ESRI GIS Grants for U.S. 4-H Programs

ESRI GIS Program for U.S. 4–H Grant Recipients

The 2009 ESRI GIS Grants for U.S. 4-H Programs were awarded to over 60 4-H clubs in the United States. The 2010 ESRI GIS Grants for U.S. 4-H Program information will be available at this site on Oct 1, 2009. The 2010 grant application deadline will be Dec. 1, 2009.

Under the 2004–2009 GIS Grant for U.S. 4-H program, ESRI has awarded 4-H clubs in more than 700 U.S. counties with ArcView and ArcPad software and Virtual Campus training. GIS technology is being used by youth to help make a difference in their community service projects.  The 2009 Getting Started with GIS and GPS grant level was introduced for 4-H clubs not already familiar with GPS or GIS technologies and whose leaders are interested in introducing spatial literacy to youth at a basic level.

National 4-H GIS/GPS Technology Leadership Team youth and adults have been easily recognizable at the ESRI Education User Conference and the International User Conference in their vivid blue 4-H polo shirts. In addition to attending the conferences, the youth provided GPS technical assistance to participants in the Saturday evening Allen Instruments-sponsored GeoTreasure Hunt and gave informal presentations about their projects to conference attendees at the Sunday Evening Welcome. Community service is an important element of 4-H learning. Cabrillo National Monument was the 2007 location of the National 4-H GIS/GPS Technology Leadership Team community service project. In 2008 the National 4-H GIS/GPS Technology Leadership Team service learning project focused on helping the San Diego Animal Humane Society and San Diego County Animal Control staff map the locations for pet shelters that could be used in the event of a disaster situation.

Recipients of the previous GIS Grants for U.S. 4-H have agreed to meet the following provisions as part of their grant:

• Institute or expand the use of GIS in their 4-H club activities.
• Undertake at least one club community GIS service learning project aimed at any of the following: a local social or environmental issue, historical change, general community research, or community sustainability.
• Participate in the ESRI Community Atlas Program.
• Participate in GIS Day by hosting an informational event for local youth, community leaders, and the public.
• Make at least one presentation to other 4-H clubs, youth, and leaders in their state during the grant period.

Dates to Remember

4-H Grant Report Dates
4-H GIS Grant recipients agree to provide the National 4-H GIS/GPS Technology Leadership Team and ESRI with performance reports on the progress of the club after the award. The reports should address and provide a status of the club's progress toward meeting the provisions of the grant along with other club geospatial and community activities of note. Photos (high-resolution JPEGs) and maps may be sent as separate reference documents with the report. Please provide the report in Microsoft^® Word format. The digital reports are to be submitted to 4-HGIS_external@esri.com.

GIS Day
4-H groups may choose to either host or participate in a GIS Day event. It doesn't need to be done on the official GIS Day in November; it may be celebrated any day and combined with events such as state and county fairs, enrollment campaigns, career days, summer camps, Earth Day, and leadership events. You will receive a few fun items for your GIS Day event once you've registered your event at www.gisday.com.

Community Atlas Project
A Community Atlas is 10–20 digital maps about your community (created by 4-H youth) and a 1,000- to 2,500-word description (~100 words per map). Once the leader submits the Community Atlas project and it's accepted, they will be asked what reward they would like to receive. Ask for annual maintenance as your reward—you'll receive the software upgrades for ArcView, ArcGIS Spatial Analyst, and the other extensions you already own (exclusive of CITYgreen). Find out more about the Community Atlas and be sure to read the guidelines before beginning your project as there are specific size and formatting requirements.

Service Learning Project
Undertake at least one club community GIS service learning project aimed at any of the following: a local social or environmental issue, historical change, general community research, or community sustainability. Include your service learning project experience in your required reports.