Abstract
GIS and Biology: Precision agriculture for middle schoolers
Track: User Presentations - Teaching
Authors: Megan Patent-Nygren
Farmers today use high-tech to assess conditions, manage inputs and make decisions in crop production. This integrated systems approach can be modeled to middle school aged students using LEGO's, a GPS unit and GIS. Youth engaged can achieve learning outcomes in biology and geography while thinking geospatially and gaining awareness of where their food comes from.
This lesson is one of many from GEAR-Tech-21, a National Science Foundation-funded program available nation-wide integrating GIS, GPS and robotics for a club, camp, after-school or classroom environment. Youth explore through building and programming a robot, geo- tracking, navigation and mapmaking activities. Leaders have step-by-step guides and training provided.