Sixth form students from schools across London and the South East (Millais School, Roding Valley High School, and Streatham and Clapham High School) took part in a day of activities on Wednesday 16 November to mark GIS Day. The event was run by Esri UK in partnership with the Society.
To celebrate GIS Day, Jason Sawle, Education Consultant at Esri UK, led a day of activities at the Society aimed at improving pupils’ abilities and confidence with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). GIS is a required element of the National Curriculum for geography and in GCSE and A Level geography courses.
After an introduction to ArcGIS, the students went out into Hyde Park and used fieldwork apps on their phones to take noise (decibel) reading at different locations around the park. The students then learnt how to map and analyse the collated data.
GIS Day formed part of Geography Awareness Week (13-19 November) and is a highly relevant example of how technology can complement and enhance geographical fieldwork and analysis.
Describing GIS Day’s benefits, Kate Stockings, Head of Geography at Roding Valley High School, said:
“GIS Day allowed our students to both gain new skills and realise the value of competency in GIS. They came away from the day knowing how GIS would benefit them in their A Level studies, but also the broader application of these skills at University and for gaining employment.”
Esri UK supports the Society’s Geography Ambassador Scheme which promotes the value of studying geography at GCSE and A Level to further study and careers.
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