ArcSchool Reader: K–12 Education
Welcome to ArcSchool Reader, a periodic e-newsletter from the ESRI Education team. Each issue provides a quick glimpse of software news; user stories; reminders; and hints about tools, data, and support covering the use of GIS in primary and secondary schools (K-12 education).
In this Issue
Software News
New ArcGIS Extension: ArcSketch
A new tool has just been made available for free download. ArcSketch is a free sample extension for ArcGIS that allows you to create features quickly in ArcMap with easy-to-use sketch tools. Users can create and edit sketches without having to plan ahead, and the sketched features can be converted into standard features and shared. Download the installer and tutorial.
New ArcExplorer—Java Edition for Education 2
The latest release of ArcExplorer—Java Edition for Education (AEJEE) includes some exciting new features for those interested in a free, downloadable introductory tool that works on both Windows and Macintosh OS X. The newest version includes previous/next extent buttons, hotlink capacity, layout function, zoom to specific scale, in addition to new data and projects. AEJEE 2 is available for free download. The installation creates a Lessons folder, which includes a 50-page manual (PDF) to get you started, and more lessons are available online
Data News
Hurricane Data
The year 2005 carried painful reminders that summer brings hurricanes to North America. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released on the Internet a series of excellent teaching resources about hurricanes. There are a number of preparedness materials plus analyses of past storms. You can find static and animated maps in addition to data that can be combined within GIS tools. See the full range of resources. You also can download shapefiles of several key 2005 storms from the ESRI Canada Schools & Libraries Program Web site.
Tornado Data
Summer also brings tornadoes to the plains of North America. The U.S. National Atlas contains a dataset showing tornadoes from 1950 to 2004. You can map it online using the Map Maker option. You can also download the data, choosing the Mapping Professionals option, then Raw Data, then Climate. It's a sobering reminder of the power of these local storms. Students in some schools have taken on the task of mapping existing sirens relative to population and deciding the best place for a new one.
Support News
Mapping Our World: ArcGIS Desktop Edition
The response to the ArcGIS version of Mapping Our World has been just as positive as it was for the ArcView 3 version. Teachers and students love the detailed lesson presentations! PDF versions of the lessons were not on the original CDs but have been posted online. Users still need a regular copy of the book in to have the datasets and projects, but you can now use the PDF versions to facilitate printing or to carry a lightweight version between school and home office. Go to Mapping Our World: ArcGIS Desktop Edition and click Resources by Module to access the PDF versions.
Think Globally, Act Regionally: GIS and Data Visualization for Social Science and Public Policy Research
This new book shows how GIS technology can be applied in social science and public policy courses. Think Globally, Act Regionally explores important questions that will challenge upper level students confronting issues such as open space, air pollution, social justice, and global vision. The book includes exercises that require the use of ArcView 9 and the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension. See this and other great books from ESRI Press.
User News
My Wonderful World
There's a big problem that we all face. Geography is vital for understanding the world, but our kids aren't getting enough of it. My Wonderful World, which launched on May 2, is a campaign led by National Geographic and supported by ESRI. You can participate by going to the Web site and accessing the tools and tips for helping your family explore the world, sharing the classroom resources with educators, and directing friends of all ages to the test of global IQ.
Virginia Acquires Statewide GIS License
The Department of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia has acquired access to ArcView plus the Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst extensions for its public middle and high schools. The Geospatial Instructional Applications Initiative has organized a series of summer training events to help Virginia's teachers get up and running. The vision and energy for this effort started with the Office of Career and Technical Education, which is collaborating with Virginia Tech to implement the program. Virginia joins the District of Columbia, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah in making software available across the state.
Calendar: Key Events
Local GIS User Group Meetings
GIS Day (everywhere, any day)
Deadline for ESRI Community Atlas
May 26, 2006
Deadline for submissions to Map Gallery of ESRI Education User Conference
June 16, 2006
Registration Deadline for ESRI Education User Conference
June 23, 2006
National Educational Computing Conference
San Diego, CA
July 5–7, 2006
National 4-H Youth Technology Leadership Conference
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
July 24–28, 2006
ESRI Education User Conference
San Diego, CA
August 5–8, 2006
ESRI International User Conference
San Diego, CA
August 7–11, 2006
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