Redlands, California-The 2009 ESRI geographic information system (GIS) technology grants for
the U.S. 4-H Youth Development Program are open for application until
December 1, 2008. GIS greatly improves the
ability of educators, students, and their institutions to answer personal and
community questions with local and global implications.
With its annual grant program, ESRI has awarded 4-H
clubs in more than 600 counties with ArcView and ArcPad software and Virtual
Campus training. Three different types of grants are offered: Getting Started
with GIS and GPS; Introduction to GIS for 4-H; and Intermediate GIS for
4-H.
For 2009, ESRI has again joined with American Forests,
a nonprofit citizens’ conservation group, to provide 4-H clubs with a grant
opportunity. Clubs that have successfully fulfilled the requirements of the
Introduction to GIS for 4-H grant can acquire advanced functionality for their
community service projects through the Intermediate GIS for 4-H grant. ESRI will
equip these clubs with Youth Club Licenses for ArcGIS 3D Analyst or ArcGIS
Geostatistical Analyst extensions. American Forests will provide clubs that are
working on a forestry project with the CITYgreen extension to
ArcGIS.
“This grant
program is an excellent way for 4-H clubs in the United States to access the
latest geospatial technology,” said Esther Worker, youth and community mapping
manager, ESRI. “GIS will help further the 4-H mission of integrating science,
engineering, and technology into youth programs as well as provide an excellent
way for youth to investigate and understand their communities and their world.
We encourage 4-H clubs to apply for this opportunity to advance their projects
in a creative and telling way.”
“It is amazing
what kids learn from the environment when they use GIS,” said Mike Lehman,
CITYgreen software director, American Forests. “CITYgreen fosters a higher level
of thinking and helps kids understand what is happening to the environment
around them.”
The American Forests environmental education program
provides students with a real-world learning experience while offering teachers
an innovative and organized program for teaching science, math, and GIS.
American Forests’ CITYgreen software conducts complex analyses of ecosystem
services and creates easy-to-understand reports. The software calculates dollar
benefits for the services provided by the trees and other green space in a
specific area.
4-H geospatial research and community mapping projects
help young people build on their science and technology knowledge and skills as
well as their personal outlook and career aspirations. These projects also help
both youth and adults improve decision making in their communities and help
strengthen local economic, social, and environmental well
being.
The software and training materials for grant
recipients will be delivered to the 4-H clubs in early 2009. More information
about the ESRI GIS for 4-H (U.S.) program, grants, and application process can
be found at
www.esri.com/4-H. Questions can be
directed to Esther Worker ateworker@esrior by calling 303-449-7779,
extension 8216.
2009 ESRI Geospatial Technology Grants Available for U.S. 4-H Clubs
November 5, 2008
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