Today, it is important that our youth embrace technological advancements as a means to heighten their abilities, connect with their communities, and prepare for the real-world workforce. GIS technology is quickly growing to be a critical tool in numerous industries around the world. In 2000, the number of professionals using GIS as a part of their job in the United States approached 500,000 with an equal number in the rest of the world. The numbers continue to grow at about 15 percent every year, which has pushed the job market demand for people with GIS coursework to approximately 75,000 per year. The people who fill these jobs will need skills in geographic inquiry and subject matter content that use geospatial technologies. The growing number of youth who are embracing GIS technology through school programs, community projects, and outreach programs bodes well for the countless industries that need their expertise.

GIS gives young people many opportunities to learn critical thinking and problem solving skills, become active community participants, and gain key workforce skills. The technology enables them to explore and answer personal and community geographic questions and investigate possible solutions to real-world problems. Many nonprofit programs and other community organizations recognize the importance of teaching GIS and other geospatial technologies as they work with schools and community groups to bring these technologies to youth. In return, the younger generation is able to contribute solutions and ideas it might not have otherwise been able to create. When students begin to explore and experience the world around them, their ideas and contributions will soar. The stories in this section represent youth who embraced GIS and embarked on a journey to make a difference.

For more information on GIS and students, visit www.esri.com/k-12.