The National Governors Association recently honored Esri with its Public-Private Partnership Award, which recognizes those companies that have partnered with a state to implement a program, project, or service that positively impacts its citizens.
Esri was nominated by New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan for its work with New Hampshire schools to improve science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education through the implementation of a statewide GIS license that provides access to geospatial technology to more than 200,000 students.
“The partnership between New Hampshire, Esri, and numerous other stakeholders has made it possible for New Hampshire students to learn and apply 21st-century geospatial concepts using Esri’s ArcGIS software,” Hassan writes in her nomination letter. “This partnership allows every public and private school in the state unprecedented access to Esri’s state-of-the-art GIS tools for use in education and research. Recognized nonformal education groups, such as 4-H Clubs, scout groups, and Boys and Girls Clubs, also have access to the software.”
Lara Bryant, geography professor at Keene State College and coordinator of the New Hampshire Geography Alliance (NHGA), said “NHGA was interested in the statewide license but knew that we would need partners to provide the professional development. The formation of NHEdGIS, whose members include the New Hampshire Department of Education, the New Hampshire Geographic Alliance, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Geospatial Technologies Training Center [GTTC], and New Hampshire Fish and Game, has proved to be very successful. Each group provides different expertise, and we have been able to accomplish more together than we would have been able to separately.”
The New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game supports teachers and students in their classroom use of GIS to gather, display, analyze, and share data about the state’s natural resources.
Kevin Heany, social studies teacher at Monadnock Regional High School, says, “Our environmental studies students have been actively involved in collecting data from the nearby Asheulot River. Giving them the opportunity with ArcGIS to map and visualize their own data, as well as the capability to actively participate in monitoring the water quality, is exciting.”
“To have our work supporting education across the country and the world recognized by the National Governors Association is truly humbling,” says Jack Dangermond, president of Esri. “We thank Governor Hassan for the nomination and are proud to encourage greater participation in STEM education among students. The network of teachers in New Hampshire is a model for all. They are unquenchable in their thirst for GIS skills and passionate and tireless in sharing these with kids and other educators.”
For more information, contact Charlie Fitzpatrick, Esri.
