Mapping Our Future: GIS

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and City Planning for High School Students

The mapping program (using GIS software) is designed as a foundation school-community project on which to build service learning and work-based learning programs. It increases tech skills and science and math knowledge in students and is offered to the schools (1) to incorporate into the curriculum and coordinate with class projects and/or (2) to develop as a "special project" for a team of students with an after school program. When designed as a Community Asset Mapping Service-Learning Program for a school, it enables a team of students to develop a data map of resources in the community in which the school is located, to better integrate the school with its community, and to lay the groundwork for well structured service-learning and work-based learning programs created with local organizations.

Examples of school-community mapping programs designed as project-based learning programs are: charting local to global demographic changes, local to global environmental changes, planning and assessing community renewal programs, evaluating community health needs, etc, any of which foster skills needed for a changing workplace while cultivating citizen engagement and community leadership skills. Some examples of after-school programs and community groups which can be aligned with these projects are community arts and advocacy groups, environmental, community health and development groups, local businesses and planning boards. The program also enables schools to strengthen the connection of students to mainstream activities and people from diverse environments; at-risk students are often isolated from an understanding of how the mainstream world works and people of diverse cultures, these interactions are an added benefit to their potential for future success in an increasingly diverse workplace.

Click here for the St. Raymond's GIS story!

Community Resources

The Mapping Programs enable schools to create data maps and directories of a wide range of community resources (schools are often isolated from the communities in which they are located). These resources may be businesses, youth groups, health services, tutoring services, community boards, local arts groups, colleges, hospitals, mentors, etc. Once a data set is created, the school can develop relationships with organizations on a well thought out and strategic basis. The mapping projects also enable schools to chart safe spaces in the community and possible hazards, which with community involvement, may be altered. This engagement with the community can take many forms and include the ability to develop a variety of sustaining partnerships (including mentoring and sustaining financial support) for continuity of school-community programs.