Integrating Geospatial Technologies into K-12 Education Regina Scotchie (escotchie@access.k12.wv.us) West Virginia Department of Education Todd Ensign (todd.ensign@ivv.nasa.gov) NASA IV&V Facility Educator Resource Center Rick Landenberger (rick.landenberger@mail.wvu.edu) West Virginia University, America View Kevin Kuhn (kevin.kuhn@mail.wvu.edu) West Virginia GIS Technical Center Amy Blankenship (amy.blankenship@rti.org) Rahall Transportation Institute, Mountwest CTC

West Virginia Department of Education Regina Scotchie West Virginia Department of Education

ArcGIS Summer Training Camp Dates: July 26-30 Location: Geology/Geography Labs in Brooks Hall at WVU Topics: GIS Software training using ArcVeiw from ESRI GPS Training Thinking Spatially Mapping locally and historically Data gathering and implementation Map making GeoMentor Introductions Support Network Materials: GPS handheld device ArcGIS Software Mapping Our World Books I, II, III General supplies and bags

ArcGIS Summer Training Camp Trainers: Lyn Malone, social studies specialist and ESRI trainer, author Kathryn Keranen, science specialist and ESRI trainer, author Dr. Joseph Jereski, ESRI education manager GeoMentors: Dr. Rick Landenberger, Amy Blankenship, Kevin Kuhn, Todd Ensign Sponsors: WVDE, WVU, ESRI, NASA IV&V, WV Geographic Alliance, WV View, RTI, NSF Partners: WVDE social studies, science, and career technical offices, WV GIS Technology Center, ESRI, WV Geographic Alliance, WVU, Rahall Transportation Institute, USGS, County K-12 school systems, Higher Ed. Institutes

ArcGIS Summer Training Camp Master Teaches of: Social Studies Science Career Technical Also inviting Technology Integration Specialists First of its kind for WV elementary and secondary educators Learn to operate industry standard GIS software from ESRI and implement it in the assigned curriculum Student engagement is key as students move from reading maps, tables, charts, and graphs in their textbooks to actually pulling together the required data to create them and use them for problem-solving scenarios

ArcGIS Summer Training Camp Goals include: Integrate GIS into content area Learn to think spatially Learn to research local, national and international current and historical data Engage in field work to gather local data with GPS unit Incorporate new skills and teaching strategies to promote critical thinking and problem solving that is cross-cultural as well as content specific Create a draft of the first lesson plan for the class Network with peers Establish communication between the teachers and the volunteer GeoMentors

NASA IV&V Facility Educator Resource Center Todd Ensign NASA IV&V Facility Educator Resource Center

West Virginia University, America View Rick Landenberger West Virginia University, America View

K-12 Geospatial Professional Development West Virginia View and AmericaView

West Virginia View Geospatial Education 2005-2009 WVU Geology & Geography – Support NASA IV&V Partnership – LU and Hydrology Glenville State – LU, Hydrology, Phenology GLOBE, SATELLITES, NSF - WVWD

Coordinated Activities, “Field Campaigns”

Barriers to Implementation 1.) Lack of Administrative Support Don’t see the merit Don’t see the connection(s) to CSO’s 2.) Imperfect Technology Comp labs outdated, or poor IT support Internet connections problematic (firewalls, etc.) Use of software itself can be a problem 3.) Content and Skills Spatial Thinking (Geographic mindset) isn’t natural Digital Natives? Not! (at least not majority) 4.) Teachers don’t have the time; they’re overwhelmed

Opportunities - Keys to Success 1.) Quality training that’s enjoyable – science content, tech skills, map to CSO’s 2.) Gain support from administration – planning time and IT support 3.) Be realistic, start with simple lessons – local relevance is critical 4.) Make support easily available – Geomentors! 5.) Foster cooperation between teachers – coaches, “master teachers”, etc. 6.) Persevere – know that it can be done

West Virginia GIS Technical Center Kevin Kuhn West Virginia GIS Technical Center

Rahall Transportation Institute, Mountwest CTC Amy Blankenship Rahall Transportation Institute, Mountwest CTC

INVOLVED??? BORED???

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin