environmental science and gis

Please do not distribute without permission from the GEODE Initiative

Using GIS to Support Learning About Environmental Issues

Meridith Bruozas

Northwestern University

GEODE Initiative

Evanston, IL


Topographic Maps

Montana, Idaho, Wyoming Quadrangle (Hebgen Lake)http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/usgsmaps/usgsmaps.html#Topographic%20Maps


Maps Displaying Historical Trends

Distribution of Historic Tornados 1950 - 1995http://www.esri.com/mapmuseum/mapbook_gallery/volume18/education5.html


Road Maps

State of Illinois http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/us_2001/illinois_ref_2001.jpg


What is GIS and How Can It Help Support Learning in Environmental and Earth Science?

GIS - Geographic Information Systems

It creates an interactive visualization where the user

can query (ask questions) the data projected in the

visualization.


• support students in working on scientific problems that use authentic data.

•give students opportunities to work with concepts at a deeper and more meaningful level. (ex. visual representations)

• allow students to have direct interaction with natural phenomena.

•introduce students to concepts in a clear way.

•give students skills that can be used outside of school and in the workplace.

Edelson, D. Northwestern

Why Use GIS Technology?


One Strategy - to focus on using GIS to teach students a tool or skill.

Another Strategy - to use GIS to support learning of a scientific concept that supports scientific discourse.

General Curriculum Strategies


Curricular Example

Problem Posed - A growing mid-western community needs to generate more electricity and build another coal burning power plant.

Best way to ask questions of large amounts of info.

GIS softwareWhat factors to consider when finding a location.

Where can we place this power plant in our community?

To model the direct & indirect relationships within the model.

Power plant model

The science concepts that make a power plant run.

What does a power plant need?

To support student understanding of the parts of a power plant.

Virtual Power Plant Tour

The various parts of a power plant and what they do.

What makes up a coal burning power plant?

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Burning of coalWhat type of energy does this community already use?

Calculate household energy use & compare to avg.US.

Excel SpreadsheetWhat’s the avg. US household energy consumption?

How much electricity do we need to supply to this community?

Reason for selecting this technology

Technology Used

What students learn

Motivation (Need to know something about…)


Curricular Example

Context - Students are asked to do a P/O/E using real world data about temperatures around the world.


Contact InformationContact Information

GEODE InitiativeNorthwestern University

Meridith Bruozas

[email protected]

This power point presentation and handouts are available on our website at…

http://www.geode.northwestern.edu/investigations

Software Downloads are available at

http://www.geode.northwestern.edu

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.geode.northwestern.edu/investigations

http://www.geode.northwestern.edu/

http://www.geode.northwestern.edu/

environmental science and gis

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