| Integrating Geospatial Technology into the Iowa Middle and High School Curriculum |
Geospatial technology (GST) refers to any technology
designed for the collection, storage, retrieval, or
dissemination of geospatial information that facilitates
better spatial decision-making. The use of GST is growing at
an astounding rate and GST related job form the third
fastest growing occupational sector in the United States.
This tremendous growth is spurring the need to integrate GST
into K-12 and higher education curriculum to prepare
students for future academic demands and career
opportunities. This has recently been underscored by
articles in publications ranging from Occupational Outlook
Quarterly to Nature. However, although spatial thinking is
included as an underlying principle in the National
Standards for Science and Mathematics, it has not been
systematically incorporated into the K-12 curriculum in Iowa
or elsewhere. A number of challenges exist to its successful
incorporation: teacher training, curriculum integration,
equipment purchase, and availability of curriculum material.
Our project addresses each of these challenges. The goal of
our project includes 1) the design, development,
implementation, and testing of GST curriculum for grades
7-12; 2) GST education for Iowa teachers; and 3) the
development of a web-portal for disseminating the materials
developed in this project to others. The project also
assists teachers in acquiring the hardware and software they
need to implement GST curriculum.
Project Status: Planned for within a year |
Carver Foundation (awaiting result) |
Price Laboratory School (UNI) and Four other school
districts across Iowa
|
Ramanathan Sugumaran
Associate Professor and GeoTREE Director
University of Northern Iowa
319-273-3816
|
