Abstract
GIS Extensions for Wind Energy Activities
Track: Teaching with GIS in Schools
Author
Through the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium a series of map extension activities were created to introduce students to Geodesy, map interpretation, and decision making while teaching about wind energy.
Using existing activities from the National Energy Education Development and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, among others, activities were developed that expand on the objectives of the activity. For example, after making a wind sock or building and testing an anemometer, students download a shapefile or kml file of a wind resource map and interpret the map to answer questions.
The activities build basic GIS skills while teaching about map interpretation and the importance of spatial data in decision making. The addition of GIS to existing wind energy activities increases the number of SOLs covered and makes them more appealing to educators looking to incorporate technology education in their classes and add more hands-on components.
Remy Luerssen
James Madison University
1401 Technology Drive, Suite 120
MSC 4905
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
United States
Phone: 540-568-8768
E-mail: luerssrm@jmu.edu