Geospatial Education Collaborative Advanced Technology Education
Promoting Collaboration Between Schools and the Workplace
GEC Project Overview
Project Goals:
- Develop geospatial curriculum for increased enrollment and improved matriculation
- Expand geospatial workforce opportunities for students and graduates
- Increase awareness of geospatial technologies in schools and the community
Project Principals:
- Dan Scollon (Principal Investigator); Shasta College
- Melinda Kashuba; Shasta College
- Jacque Chase; California State University, Chico
- LaDona Knigge; California State University, Chico
- Chris Lewis; California State University, Chico and Ridge GeoTech
Project Partners:
- Students and Shasta College and Chico State GIS Programs
- Teachers interested in incorporating geospatial technologies
- Shasta County Transportation Planning Agency, City of Chico and other agencies
- Vestra Resources, Enplan and other private sector GIS firms
Learn more at GEC Grant Details.
GEC Project Initiatives
Objectives:
- Develop a new course in geospatial technologies to meet general education requirements for Associates and transfer degrees
- Address societal implications of geospatial technologies including their role in changing geographic perception, social equity and privacy
- Engage the general student population in geospatial technologies and increase enrollments in GIS Certificate program courses
- Align similar courses at Shasta College and Chico State to ensure course articulation and matriculation of students from Shasta College to Chico State
Progress:
- New course called Digital Planet (GEOG 5) written and approved by Shasta College Curriculum and General Education Committees, and approved for the California State University system general education transfer pattern
- New course called GIS and Society: Our Digital Planet (GEOG 103) proposed for Chico State Geography Majors and revised General Education Pathways
- Shasta College and Chico State faculty collaborative on course content and digital delivery through Chico State's Academy E-Learning program
Objectives:
- Provide a benefit to the community through the collaboration of education, government, and private-sector entities
- Develop an interactive atlas of composite health and well-being measures for community access and improved decision making
- Expose Shasta College students to working with experts in GIS and public health
- Incorporate well-being atlas into the regional GIS data server to be housed at Shasta College
Progress:
- Convened a project team that meets monthly to scope and direct the project
- Identified well-being indicators, data sources and GIS approaches to implementation
- Produced a series of initial maps of population well-being
- Initiated planning for project dissemination
Objectives:
- Expand Internship opportunities and placement for students in worksites that employ GIS and other geospatial technologies
- Work with students and employers to meet worksite needs and expectations
Progress:
- Placement of 12 students during the Spring semester, from both Shasta College and Chico State
- Employers include Cities of Chico and Redding, Shasta County (IT, Transportation Planning), Shasta Land Trust, Vestra, Enplan, BLM, Bella Vista Water District
Objectives:
- Expose elementary, middle and high school students to geospatial technologies
- Provide curriculum and activities that meet California education standards
- Show students and teachers that geospatial technologies are both cool and relevant
Progress:
- Developed training materials for teachers and students
- Conducted workshops and trainings for over ten school classes and community events
- Workshops and trainings were customized to grade-level and target audience