Category Archives: Geography Awareness Week

Day 5 GAW: Have you discovered the Iowa Geographic Map Server?

  • elevation maps (LiDAR and USGS topographic maps),
  • historical maps (General Land Office survey maps from 1800s, Andreas Atlas, historic topography),
  • land cover maps (historical and contemporary)
  • geology (landforms and bedrock)

Day 2 – GAW 2023: Contribute to OPENSTREETMAP and MapRoulette

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a publicly created and maintained map of the world – the Wikipedia for maps. Anyone with access to an internet browser can view the map and can sign up for a free OpenStreetMap account to edit and update the map. Edits to the map are reviewed and validated by other members of the community. If you are new to OpenStreetMap, visit their welcome page to a short introduction: https://osmgeoweek.org/guides/intro.

Here are several ways to get engaged with OpenStreetMap:

~ Review your local OSM basemap for accuracy and consider adding community features that are missing or need updating.

~ Spend time working on a Humanitarian OpenStreetMap project. For a current list of priority project visit: https://tasks.hotosm.org/explore

~ Only have a little bit of time? Consider MapRoulette, the game of mini mapping challenges, it breaks OSM work into snack-sized “challenges.” Earn points by fixing validation issues, turning nodes into areas, adding missing tags, and through countless other little tasks that contribute to a healthier map.

Happy Geography Awareness Week 2023 – The Power of Place

It’s that time of year again! We are celebrating Geography Awareness Week! November 13-17, 2023

The History of Geography Awareness Week:

Thirty-six years ago, the National Geographic Society advocated to create Geography Awareness Week. Geography Awareness Week is a way to celebrate and raise awareness of geography, both as a discipline and as a part of daily life. The National Geographic Society felt the limited exposure to geography in American education was a dangerous deficiency. Without proper exposure to geography, students are unable to make effective decisions, understand geo-spatial and geo-political issues, or even recognize their impacts as global citizens.
— see more at the National Geographic Website

To learn more about exciting careers in geography and the National Geographic MapMaker tool by visiting the National Geographic webpage: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/education-resources/programs/geography-awareness-week/

Mapping Masterminds Challenge as part of GIS Day 2023

GIS Day is around the corner…please join us for festivities in the Parks Library in Ames, Iowa on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. For GIS Day details: https://www.gis.iastate.edu/gis-day-2023. Also if you have a StoryMap or GIS app or GIS poster or regular paper map – please enter the mapping competition. The competition is open to all, i.e. anyone else reading this, we want to see your mapping skills. 🙂 There will be prizes! https://tinyurl.com/mappingmasterminds

Celebrate with us today! 30 years of GIS at ISU!!!

Today is GIS Day! We are celebrating in the North atrium of the College of Design. Today is an especially exciting celebration as we are also celebrating the 30th anniversary of the ISU GIS Facility on campus and 50 years of the US Landsat, earth observing satellite mission. Please join us in the College of Design from 11:30am to 2:00 pm. We will have several activities, puzzles, refreshments, educational giveaways, and door prizes.

For additional information and directions, visit: https://www.design.iastate.edu/event-listings/2022/11/gis-day-open-house-event/.

Happy Geography Awareness Week 2022!

This week we are celebrating Geography Awareness Week!

The History of Geography Awareness Week:

Thirty-five years ago, the National Geographic Society advocated to create Geography Awareness Week. Geography Awareness Week is a way to celebrate and raise awareness of geography, both as a discipline and as a part of daily life. The National Geographic Society felt the limited exposure to geography in American education was a dangerous deficiency. Without proper exposure to geography, students are unable to make effective decisions, understand geo-spatial and geo-political issues, or even recognize their impacts as global citizens.
— see more at the National Geographic Website

To learn more about the exciting adventures and careers in geography, visit the National Geographic Explorers webpage: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/our-explorers/.

Geography Awareness Week Events You Won’t Want to Miss!

Please consider joining our in-person event in the College of Design in Ames, Iowa. Here are a few virtual events taking place during Geography Awareness Week:

Monday, November 14, 2022 – 10 am (Central) – People, Plants, and You! presented by Maria Fadiman – Join National Geographic Explorer Maria Fadiman to learn how people connect with plants around the globe–and the importance of geography! https://www.nationalgeographic.org/tickets/explorer-classroom/event/PeoplePlantsAndYou/

Wednesday, November 16, 2022 – 10 am to 4pm – 2022 GeoTech Center Virtual GIS Day
Speakers will present on a number of GIS related topics throughout the day – View Agenda https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/23b6ae31a4e8443290a6efbd868b4c20

Wednesday, November 16, 2022 – 1 pm (Central) – Live GIS Day Facebook Live Event with Joseph Kerski
Join geographer, educator, and GIS professional Joseph Kerski to (1) Celebrate the users of GIS, (2) Explore why maps and geotechnologies are relevant to 21st Century problem-solving, and (3) Discover how you can make your own maps and pursue your own learning! https://fb.me/e/3PtnqfMUz

Thursday, November 17, 2022 – 1 pm (Central) – The Art and Science of Sustainability presented by E Wen Wong – Learn how National Geographic Explorer E Wen Wong’s organization relies on both art and science to illustrate how we are impacting the environment and to inspire positive environmental change.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/tickets/explorer-classroom/event/ArtandScienceofSustainability2/

Are you Counting Down to GIS Day 2022?

Wednesday, November 16, 2022, the Iowa State University GIS Facility will be hosting an open house event for GIS Day from 11:30 to 2:00 in the North atrium of the College of Design.

This year we will also be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the ISU GIS Facility and 50 years of Landsat, the US Land Satellite mission. We will have refreshments and giveaways. It will be a chance for students interested in the GIS minor and GIS certificate programs to ask questions and to meet with GIS professionals. We have confirmed professionals from the Iowa Department of Transportation coming to showcase some of their work. If other GIS professionals are interested in reserving time to meet with students, please contact Amy Logan.