of Kauai, Federal and State Wildlife Services are using GIS and GPS to map topography and accurately distribute bait pellets in an effort to eradicate invasive rats and protect seabird populations.

Read "Eradicating Rats on Lehua Island, Hawaii, with the Help of GIS and GPS," ESRI's ArcNews Online article for more.

http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/spring10articles/lehua-island-hawaii.html

What are some other ways GIS is being used to protect wildlife and habitat that you know of?

Interior Continues Leadership Role in Land Remote Sensing Under National Space Policy Announced by the President

“Land remote sensing is a crucial tool in our efforts to develop broad, effective, holistic approaches to both mitigate and adapt to the environmental challenges of our day,” said Castle, who oversees Interior’s Water and Science agencies, including the U.S. Geological Survey. “In addition, remote sensing has critical event-specific uses, for example, in closely monitoring the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and establishing baseline and post-spill conditions.”

Read more....

http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Interior-Continues-Leadership-Role-in-Land-Remote-Sensing-Under-National-Space-Policy-Announced-by-the-President.cfm

How has remote sensoring helped your community?

Remote Sensing Event for Maui K12 Educators

An Earth Observation Workshop

TUES. July 6th
Kihei Charter School,
Lipoa Center
41 E. Lipoa Street
Kihei, MAUI
9am-1pm Teachers/
community members

(2pm-4pm Geospatial professionals)

LINK TO FLYER

Forecasting Tsunami with GPS Technology

NASA scientists knew February 2010 wave would be too small to cause destruction in Hawaii

Scientists used GPS sensors placed close to the epicenter of February's destructive Chilean earthquake and experimental computer modeling to predict the size of February's tsunami. Listen to this interesting Hawaii Public Radio report.
http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/hpr/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=42&Itemid=166

What are other real world uses for GPS you can think of?

FREE online GIS training available through Women In Technology!

Free GIS webcourses are available for all Hawaii teachers and students K-12. This opportunity is made possible through WIT’s partnership with the Hawaii Department of Education and ESRI. For more info go to http://www.womenintech.com/GISDistributionCenter/
Or email Shannon@medb.org.

Do you feel online training is effective?

UH Research Uses GeoTech

Tracking Larvae to Boost Local Coral

UH Researchers are studying coral in Hawaii Kai and using remote sensing satellite technology to track the larvae flow! Listen to this HPR story to learn more.

http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/hpr/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=42&Itemid=166

What other research in Hawaii uses GeoTech that you know of? Please share by commenting.

Students Gather GIS Data that Laves Lives

"Hannibal Students Help Make 911 Maps More Accurate; We're Saving Lives, Starting Careers"
HANNIBAL, NY (wrvo) - Oswego County's 911 system is getting more accurate data so dispatchers can help police, fire and ambulance crews go to exactly the right place. The help is coming from an unlikely source: Students in the Hannibal Central School District.

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wrvo/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1661405

High School Students on Maui were also recently involved in a similar project. They gathered lifeguard station waypoints which were needed by the e911 program operated by Akimeka LLC!

Do you have students collecting similar data? Let us know and we'll help put it to use.

Sites for GIS Energy Data

Looking for data sets for Hawaii or beyond on Solar, Wind, or Geothermal energy potential and/or other energy data?

NREL GIS Data Download
http://www.nrel.gov/gis/cfm/input.cfm

NREL Renewable Resource Data Center (RReDC)
http://www.nrel.gov/rredc/

Open Energy Info
http://en.openei.org/wiki/Main_Page

US Energy Information Administration
http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelrenewable.html

Exciting International Geotech Event in Hawaii

2010 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium - July 25-30, 2010 - Honolulu -
http://www.igarss2010.org/

"...world-class scientists, engineers, and educators engaged in the fields of geosciences and remote sensing from around the world. We anticipate well over one thousand participants ...."

Remote Sensing Used on Oil Spill

Here's an article from the MSNBC Cosmic Blog showing remote sensing images of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/04/29/2289663.aspx

For a kid-friendly explanation of Remote Sensing, see this previous GeoTech blog post.

http://geotechhawaii.blogspot.com/2008/11/what-is-remote-sensing.html

Can this use of remote sensing increase the rate at which we clean up oil spills? How can remote sensing be used to prevent or anticipate major disasters?
Share your thoughts by adding a comment.

Examining the Last 7 Days of Earthquakes

Aloha All:

On the ArcLessons library is a short set of guidelines that walks you through the process of downloading and examining the last 7 days of earthquakes around the world, in ArcMap:

http://edcommunity.esri.com/arclessons/lesson.cfm?id=477

I revised these procedures this week because I wished to analyze why the Haiti earthquakes were so unusual compared to historical earthquakes in that region. Using the above procedures, I found my answer. So will you if you do the same.

And speaking of the tragedy in Haiti, one good thing that is happening is that the GIS community in academia, government, nonprofits, and private industry are coming together to assemble data sets to help in the relief effort. When you think about it, everything they do in terms of getting supplies and medicine to where it needs to go, and finding out where it needs to go in the first place, alternative routes when roads and airfields are destroyed, etc, requires base maps. It is good to know that GIS is helping even in the face of a disaster.

--Joseph Kerski

Bizarre Map Contest for Students

"Bizarre Map Challenge" (BMC): A National Map Design Competition
Hosted by the National GeoTech Center (http://www.geotechcenter.org/) and San Diego State University.
Contact (Q&A) email address: bmc@geography.sdsu.edu

Goal: To promote spatial thinking and geospatial technology awareness in high schools, community colleges, and universities in the United States. To inspire curiosity about geographic patterns and map representation for students and the broader public.

Awards:
1st prize: $5000 cash
2nd prize: $1000 cash,
3rd prize: $600 cash,
4th - 10th prizes: $200 cash for each

Competition Rules
1. Competition participants must be full-time students in high school, community college, or a university (undergraduate students only) in the United States. The cartographic work and map design must be the original work of the entrant.
Visit the website for the complete list of rules.
Timeline:
March 1st - March 22nd, 2010 : Accepting map entries (on-line form) from the BMC website (URL to be announced on March 1st, 2010)

Coastlines GIS Project - An Opportunity for Teachers!!

CoastLines 2010 Application is Online!

/CoastLines/ is a three-year Comprehensive Project for Students and
Teachers funded by the Innovative Technologies for Students and Teachers
(ITEST) program at the National Science Foundation (NSF). The project is
introducing fundamental concepts about information technologies (IT) to
grade 7-12 schools. /CoastLines/ is accomplishing this goal by involving
teachers and students in using geographic information systems (GIS) and
global positioning system (GPS) technology to conduct scientific studies
of coastal ecosystems in the NSF’s Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)
network.

The /CoastLines/ project is now accepting applications from teachers to
participate in the 2010 project cohort. The online application form is
located at: http://www.coastlines.ws. Teachers in the Santa
Barbara/Ventura, California, region are particularly encouraged to
apply. Other educators will be accepted on a space-available basis.

For more information about joining the project, click the Overview tab
on the /CoastLines/ Web site. Click the 2010 Application tab to access
the application form. The application should take approximately 15
minutes to complete.


DEADLINE
Applications for the 2010 project must be submitted no later than 11:59
PM local time on Sunday, 31 January 2010.

GIS Data for Hawaii - A MUST SEE

Looking for Data to Download specific to Hawaii?
This is one of the best sources!

The Hawaii Statewide GIS Program hosts downloadable data sets on everything from Ahupua'a to Census Data to Elevation Contours, some statewide, some island-wide. This is every Hawaii GIS User's dream come true! A MUST SEE!

http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/gis/

From the homepage, click on GIS Data in the lefthand side bar. From there, download, unzip, and begin your spatial analysis of Hawaii within your GIS desktop software!