16027 Views (as of 05/2023)
  1. David Anderson
  2. Professor
  3. Presenter’s NSFRESOURCECENTERS
  4. Eastern Michigan University
  1. Allison Hoff
  2. GIS Technician for GRACE Project, GIS Graduate Student
  3. Presenter’s NSFRESOURCECENTERS
  4. Eastern Michigan University, IGRE, Eastern Michigan University
  1. Al Lewandowski
  2. http://joyjobs.com/cv/la/lewandowski.htm
  3. Social Studies Content Consultant
  4. Presenter’s NSFRESOURCECENTERS
  5. GRACE Project
  1. Randy Raymond
  2. Geographic Information Specialist
  3. Presenter’s NSFRESOURCECENTERS
  4. Eastern Michigan University, GRACE Project
  1. Andrew Vanden Heuvel
  2. Presenter’s NSFRESOURCECENTERS
  3. Michigan Virtual
Public
Choice

GRACE Program

NSF Awards: 1433712

2015 (see original presentation & discussion)

Grades 9-12

A geographic information system — a computer system that allows users to create interactive searches, analyze spatial information, edit data in maps, and present results in multi-media forms — has valuable applications for fields such as engineering, planning, management, transport/logistics, telecommunications, science, and business. The GRACE Program is a broad partnership to provide technical mentoring and workplace opportunities for the students participating in real world problem solving using GIS applications.

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Discussion from the 2015 Teaching & Learning Video Showcase (21 posts)
  • Icon for: Randy Raymond

    Randy Raymond

    Co-Presenter
    Geographic Information Specialist
    May 11, 2015 | 02:00 p.m.

    As one of the GRACE Program co-presenters we are very interested in opening a dialogue with other projects that have worked to place high schools students into intern positions. We believe students that learn how to make effective use of GIS and related Geospatial tools should use what they learn to work on Community Based Problem Solving activities that can actually be used by the local municipality. I hope some of you will join this discussion. What students learn to do with powerful technologies should be leveraged for the good of the entire community.

  • Icon for: Randy Kochevar

    Randy Kochevar

    Facilitator
    Senior Research Scientist
    May 11, 2015 | 06:08 p.m.

    How is your program specifically geared towards serving under-represented groups? It appears that these groups include racial minorities, economically disadvantaged students, and women – but it isn’t clear how these specific groups are being targeted through the program.

  • Icon for: David Anderson

    David Anderson

    Lead Presenter
    May 12, 2015 | 09:03 a.m.

    In terms of the recruitment of students, the GRACE project is using the resources of the Michigan Mathematics and Science Centers Network and Michigan Communities Association of Mapping Professionals to market the project to students throughout Michigan, paying special attention to students in Michigan’s urban areas (Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Saginaw) and rural areas (especially the Upper Peninsula). Direct technology interventions in these areas are needed because there is a lack of financial resources in these urban areas and instructional resources in rural Michigan. Recruiting throughout the state, and especially targeting these regional areas, means that the materials will be used by students with diverse preparation and knowledge.

  • Icon for: Randy Raymond

    Randy Raymond

    Co-Presenter
    Geographic Information Specialist
    May 11, 2015 | 06:36 p.m.

    Hello Randy Kochevar, we have several teachers and schools currently involved in the GRACE Program from the City of Detroit including both public and charter schools. Other participants come from more rural areas. We are currently actively recruiting teachers from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. One of the GRACE Program partner organizations, the Michigan Math and Science Centers Network has 33 locations in all areas of Michigan. They also are helping to recruit teachers and schools that represent students from underserved populations.

  • Icon for: Ben Sayler

    Ben Sayler

    Facilitator
    Professor of Physical Science and Mathematics
    May 11, 2015 | 09:45 p.m.

    I’m intrigued to know more about the implementation model. What does it mean for a school to participate? Do you provide professional development and curricular materials for teachers? I’m also curious what kind of training and support you might provide to the mentors from industry.

  • Icon for: Randy Raymond

    Randy Raymond

    Co-Presenter
    Geographic Information Specialist
    May 11, 2015 | 09:59 p.m.

    Hi Ben Sayler, the GRACE Program provides professional development for teachers including lessons designed to engage learners from Explorers to Investigators to Interns. One of the GRACE Program partners is the Michigan Community Association of Mapping Professional (MiCAMP). MiCAMP has GIS professional working in communities throughout Michigan. MiCAMP Professionals are helping design the extended investigator lessons, identifying community based problems for the student interns and they are acting as GeoMentors for the GRACE Program teacher participants. The GRACE Program is leveraging the ArcGIS Online for Organizations software that is being provided for free to all K-12 Schools in the United States by ESRI. Training courses from the ESRI Virtual Campus also are being used by the teachers, students and MiCAMP professionals.

  • Icon for: Ben Sayler

    Ben Sayler

    Facilitator
    Professor of Physical Science and Mathematics
    May 11, 2015 | 10:19 p.m.

    Is there a standard amount of professional development and a standard amount of classroom implementation? Are you able to study the implementation, and if so, I’d love to know some of what you’re learning. Thanks!!

  • Icon for: Randy Raymond

    Randy Raymond

    Co-Presenter
    Geographic Information Specialist
    May 12, 2015 | 09:07 a.m.

    Hello Ben, the professional development is divided into two segments. One is an immersive, hands-ons, minds-on training activity that gets the teachers comfortable with ArcGIS Online for Organizations and how to use it educationally. This is a 30 hour experience. The second segment is 30 hrs of blended learning between shorter face to face meetings (4 hrs) connected with Online sharing and learning activities. The teachers then use their new skills to share GRACE Program GIS lessons and activities with their students. We are at the very early stages of getting this project started. You can join us at http://geonet.esri.com, sign up and join the GRACE Project Group. There is a lively exchange of ideas and activities taking place in this social media network around the use of GIS in the classroom and workplace.

  • Icon for: David Anderson

    David Anderson

    Lead Presenter
    May 12, 2015 | 09:10 a.m.

    For the teachers professional development, we are implementing two components: (1) a one week of summer institute; and (2) 30 hours of Professional Development (PD) as the follow-up for continued growth. After the PD, the teachers are required to work with students explorers, investigators, and interns. The standard involvements are listed below,

    1. Students with at least three ArcGIS modules completed will be qualified as Explorers;

    2. Explorers, after successfully completing a minimum of five additional ArcGIS lesson modules and case studies, grow into Investigators;

    3. Investigators, after successfully completing a sequence of six ESRI Virtual Campus technical courses (with grades higher than 80% required for all six courses), meet the requirements as Internship Candidates;

    4. Internship candidates, after being placed in a community or local company and finishing 8-10 weeks of GIS assignment, are called Interns.

  • Sarah Bednarz

    Guest
    May 12, 2015 | 04:37 p.m.

    Too bad you do not feature GEOGRAPHY as one of the STEM subjects for this grant. Is it possible for you to make the globe turn the right way?

    Best of luck on this ambitious project.

  • Icon for: Randy Raymond

    Randy Raymond

    Co-Presenter
    Geographic Information Specialist
    May 12, 2015 | 06:33 p.m.

    Hello Sarah Bednarz, GEOGRAPHY, through the extensive use of GIS and related Geospatial technologies, is at the very core of this NSF-ITEST funded activity. The professional development and lessons are designed to immerse the teachers and students in the use of GEOGRAPHY to better understand and solve real world problems in their communities. Regarding the turning of the globe, thank you for this great observation in future versions we will correct this issue!

  • Dr Kerski

    Guest
    May 12, 2015 | 07:19 p.m.

    Kudos to everyone involved in this important effort. I know many of you and I salute you and I say – keep on waving the GIS banner. It is more important now with our world facing the challenges it is, than ever, and more important now that students have critical thinking skills in the 21st Century.

  • Icon for: Al Lewandowski

    Al Lewandowski

    Co-Presenter
    Social Studies Content Consultant
    May 12, 2015 | 08:59 p.m.

    This means a great deal coming from a GIS leader such as yourself. I agree wholeheartedly with your observation about the need for critical thinking – and practicing GIS exercises all the higher level skills – application, analysis, evaluation and synthesis. One element that helps to provide teachers with an avenue to implementing GIS in the classroom is the career preparation aspect of GIS instruction. I like to tell teachers that GIS can provide an alternative career path for them as well as for their students!

  • Jennifer Crystal

    Guest
    May 13, 2015 | 10:25 a.m.

    Wonderful idea and highly innovative! I wifi forward to a colleague in another state. Thanks, Dr. Saroki!

  • Icon for: Randy Raymond

    Randy Raymond

    Co-Presenter
    Geographic Information Specialist
    May 13, 2015 | 10:30 a.m.

    Thank you Dr. Saroki!

  • Icon for: Jackie DeLisi

    Jackie DeLisi

    Facilitator
    Research Scientist
    May 14, 2015 | 10:22 a.m.

    Great video and a fascinating project. I’m interested to hear more about implementation and the support you provide to both teachers and the schools. Do you include administrators in the PD? Have you collected any data on teachers’ implementation and support needed?

  • Icon for: Randy Raymond

    Randy Raymond

    Co-Presenter
    Geographic Information Specialist
    May 14, 2015 | 12:16 p.m.

    Hello Jackie DeLisi, thank you for the great compliment.

    For the teachers professional development, we are implementing two components: (1) a one week of summer institute; and (2) 30 hours of Professional Development (PD) as the follow-up for continued growth. After the PD, the teachers are required to work with students explorers, investigators, and interns. The standard involvements are listed below,

    1. Students with at least three ArcGIS modules completed will be qualified as Explorers;

    2. Explorers, after successfully completing a minimum of five additional ArcGIS lesson modules and case studies, grow into Investigators;

    3. Investigators, after successfully completing a sequence of six ESRI Virtual Campus technical courses (with grades higher than 80% required for all six courses), meet the requirements as Internship Candidates;

    4. Internship candidates, after being placed in a community or local company and finishing 8-10 weeks of GIS assignment, are called Interns.

    We do include school administrators.

    We are collecting data on both teacher implementation and student learning activities.

  • Icon for: Allison Hoff

    Allison Hoff

    Co-Presenter
    GIS Technician for GRACE Project, GIS Graduate Student
    May 14, 2015 | 01:24 p.m.

    Professional Development is focusing on Michigan Middle and High School teachers.

  • Icon for: Deborah Kariuki

    Deborah Kariuki

    Computer Science Teacher
    May 15, 2015 | 10:12 p.m.

    This is a very timely project and you have tapped into what most STEM initiatives are not currently doing. You are focusing on those underrepresented segments of Michigan (too bad you are not in Texas) and introducing those populations to material and experiences that they would otherwise continue to lack. As a computer science teacher I am tired of hearing from the tech industries how they cannot find qualified works but they are not willing to have students intern in their organization or connect directly with the classroom teachers instead of funding organization that in-turn just give drips to the school if anything. Your team is doing excellent work and I hope it bears fruits soon as Skilled and Knowledge labor in STEM continues to diminish.

  • Icon for: Randy Raymond

    Randy Raymond

    Co-Presenter
    Geographic Information Specialist
    May 15, 2015 | 10:27 p.m.

    Deborah, Thank for your encouragement and kind comments! It is important to recognize that 11th and 12th grade high school students who are very well trained in GIS skills, data analysis and reporting can and should be using their skills to work on real world problems in their communities! You can join our discussions at: http://GeoNet.esri.com. Once you have created an ESRI Global User account, for free, please request to Join the GRACE Project Group. I look forward to seeing your name on the member list.

  • Icon for: Deborah Kariuki

    Deborah Kariuki

    Computer Science Teacher
    May 15, 2015 | 11:42 p.m.

    Thanks invitation to join GRACE project Group, I will certainly join and continue to follow your wonderful work and hopefully continue to learn more from your experiences in this project.

  • Further posting is closed as the event has ended.