Geomatics High School Outreach

GIS Laboratory
School of Geography and Earth Sciences

"Supporting the delivery of Geomatics and Spatial Analysis-related courses within the curriculum of the School of Geography and Earth Sciences at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels. Teaching, improving, strengthening and promoting GIS and Science in Secondary education and the community"

Geomatics High School Outreach at McMaster University

Background

Ontario High Schools introduced GIS into their curriculum in September 1999. The integration of the hands-on portion of GIS education was a new area to many teachers and their students. The McMaster Geomatics High School Outreach Program (GHSOP) was created to assist High School teachers and students with this educational challenge.

Goals of the Geomatics High School Outreach Program (GHSOP)

1) Promote and strengthen interest of high school students in Geography, Geotechnologies and Spatial Thinking
2) Educators at the high school level play a key role in the support and development of Geography in Canada. The GHSOP assists in improving confidence and competence of high school educators in teaching Geotechnologies in grades 9, 11 and 12
3) Encourage high school students to become life-long learners of the Sciences, especially Geography
4) Demonstrate how GIS enables creative thought and problem-solving skills, which supports higher levels of learning among students. This results in well-rounded graduates with employable technical and personal-transferable skills.
5) Teach students the ability to apply spatial analysis principles and GIS to many disciplines which can result in creative breakthroughs
6) Demonstrate collaborative use of GIS applications which can then expand the classroom to both the environment and the community.

The Geomatics High School Outreach is available to High School teachers and students in the following ways:

1) Half day hands-on GIS/GPS workshops at McMaster University
2) Hands-on Map Skills workshops at McMaster University (1 hour)
3) Annual GIS Day at McMaster University (includes presentations and hands-on workshops)
4) High School Co-operative Education Program
5) Geomatics High School Educator web resources

Please contact Maureen Padden (paddenm@mcmaster.ca), (905) 525-9140 x22542 for more information, booking a workshop or registering for GIS Day.