Mark your calendars for these upcoming Fall GIS events that will be happening – both on campus and elsewhere in Iowa.
All are welcome. Contact Amy Logan for questions, parking, or more details.
UPCOMING OCTOBER GIS EVENTS:
1) Earth Observation Day – Tuesday, October 13 – 11am to 1:00pm – The Catalyst – Park Library 199 - Register today
Open for additional event details and to register for pizza
The ISU GIS Facility and IowaView are collaborating with Digital Scholarship and Initiatives to celebrate Earth Observation Day as part of Earth Science Week 2026. Dr. David Green will be presenting about his work. Then we will have a OpenStreetMap Introductory Workshop followed by a mapathon. Pizza is available for those who register in advance. Register today.
Schedule:
11:00 – 11:30: Dr. David Green, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. Dr. Green presents “Mapping the Hydrogeography of Drained Depressions on the Des Moines Lobe of Iowa”
11:30 – 12:00: OpenStreetMap Introductory workshop. We will discuss the origins of OpenStreetMap. The discussion will talk about used for humanitarian efforts in community development, health outreach, and disaster preparedness and response. Participants will learn how to use the browser-based OpenStreetMap interface to create quality data.
12:00 – 1:00: OpenStreetMap Mapathon. Now put your new skills into practice by contributing to current mapping projects both in Iowa and around the world.
2) Iowa Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference, "Social Studies: Setting the Standard." - October 19, 2026 - Scheman Building, Ames, Iowa - Registration
Lean more about the ICSS Conference and Amy’s presentation
Link to Iowa Council for Social Studies Conference
Amy will be presenting, “An Introduction to the Iowa Geographic Map Server and Iowa Geospatial Data Clearinghouse”
Presenter: Amy Logan, Iowa State University, GIS Facility
This hands-on session will introduce two great Iowa resources, the Iowa Geographic Map Server (IGMS) and the Iowa Geospatial Data Clearinghouse. The IGMS presentation will cover useful statewide layers, including historical photo layers from the 1930s to the present, land surveys, the Andreas Atlas, soils data, LiDAR, and more! It will also demonstrate features on the IGMS website, including setting up the historical map swipe tool, sharing maps, bookmarking, and basic printing. We will discuss another source for Iowa data, the Iowa Geospatial Data Clearinghouse. Bring your questions. Walk away with new confidence to use this technology in your classroom.
3) Free Esri MOOC - The Power of Where: Communicating with Maps– 6 week class - starts October 21,2026
4) Iowa GIS Women’s Meetup – Wednesday, October 28 – 4pm to 6pm - The New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar (321 E. Walnut, Des Moines, IA 50309) - Registration
SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE NOVEMBER GIS EVENTS:
5) ArcGIS AI Assistants – Wednesday, November 4 - 1pm to 2pm – The Catalyst – Park Library 199 – Registration
Open for additional class description
AI assistants in ArcGIS use the power of generative AI to streamline everyday workflows. This workshop will show how to access, utilize, and maximize the potential of the AI assistants within the Esri product line.
6) ArcGIS Pro Essentials Class - November 12-13, 2026 -ISU Extension Geospatial Technology Program - Economic Development Core Facility, Iowa State University Research Park, 1805 Collaboration Pl Ames, IA 50010 – Registration
7) GIS Day – Wednesday, November 18 – 9am to 12:30pm – The Catalyst – Park Library 199 – Drop-In Event – https://www.gis.iastate.edu/about/gis-day/
Open to learn more about GIS Day
GIS Day at Iowa State University is an annual celebration dedicated to the exploration and promotion of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial sciences. Hosted collaboratively by the ISU GIS Support and Research Facility and Parks Library, this event welcomes everyone.
8) Eastern Iowa GIS Users Group GIS Day - Wednesday, November 18 – 8am to 3pm - Wickiup Hill Learning Center, 10260 Morris Hills Road, Toddville, IA 52341 – Registration
