12-16, 16:45–17:00 (Asia/Bangkok), Room34-1102
Geospatial technologies are being widely used to address societal needs like land use, demographics, and natural resource management. Spatial data analysis play a crucial role in how we understand and interact with our environment. They involve using maps, GPS, and satellite images to collect, analyse, and display data about the world. Teaching these skills to school children has become increasingly important.
Geospatial techniques help students develop a better understanding of the world around them. Maps, for instance, are not just tools for finding directions; they tell stories about our environment, culture, and history. By learning to read and create maps, children begin to see the connections between different places and the events that shape them. Understanding these concepts early helps them develop a broader view of the world and how places are interconnected This kind of knowledge fosters a global perspective, encouraging students to think beyond their immediate surroundings and consider how their actions can affect the world.
As part of its mission to build awareness of the importance of Earth Science in daily life, the team at ‘The Centre for Education and Research in Geosciences (CERG), India conducts various activities aimed at laymen and schoolchildren. These events are conducted throughout the year. One such program is a workshop titled “Maps & Me”, which is focused on giving a basic understanding to school & college children on the geospatial world and open-source mapping tools. In the ‘Maps & Me’ workshop we explore the basics of maps, satellite images and digital maps and how to navigate using these tools.
The workshop is hands-on and interactive, covering key map elements like latitude, longitude, and scale, along with a session on using QGIS, a popular open-source mapping software. Participants are introduced to the fundamentals of remote sensing, satellite imagery, photo recognition, and digital mapping. After that, they get to create their own maps using QGIS.
At CERG we believe that such skills are important because they help students make sense of real-world issues, like climate change, urban planning, and natural resource management. By learning how to read and interpret maps, for example, young students can see how their local environment fits into the larger world. It also encourages them to think critically and solve problems creatively, skills that are valuable in all areas of life.
