Maps + Data = GIS
A GIS allows you to visualize your data as a map. What’s more, GIS systems aren’t static. They allow us to ask complex questions—or “queries” as they are called in GIS speak—anytime we like. A GIS system can answer questions instantly by modifying colors, shapes or highlighting locations on the map.
We’re visual creatures that possess an innate ability to visualize patterns. Patterns that might take us hours to identify in a spreadsheet can often be identified in an instant when displayed in a more visually engaging format like a graph, chart, or in this case a map.
Get to know GIS
- Go to: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html and click "Map" at the top of the page.
- Grab, hold, and move the map to pan the map (= "click and drag")
- Test out zooming in and out, using the map's zoom bar, the mouse's scroll-wheel, double-clicking the map, and holding down Shift key while dragging.
- Zoom all the way out to the world, and all the way in to your home. Notice what happens when you zoom in and out.
- Click the magnifying glass towards the bottom right of the screen and search for an address of a friend, a relative, or a place name like your state's capital city.
GIS Across Industry Sectors
Plan a Trip
Hospitality, Tourism, & Recreation
- Go to: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html and click "Map" at the top of the page.
- Search for one place you would like to go when a box opens click on "Add to Map". Repeat this for two more locations.
- There should be a marker for each of your locations on your map.
- On the right click on wrench (map tools) click on measure, click the ruler, set to miles.
- Click on the starting point, click on second destination, third destination, then return to and double click the starting point. This will give you the total round trip mileage.
- Will this be actual miles traveled? Why or why not?
- Click on Basemap and change it to "Terrain with Labels".
- What types of terrain will you travel across (i.e., mountains, valleys, forests, etc...)?
- Click Basemap and change it to "Community Map".
- Zoom in on one or two of your destinations and identify one historical landmark, park, or another place of interest you would like to visit.
- What have you learned by doing this activity?
Track Disease
Health Science and Medical Technology
- Go to: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html and click "Map" at the top of the page or click "New Map", “Create New Map”, "Yes, Open the Map".
- Click on Basemap and click on "Topographic".
- Zoom to see most of North America.
- Click "Modify Map" top right.
- Click "Add" (left of Basemap)
- Search "Layers", type in "Diabetes", select "Diabetes, Obesity, and Inactivity"
- Click "Add to Map"
- Click on "Legend" to learn how to read the data.
- Does the east or west coast have higher instances of these health issues?
- Brainstorm a list of ideas of how health care professionals could use this information.
Location, Location, Location
Marketing, Sales, & Service
- Go to: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html and click "Map" at the top of the page or click "New Map", “Create New Map”, "Yes, Open the Map.
- Click on Basemap and click on "Topographic".
- Zoom to see most of North America.
- Click "Modify Map" top right.
- Click "Add" (left of Basemap).
- Search "Layers", type in "Automatic Traffic Recorder Stations".
- Click "Add to Map".
- Click on the boxes with arrows to see the average daily traffic.
- How could marketers use this information?
- Pick one urban area and review each traffic recorder in that area.
- Which marker would you want to open a new fast food restaurant near? Why would you select that marker?
- Could you add another layer to the map to identify possible competition?
Five Activities You Can Do in Five Minutes Each (no login required)
Discover Careers in GIS
Reflection
- Have you taken any classes in school that would be helpful to a career in GIS?
- Are there any apps or games that you use or play that give you a better understanding of GIS? What are they and how do they help?
- What type of GIS career would interest you most? Why?
- Even if you don't pursue this type of career how could you use these skills in your personal or professional life?
Explore the K12 Career Education Navigator
The K12 Career Technical Education (CTE) Navigator helps you explore high school courses and career pathways offered across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Browse by industry sector, county, school district, and more to find options that match your interests and career goals and see how these pathways can prepare you for college, certifications, apprenticeships, or the workforce.
Credits:
Created with images by Kelsey Knight - "Make your mark on the Map" • Sylwia Bartyzel - "untitled image" • Unknown - "Where do we go next? | Royalty free photo - 69714" • NESA by Makers - "untitled image" • ian dooley - "The Plan before the Adventure" • CDC - "Produced by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), this highly magnified, digitally colorized scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image, revealed ultrastructural details at the site of interaction of numerous yellow colored, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) viral particles, located on the surface of a Vero E6 cell, which had been colorized blue." • Brian Chan - "Fried Chicken" • Simon Migaj - "find more travel inspiration at http://www.instagram.com/simonmigaj" • Andrew Neel - "Woman working by a window"