Tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Global Positioning Systems (GPS), matched with a keen interest in addressing local issues, can support powerful work for sustainability at a local level. This summer, two institutes are planned by the Community Mapping Program to support educators, community organizations and high school students interested in working on mapping projects in their communities. Information on the Community Mapping Program Summer Institute and the ArcGIS Training is available at www.communitymap.org.

The Community Mapping Program Summer Institute, June 24-28, at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, includes:

Hands-on mapping experience:
At the heart of the institute is an on-going mini-mapping project; all participants work in small groups and complete field and lab work that explores a community problem, need or opportunity.

Technology instruction:
Introduction to GPS, ArcView 3.2 Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and integrating GPS information with GIS data.Through the generosity of the Environmental Systems Research Institute, we are able to award participants an ArcView site license for K-12 schools or libraries.

Mini-Grants: Summer Institute participants may apply for post-institute mini-grants to support their work.

Special Presenter:
Denis Wood, author of the Power of Maps and a guest on NPR's This American Life where Denis Wood describes mapping Halloween pumpkins and how light falls through tree leaves.

The cost of the residential Community Mapping Program Summer Institute is $520 for a single dorm room, all meals, and use of athletic facilities.

ArcGIS 8.1 Training for Educators, August 12-16 will be held at the Brattleboro, Vermont campus of Marlboro College. Basic ArcGIS 8.1 skills that will be taught include data acquisition, data projection, data processing, map calculations, and map layouts. In addition, participants will discover how to link the use of GIS and local spatial data to educational standards and curricula. This training is explicitly intended for educators interested in utilizing the new ArcGIS 8.1 platform. Note, ArcGIS will not run on Apple products, such as iMacs. The computer needs to be a fairly current Windows NT, 2000, or XP machine with at least 1 GB of hard drive free. Contact us for specifications or visit http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcview/system.html

The instructors for the ArcGIS 8.1 Training for Educators are Andrew Toepfer and Lyn Anderson. Andrew Toepfer is the GIS Specialist for the Community Mapping Program and an Adjunct Professor at Antioch New England Graduate School. Lyn Anderson is the GIS Analyst for the Delaware Department of Labor and Chair of the Education & Training Subcommittee of the Delaware Geographic Data Committee. The Workshop cost per student is $425. This cost includes all instruction, lab time, and Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop . Participants might also receive an ArcGIS site license for their entire school at no This training is non-residential and does not cover the cost of room and board. Contact Andrew Toepfer, 802.457.2779 x108, atoepfer@vinsweb.org for more information.

For details about the Institutes and to obtain a registration form, please visit www.communitymap.org or call Nicole Conte at 802.457.2779 x126.