Mapping software available for public schools and youth clubs

Teaching students how to solve problems effectively may get easier with the help of mapping software.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction signed an agreement with software company Esri that will provide all K–12 schools, districts, and formal youth clubs in Washington state with free access to Esri's ArcGIS, a geographic information system (GIS) package that lets users create maps and data.

“We've got to teach kids how to analyze information and solve problems,” said Randy Dorn, state superintendent. “These are the skills that count in today's world. And we know in the classroom or when students get to do real fieldwork, GIS technology helps kids learn these skills.”

Because of the unique ability of GIS to visualize spatial data – making complex concepts clear and understandable – teachers are quick to take advantage of the strong instructional support it provides in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

While the statewide license is new, individual schools in Washington have been using ArcGIS for several years. At Waterville Elementary, fourth-grade students study and map the habits of the short-horned lizard as an annual class project. Working closely with scientists at the University of Washington and local farmers, these young scientists have altered the understanding of the region's ecosystem and biodiversity.

Dennis Small, director of educational technology at OSPI, said "Most problem–solution activities in the core curricula have a spatial component, so we want to put GIS in the hands of Washington state teachers as a tool that can expand the way kids think about solving a problem.”

The four-year statewide GIS license has the potential to strengthen K-12 curricula and teaching strategies, and is set to become a key software component of the STARS Project, an online system that enables Washington school districts to submit school bus operation data for review and analysis. ArcGIS will manage the calculation and distribution of student transportation funds to the districts based on the state's new funding formula.

Visit Esri's GIS for Schools program for more information.