Abstract

Geospatial Semester: Connecting GIS, HS Students and Community-based Projects
Track: Teaching with GIS in Schools
Authors: Kathryn Keranen, Bob Kolvoord, Bob Kolvoord

The Geospatial Semester is a unique dual-enrollment partnership between James Madison University and high schools across Virginia. Participating students spend their senior year learning about GIS and applying it to complex, locally-based problems. They can also earn college credit at a substantial discount.

In the project's six year history, we have worked with thousands of students and observed the impact that this sort of problem-based learning can have on students' skill, confidence, and future career plans. The opportunity to pursue projects that are of interest and that matter is a powerful motivator.

In this presentation, we share some details about the project and spend most of our time sharing student work and describing the projects undertaken by this year's Geospatial Semester students. We'll also talk about how you might be able to start a similar effort at your home institution.