ArcSchool Reader: K–12 Education
Welcome to ArcSchool Reader, a periodic e-newsletter from the ESRI Education team. Each issue provides a quick glimpse of software news; user stories; reminders; and hints about tools, data, and support covering the use of GIS in primary and secondary schools (K-12 education).
In this Issue
Software News
ArcExplorer—Java Edition for Education 2 New!
Many teachers have been discovering the power of basic tools. ArcExplorer—Java Edition for Education ("AEJEE"), released in summer 2004, is a successful introductory tool for Windows and Macintosh OSX. It can use data from local drives or ArcIMS servers, permit custom classification and symbolization, and ingest XY tables. The newest version, released this month, includes a handful of key upgrades: previous/next extent buttons, hotlink capacity, layout function, zoom to specific scale, and a new instruction manual with new data and projects, plus numerous behind-the-scenes improvements. AEJEE2 is available for free download.
GEODE and My World GIS
For several years, ESRI has been working with Northwestern University in support of education initiatives and GIS research. The Geographic Data in Education (GEODE) Initiative created a curricular package which engages ArcView 3 and ArcGIS Spatial Analyst. Investigations in Environmental Science is available from It's About Time. Another GEODE project has yielded a GIS package called My World GIS, now distributed by Pasco Scientific. The recently announced version 4.0 incorporates portions of ESRI's MapObjects-Java technology such as the ability to link to ArcIMS data sites. Built in Java, My World GIS runs on Macintosh OSX and Windows environments and provides an alternative for schools seeking tools designed expressly for education. Learn more about My World GIS.
Data News
Community Sourcebook-America with ArcReader CD-ROM
ESRI releases some excellent datasets. A powerful one for users of ArcView in education is the Community Sourcebook-America with ArcReader CD-ROM. This annual package contains current-year updates and five-year projections, with information about population, households, income, business data, consumer expenditures, and ESRI's Community Tapestry segmentation data. Data for the entire United States is available at state, county, Designated Market Area, Core Based Statistical Area, and ZIP Code levels, all on a single CD. Data can be exported for incorporating in ArcView projects or can be viewed directly with ArcReader and the on-board projects. A single CD can be used for instructional purposes throughout a K-12 school. If you don't require the absolute latest data, CDs from previous years are available for steep discounts while supplies last. View purchase information or call 800-447-9778.
Support News
SPACESTARS and SkillsUSA
ESRI business partners DigitalQuest and Berkeley GeoResearch Group have been creating curriculum packages to introduce GIS, GPS, and remote sensing. The three basic packages (GEODESY, a single-course introduction; STARS, a four-course program; and SPACE, a series of community-based application courses) range from introductory materials appropriate for middle school to customized, industry-focused packages appropriate for college, with GIS certification pathways available. SkillsUSA has picked up on the power of GIS and is offering a competition (college level only, this year). Many high schools have SkillsUSA chapters and should begin asking about similar competition in 2007. See www.digitalquest.com for more information.
ESRI Community Atlas
ESRI's U.S. Community Atlas is a project in which teachers and students define the nature of "their communities" and post descriptions and maps about them. These small presentations (10-20 maps, 1,000-2,500 words) are combined on the Web and can be explored for similarities and differences. The Web site contains full guidelines and templates, pointers to free data and free mapping options, plus model projects from each year. In addition to getting their community's description publicly posted, schools contributing projects that meet the guidelines earn software or other educational resources. The deadline for submissions has been extended to May 26, 2006. Read more at www.esri.com/communityatlas.
User News
Maine Techni-Kids on the Move
The Techni-Kids on the Move project at Bowdainham Community School in Maine was selected as community award winner in the 2006 Contest for Communities sponsored by the Maine Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Sports, Health, and Wellness. With GPS and GIS, two walking trails (indoor and outdoor) were created by the Techni-Kids and listed on the Healthy Maine Walks Web site. The walks and the community mapping project are posted on the ESRI Community Atlas site. See more about GIS in 4-H at www.esri.com/4-h.
EAST Project ESRI Competition
Environmental and Spatial Technology (EAST), a 10-year exploration into a different way of doing school, has shown that, given a chance, middle school and high school students can put together some very powerful projects. For the 2006 EAST conference, ESRI asked students to submit projects in a competition. The top prize was awarded to Magnolia (Arkansas) High School where students did a bus-routing project for buses serving students with special needs; honorable mentions were awarded to Eureka (California) High School (historical mapping for a local Native American tribe) and Eureka Springs (Arkansas) High School (updating maps and data of streets and hydrants for the local fire department). See more about EAST at www.eastproject.org/.
Calendar, Upcoming Events
Local GIS User Group Meetings
GIS Day (everywhere, any day)
National Science Teachers Association
Anaheim, CA
April 6–9, 2006
Deadline for ESRI Community Atlas
May 26, 2006
Deadline for Map Gallery submissions for ESRI Education User Conference
June 16, 2006
Registration for ESRI Education User Conference
June 23, 2006
National Educational Computing Conference
San Diego, CA
July 5–7, 2006
National 4-H Youth Technology Leadership Conference
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
July 24–28, 2006
ESRI Education User Conference
San Diego, CA
August 5–8, 2006
ESRI International User Conference
San Diego, CA
August 7–11, 2006
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