GIS Summer Camp for Students
Grade 6–9 students:
Spend a week this summer using advanced computer technology—and exploring outdoors!
This summer students and teachers will gather at Cayuga Community College in Auburn
to spend a week learning high-tech skills used in the field, in the lab—and even
in space—to better understand our world.
- 5 day-time
camp for students Grades 6-9
- Hands-on computer and field experience
- Collect and
analyze data for group project
- Explore careers using geospatial technologies
From Monday through Friday, July 7 to 11, the NASA-sponsored Institute for the Application of
Geospatial Technologies (IAGT) will team with Cayuga Community College, SUNY
College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Mid-Hudson Service Learning Institute,
Lower Esopus River Watch, and the New York State Department of Education to host
Teaching with Spatial Technology (TwiST) Workshop, a conference for teachers. Concurrently,
the college and IAGT are offering a GIS Summer Camp segment devoted entirely to
students in grades six through nine.
In the GIS Summer Camp, students will gain hands-on experience in
Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the global positioning system (GPS), and remote
sensing (aerial and satellite imagery). Working with professional staff, camp participants will apply
technology to real-world issues.
The students' days, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., will feature training in GIS software
at the college’s computer lab and outdoor exploration and data collection in supervised
field teams. Each student will receive a GPS device to use during the week and then
take home to keep. Students will also learn about the history and environmental
issues surrounding their field data site. Using their new GIS software skills, student
teams will map environmental factors that are not visible but may have an impact
on the site.
"Geospatial technologies are changing the way people view the world," says Amy Work,
education coordinator for IAGT. "This is one of today's fastest growing career fields,
and TwiST and the GIS Summer Camp provide teachers and students with a real opportunity
to explore it."
Space for participants is limited, so early registration is recommended. The cost
of the camp is $300; limited scholarships, based on financial need, are available
for New York State students who demonstrate an interest in GIS.
Housing:
Cayuga Community College (CCC) does not have on-campus housing. As we realize that
students may be coming from areas outside of the local community, we have arranged
for students to stay at Lattimore Hall, CCC's off-campus dormitory or the Inn at
the Finger Lakes. For additional information on pricing and availability for housing
during the week, please contact us at 315-252-8669.
Scholarships:
The
New York State GIS Association will provide 5 scholarships to students from
New York to attend the GIS Summer Camp. The scholarships will be based on interest
in attending the camp and financial need. Students are asked to write an essay explaining
their reason for attending the camp. Financial need will be based on a student's
eligibility to receive free or reduced lunches. The United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch Program guidelines for eligibility can
be found here.
For more information about IAGT and CCC’s TwiST Workshop for Students, call 315-252-8669.