Volunteers Deliver Award Winning Support to 4-H

Throughout the United States, 4-H club GIS programs introduce the next generation of Geospatial Professionals to data and geographic science. Facilitated by this organization, youth across the country gain technical experience with geospatial tools and learn how to apply this technology to understanding some of the today’s- and tomorrow’s- most pressing problems. Encouraging student interaction within their local as well as more far-reaching communities, this organization is helping build future leaders in Geographic Information Systems.

In partnership with Thomas Ray of 4-H, GISCorps selected two volunteers- Samantha Olivieri of Wisconsin and Meredith Lowden of New Jersey- to assist in mentoring a group of students with creating cartographic deliverables to be displayed at the annual Esri User Conference Map Gallery. In preparation for this conference, which is the largest of its kind in the field of GIS, these 4-H students diligently researched pressing complex issues and mapped them, practicing analysis and critical thinking skills in service to their communities.

The GISCorps volunteers kicked off the project by crafting a presentation outlining cartographic best practices and theory to establish a baseline for the student’s edification. Also reviewed was an overview of interacting with symbology and visualization using both ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online functions. From there, the youth worked on building their final print and digital format maps for review. After these drafts were complete, the volunteers each met one-on-one with the 4-H students to offer guidance and feedback and help inform the final products to be displayed in the Map Gallery. The final products were the individual project analyses and methodologies, a range of complex large-format cartographic deliverables, as well as digital ArcGIS Online story maps.

Cartography presentation page by GISCorps volunteers

The completed projects and resulting maps were an honor to be a part of and to see in person at the Esri UC Map Gallery. The students attended mainly virtually, with a couple having the opportunity to attend in person. Crowds gathered around the 4-H student’s map displays as they described their work and outputs in San Diego, which were great displays of how geospatial technology can help facilitate approaching today’s greatest challenges. This GISCorps partnership with 4-H exemplifies the best of what GIS is- not only a tool, but also a legacy that current Geospatial Professionals foster in our future colleagues in all industries.

Evaluating Wake County Food Hubs in Serving the Community’ print and Story Maps by Arjun Kuncha

Samantha Olivieri and Thomas Ray pictured in front of 4-H student maps at the Esri User Conference

4-H student maps at the ESRI User Conference Map Gallery

Student Map Award for Wake Cert Teens 4-H 

Project Complete