Science Education News (SEN) Journal 2017 Volume 66 Number 4 December 2017 | Page 51

GIS puts STEM skills on the map
At the core of STEM education lies the ability to critically engage in the world around you – to
understand patterns, draw meaning from data, and solve problems. Throw in the complexity of an
increasing digital world, and we as teachers are often juggling multiple technological tools to
encourage deeper learning within our STEM subjects.

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is an industry-standard technology platform which helps
STEM students answers questions and solve problems, by allowing them to look at their data in a
way that is quickly understood and easily shared.
Figures: Browse global precipitation patterns, or interpret the relationship between plate
boundaries and different types of volcanoes.
Join the GIS for Schools Program
Esri Australia’s GIS for Schools Program, launched in 2017,
provides free GIS technology to all Australian classrooms. Every
Australian school can request a free ArcGIS Online account –
this is our completely online, cloud-hosted and device-friendly
web GIS.
A gallery of Spatial Activities provide detailed lesson material
for teachers with a unique lesson map, based on a range of
ACARA linked topics.
This includes topics like natural hazards, biomes, ecosystem
dependence, biodiversity, and climate change.
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SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 66 NO 4