There are an array of geospatial training and educational resources in Virginia. Many of these organizations and people work in partnership or association with the Virginia Geospatial Extension Program.

Virginia Initiatives

• The JMU Geospatial Semester. The Geospatial Semester is a unique partnership between high schools in Virginia and the Integrated Science and Technology department at James Madison University (JMU).  High school seniors participating in the Geospatial Semester take classes on geospatial technology in their home school and can earn credit from JMU.  A key aspect of the program is a focus on local projects connecting students, technology, and their community. Learn more about the Geospatial Semester here: http://www.isat.jmu.edu/geospatialsemester
• The OVERspace program:  OVERspace is a Professional Development Program using problem-based teaching and engaging the process of inquiry. In OVERspace workshops, teachers learn how to use Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, and remotely-sensed images and data to help students visualize information and develop spatial thinking skills.  Learn more about OVERspace here:  http://www.vsgc.odu.edu/GTT/
• The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Geospatial Instructional Applications Initiative Resource Portal provides information for Virginia Schools on how to obtain a copy of ESRI ArcView 9.2 software - http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/CTE/te/Geospatial/
• The Virginia Geospatial Extension Program and VirginiaView are in the process of developing (2010) an online, digital atlas of Virginia based on ArcGIS server.

• The Virginia Geospatial Extension Program and Jeff Kirwan, Professor and Extension Specialist 4-H and Youth, have developed watershed and landuse posters for Montgomery County and the City of Galax, VA for instructional use- http://www.gep.frec.vt.edu/watershed_posters.html. Jeff also has compiled a series of photos for various schools in Virginia to support the Project Learning Tree module, Exploring Environmental Issues in the Places we Live http://www.gep.frec.vt.edu/watershed_ed.html.
• The Virginia Geospatial Extension Program has launched the Virginia Geocoin Adventure, a STEM-based program to support geospatial awareness. Learn more about the Virginia Geocoin Adventure here: http://www.gep.frec.vt.edu/Geocoin_Adv.html
  Access the STEM-based GPS Adventure reflection questions here: http://www.gep.frec.vt.edu/pdfFiles/Virginia%204-H%20Geocoin%20Adventure-Reflections.pdf

 

Pre-college: National / Regional Geospatial Resources

• Satellites (SATELLITES (Students and Teachers Exploring Local Landscapes to Interpret the Earth From Space) Program is a program to bring together students, teachers and scientists to enhance science and technology education. Learn more about the SATELLITES program here: http://satellitesk12.org/

Pre-college: Contacts and Human Resources

• A list of professionals and organizations that support the implementation of geospatial applications at the precollege level are available here: http://www.gep.frec.vt.edu/yellowpages.html

Pre-college: Articles and Other Resources

• Making a Place for Technology in Teacher Education with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - an article by Alibrandi, M., & Palmer-Moloney, J. in journal of Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education - http://www.citejournal.org/vol1/iss4/currentissues/socialstudies/article1.htm

• The Virginia Community College System Geospatial Web Portal is a resource that serves as the central point for VCCS faculty to collaborate, market, and share geospatial resources and expertise. http://vccsgis.org/
• A list of online courses that are included in the Higher Education Site License - http://training.esri.com/campus/catalog/licenses/courselist.cfm?id=43

Higher Education Contacts and Human Resources

• A list of professionals and organizations that support the implementation of geospatial applications through higher education, as well as workforce development efforts at the local government, state agency, and the private sector are available here: http://www.gep.frec.vt.edu/yellowpages_prof.html
• A list of workshops and workforce development opportunities provided by the Virginia Geospatial Extension Program are available here: http://www.gep.frec.vt.edu/workshop.html