Author: E Gunderson, educator, Minnesota Alliance for Geographic EducationGrade/Audience: grade 8, high schoolResource type: lessonSubject topic(s): gisRegion: united statesStandards: Minnesota Social Studies Standards

Standard 1. People use geographic representations and geospatial technologies to acquire, process and report information within a spatial context.Objectives: Students will be able to:

1. Create a custom map using Google Maps
2. Collect and plot data using Google MapsSummary: Students will learn the basics of Google Maps while using geospatial data to create their neighborhood map with the places they spend time. They will also collect data of their choice from another source (website, book, personal life) and plot the data using Google Maps.

Author: A Lisson, educator, Minnesota Alliance for Geographic EducationGrade/Audience: grade 8Resource type: lessonSubject topic(s): gis, geographic thinkingRegion: united statesStandards: Minnesota Social Studies Standards

Standard 1. People use geographic representations and geospatial technologies to acquire, process and report information within a spatial context.Objectives: Students will be able to:

1. Explain the difference between two types of geospatial technologies - GPS and GIS.
2. Develop basic skills to effectively manipulate and use GPS receivers and ArcGIS software.
3. Explain uses of GPS and GIS.Summary: Students use GPS coordinates to discover geocaches at a local park, and they use ArcGIS to layer maps about the park. Frontenac State park is the example, but any park or area (including school grounds) could be used. Students also investigate careers that use GIS.