GIS Day at FHSU
November 18, 2020
Each year in celebration of GIS Day, the FHSU Geosciences Department hosts guest speakers, an open house, and workshops or activities that illustrate how GIS impacts our daily lives. We often also host activities and opportunities to highlight career opportunities in GIS Fields. Participating students can visit with guest speakers and GIS specialists to learn more about applications in GIS and career opportunities.
Students, faculty, staff, and the public are welcome to participate in any event celebrating GIS Day!
PRESENTATIONS
9:30-10:30 What is GIS?
via Zoom https://fhsu.zoom.us/j/93368728008
Dr. Richard Lisichenko, GIS Lab Manager and Professor of Geosciences will provide a brief introduction to GIS. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have revolutionized society. Through the use of geographic principles, GIS provides an amazing amount of information about our communities and the world in an effective and easy to access manner. Its use has been adopted by many fields that include: business, government, education, law enforcement, emergency responders, environmental specialists, and others. GIS uses unique methods towards spatially analyzing places and provides many job opportunities.
11:30-12:30 GIS & Cartography
via Zoom https://fhsu.zoom.us/j/3655018048
by Dr. Thomas Schafer, Associate Professor of Geosciences
Cartography is one of the oldest of the spatial disciplines, while Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are one the newest; but in the last few decades, these seemingly disparate fields have become deeply related and intertwined. This presentation will examine the cartographic background of GIS, the relationship between the two, and how the lines between cartography and GIS will blur ever more in the future - good cartographers will have to become good GIS analysts, and vice versa as both disciplines advance.
1:00-1:45 Leveraging GIS for Climate and Weather Science
via Zoom https://fhsu.zoom.us/j/94988819260?pwd=dVVpVW9tSE1ydTlyZGJlbFlrWTVKQT09
by Dr. Todd Moore, Chair, Department of Geosciences
Geographic information systems (GIS) are leveraged by researchers and practitioners to better understand natural and human systems, and the complex ways in which they interact. In this talk, I will provide examples of the use of GIS to better understand climate and weather phenomena, from changes to the spatial distribution of tornadoes to the identification of people that are exposed to urban heat islands.
VIDEOS
Special videos shared by GIS partners on GIS Day.
ACTIVITIES
Check back here during Geography Awareness Week for a list of GIS activities you can explore and learn how GIS impacts you on a daily basis.
What is GIS, What is GIS Day, and Why celebrate?
GIS (Geographic Information Systems) have transformed almost every aspect of society by providing the means to spatially describe and analyze our environment. Whether at the local, regional, national, or global scale, GIS provides the tools to solve spatial problems and find solutions.
GIS Day is a grassroots global event that was introduced in 1999 to enhance public awareness of the substantial contributions of GIS technology to our lives. Once again, Fort Hays State University will participate with an open house, presentations, demonstrations, and workshops. Students, faculty, staff, and the public are invited to learn more about GIS and how to use it.