Earth Day Connections Between GIS, Environmental Education, and Environmental Science

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04-18-2017 06:13 PM
JosephKerski
Esri Notable Contributor
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I wrote an essay and created a video connecting GIS, environmental education, and environmental science with a goal that these resources would be useful not just on Earth Day, but far beyond.  In the essay, I explore 10 linkages.  The essay and video could be used with students, in a professional development workshop for educators, or with administrators at the primary, secondary, or university levels.  The essay and video begin with the tenet that every environmental issue has a geographic component, and hence can be effectively analyzed using GIS and spatial thinking.  The resources go on to say that not only are environmental studies enhanced by GIS, but conversely, the use of GIS is enhanced by a firm grounding in environmental studies. One of environmental studies’ central themes is examining the interaction between humans and the environment, which can be examined effectively using GIS--urbanization, biodiversity loss, coastal erosion, energy production, access to water, human health, and a host of other issues.  Studying environmental issues with GIS lends relevancy and real-world contexts to these issues, from local to global scales. Teaching about sustainable practices in agriculture, urban development, ecotourism, energy, or any other field using GIS requires a grounding in core concepts in ecology and geography.   Students who use GIS in tandem with environmental studies develop key critical thinking skills. Students immersed in environmental studies at all levels of education can apply geotechnologies to understand environmental issues.

Students who are well grounded in the spatial perspective through GIS are better able to, upon graduation, use data at a variety of scales, in a variety of contexts, think systematically and holistically, use quantitative and qualitative approaches to solve problems. In short, these graduates are better decision makers.  GIS through environmental studies adheres to the tenet that learning is often most effective when it takes place outdoors. Fieldwork has such a long and rich history within environmental studies that it is almost like stating the obvious. However, in a world where outdoor education is often cut due to budgetary constraints, and when a frighteningly large proportion of the population has almost no connection with the outdoors, it bears emphasizing.  Esri offers a variety of tools that students can use to collect and analyze field based data, including those mentioned here.  Given the widespread environmental concerns faced by the modern world, it is imperative that students study and understand about these issues not only to equip them for life in the 21st Century, but to ensure that we emerge at the end of the 21st Century in a sustainable way.  The document includes a resources section that details the maps, tools, web mapping applications, lessons, and other resources that can be effectively used in environmental education. 

Collage showing maps, images, and fieldwork with GIS.

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About the Author
I believe that spatial thinking can transform education and society through the application of Geographic Information Systems for instruction, research, administration, and policy. I hold 3 degrees in Geography, have served at NOAA, the US Census Bureau, and USGS as a cartographer and geographer, and teach a variety of F2F (Face to Face) (including T3G) and online courses. I have authored a variety of books and textbooks about the environment, STEM, GIS, and education. These include "Interpreting Our World", "Essentials of the Environment", "Tribal GIS", "The GIS Guide to Public Domain Data", "International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning with GIS In Secondary Education", "Spatial Mathematics" and others. I write for 2 blogs, 2 monthly podcasts, and a variety of journals, and have created over 5,000 videos on the Our Earth YouTube channel. Yet, as time passes, the more I realize my own limitations and that this is a lifelong learning endeavor and thus I actively seek mentors and collaborators.