2012 STEMworks Conference GIS Winners

Congratulations to Sierra Harrell and Lotus Chen of King Kekaulike High School for winning the 2012 STEMworks Conference GIS Competition! 

Sierra and Lotus, concerned about the safety of King Kekaulike students who walk to and from school, used GIS tools and software to map data collected from Pukalani school walking routes.  Sierra and Lotus will submit their findings and concerns to the Department of Public Works in the hopes that their data will reveal the need for more sidewalks as well as show the best areas to install them. 

An amazing example of using GIS to address a community concern!

GPS vs. SmartPhone!

Joseph Kerski, Education Manager with ESRI, conducts two experiments comparing the accuracy of the horizontal position of a SmartPhone vs. that of a GPS receiver. His results show that while the SmartPhone's data is more current and precise than that of the GPS, the GPS's data is far more accurate.

To learn more about Kerski's experiments, please click on the following links:
Comparing a GPS vs. SmartPhone, Part 1 of 2
Comparing a GPS vs. SmartPhone, Part 2 of 2

To learn more about the accuracy of iPhone locations, please click on the following article by Paul Zandbergen, Department of Geography, University of New Mexico:

Zandbergen, Paul A. 2009. Accuracy of iPhone Locations: A Comparison of Assisted GPS, WiFi, and Cellular Positioning. Transactions in GIS, 13(s1): 5-26

Have you used your cell phone for GPS positioning?

A Place for Everything: Geographic Analysis and Geospatial Tech in Schools

Excellent article by Charlie Fitzpatrick, ESRI Education Manager, now in The Geography Teacher, a publication of the National Council for Geographic Education. The article is available free for reading online or downloading.

How do you encourage students to use geographic analysis and geospatial technology in your school and/or community?

GIS & Clean Energy Meet!

GIS to help create a smart grid.

EarthSky.org article:

http://earthsky.org/human-world/bill-meehan-on-using-gis-to-help-create-a-smart-grid-2

Videos - GIS in the Classroom

New ESRI Videos on how to incorporate GIS in your classroom instruction!

http://esriurl.com/gisinschools1

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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?

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.

GPS 101 for Kauai Educators

Through a partnership between the Kauai and Maui Economic Development Boards, the GeoTech for Hawaii Schools Initiative facilitated a GPS 101 workshop for Kauai teachers on Oct. 19th.

After a variety of outdoor GPS activities, participants transfered their tracks and points using the GPSies.com website (see image) to GoogleEarth, then watched a demo of a transfer into ESRI ArcGIS.

Have GPS, Ready to GeoCache!

GeoCaching

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.

Search for a GeoCache Near You!http://www.geocaching.com/

Citizen Science Project on Butterflies and Moths

Do you have a GPS and a camera and an interest in Butterflies or Moths?

Check out this collaborative geographic inquiry project:

Butterflies and Moths Project
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/
You or your students can submit your own data or just research existing spatial data at this site!!

Molokai Earth Day GPS Treasure Hunts

Over 120 students from 4th - 6th grade from various schools on Molokai participated in the Earth Day festivities last Friday April 17th.

Women in Technology and Molokai Nature Conservancy partnered to facilitate GPS treasure hunts for all of the students!

The Earth Day events, both morning and evening, were planned and put on by Molokai Nature Conservancy. An excellent series of events!

NEW! Online Course - Intro to GeoTech

Intro to GeoTech: GPS, GIS, and Remote Sensing
April 9 - May 28, 2009
Eight Thursdays from 2:30 - 4:00 PM


Learn how to integrate GeoTech into the classroom!
Receive a stipend of $100 OR a GPS Handheld!
Receive two GeoTech related books with standards based curriculum and community service project ideas.
Discover the benefits of interactive, online learning!

See attached flyer for more information.

JOIN THE WAIT LIST Space was limited to 22 participants, and
the class has filled up. However, you are welcome to register to be on the wait list.

Intro_GeoTech_flyer_2009.pdf