The STEP Model

In the real world, space is vital. Yet, for a century and a half, science has been dominated by specialized disciplines that routinely ignore geographic space. Process is, of course, the Holy Grail of science, and understanding space is essential to the discovery and explanation of real-world processes. The space, time, entity, and process (STEP) model envisions a future science more closely aligned with the real world. The new spatially enabled science also implies increased scientific integration across entities and disciplines both physical and cultural; improved connections to real-world entities through GIS, remote sensing, popular geographics, and fieldwork; and greater emphasis on place-based research.

See also "Through the Macroscope: Geography's View of the World."