What do treasure hunting, three dimensional technology, and data visualization all have in common? They were all featured prominently at the annual GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Day held in the lobby of the Herman B Wells Library. "This is the 11th anniversary of GIS Day, the worldwide, annual event celebrating GIS technology and its applications. Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, connects people with the geointelligence they need to work more efficiently and make better decisions. GIS supports a geographic approach to problem-solving. From Google Maps technology, to systems that monitor the spread of disease, GIS technologies are tools that help people do a better job and make a difference." [GIS Day]
SLIS had a table at the event run by faculty members Hamid Ekbia and Jingfeng Xia. The display promoted SLIS S603: Introduction to GIS, a Summer I, 2010 (1.5 credit hour) Workshop offered by Dr. Ekbia. SLIS student volunteers Anna Roberts (MIS), Stacey Miller (MLS), and Evren Bay Sengul (Ph.D.) helped answer questions. They enthusiastically recommended the course for students of all majors stating that S603 is "extremely practical" and the techniques learned are very flexible in their application; with a wide variety of usages ranging from government to personal use. The workshop "serves as an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), with an emphasis on modeling techniques in a case-based approach". Students are not required to have any previous knowledge of GIS software, but a familiarity with database systems and SQL would be helpful (however is not necessary).
Other highlights of the fair included the "Using GIS and Remote Sensing to Study the Effects of Diverse Institutions" presentation given by 2009 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences winner Elinor Ostrom — and a talk by the IU Geocaching Club. Booths held by organizations such as the Advanced Visualization Lab, Indiana Geographic Information Council, Indiana Geological Survey, UITS, Monroe County GIS showed the wide diversity of uses for GIS applications. Visitors were exposed to the stereoscopic displays of aerial photography, 3-D topographical maps, and the sport of Geocaching among other applications for GIS technology.
Posted December 07, 2009