UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Libraries’ Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information will offer six free, hybrid workshops to the University-wide community on topics related to maps and geographic information systems (GIS) beginning Feb. 24.
Topics include beginning a geospatial project; creating interactive maps and applications, such as StoryMaps in ArcGIS Online; discovering geospatial resources in the Big Ten Academic Alliance Geoportal; using civic data in community projects; exploring historic aerial imagery; and collecting field geospatial information. These sessions are aimed at both new and experienced users. No prior knowledge of maps and geospatial information is required.
Workshops are open to Penn State undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, staff and faculty. Participants may attend online via Zoom or in person in Room W13 Pattee Library on the University Park campus. Unless otherwise noted, sessions will be presented by Tara Anthony, GIS specialist.
Workshop Schedule
Starting Your Geospatial Journey: From Basic to Enhanced Geospatial Projects
2–3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24; Zoom registration for Starting Your Geospatial Journey.
This session will provide a brief introduction to GIS resources available to amplify your research, teaching and work, including ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Online Applications, ArcGIS Pro and other resources for open-source software applications. Additional references will include aspects of ArcGIS Notebooks and ModelBuilder, along with additional emerging geospatial topics. This session will give users exposure to applications and options to enhance geospatial projects.
ArcGIS Online: Creating Interactive Maps and Applications
2–3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25; Zoom registration for ArcGIS Online.
This session will provide an overview of ArcGIS Online including available applications, content discovery strategies and content organization options. Users will gain experience learning about available geospatial data, online applications and sharing options. Collaboration options will be discussed as well.
From Data to Discovery: Navigate Open Geospatial Resources in the BTAA Geoportal
2–3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26; Zoom registration for From Data To Discovery.
The Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Geoportal provides users with a discovery and search option for identifying map and geospatial content in a range of formats. This session will highlight search strategies for locating geospatial data resources, describe resource types available, and spotlight collections within the BTAA Geoportal, such as historical maps, open government data portals, aerial imagery, important farmland maps and more. Users across disciplines will learn about the discovery of geospatial information to support research and teaching activities.
Pennsylvania Historic Aerial Imagery: Views into Pennsylvania past from above
1–2 p.m. Tuesday, March 3; Zoom registration for Pennsylvania Historic Aerial Imagery.
This session will introduce historic aerial imagery resources from the University Libraries’ collection and other Pennsylvania sources. Examples of historic aerial imagery uses and projects will be highlighted along with digital aerial collections.
Amplifying Community Geospatial Projects: Geospatial Civic Data
1–2 p.m. Wednesday, March 4; Zoom registration for Amplifying Community Geospatial Projects.
This session will provide strategies and resources to include geospatial civic data in research, teaching and community projects. This session will highlight data, geospatial and civic literacies related to open government and community datasets. This session will aim to enhance responsible, ethical and accessible use of geospatial civic data sources. Open educational geospatial resources aimed at community geospatial data also will be highlighted. Presented by Tara Anthony, GIS specialist, and Jennifer Chew, maps and geospatial assistant.
Field Mapping Essentials: GPS and ArcGIS Field Maps
1–2 p.m. Thursday, March 5; Zoom registration for Field Mapping Essentials.
This session will provide an overview of the available GPS units for borrowing from the Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information. The use of ArcGIS Field maps will also be discussed in relation to use with an external GPS unit.
Contact ul-maps@lists.psu.edu for more information or to suggest topics for additional workshops.