Virtual Globes in Science
 

Geological Society of America
42nd Northeastern Section Meeting
12-14 March 2007
Durham, NH


Workshop: K12 - GIS and Google Earth
The K-12 Teachers program is sponsored by a grant from the Geological Society of New Hampshire and will provide reimbursement for part of teachers' workshop fees. The following workshops will be offered, two in the morning and a field trip in the afternoon. Details about location will be sent to pre-registrants. K-12 educational credit will be given, on site, for contact hours to participants requesting them. Cost for the two morning workshops, and afternoon field trip, is US$20 including lunch and transportation to Adams Point.

K12-GIS and Google Earth
11 March 2007, 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., James Hall, Rm 20

A. GIS for Earth Science Teachers. Derek Bennett of the NHDES will provide a 2-phase workshop on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Earth Science teachers. Phase one of the workshop will cover the latest GIS technologies and how earth scientists currently employ GIS. Phase two will be a hands-on demonstration of ArcExplorer, a free GIS software package for every participant that may be taken and used in the classroom. Earth Science educators will leave the workshop with a copy of ArcExplorer, a few NH GIS datasets, and an understanding of how to use GIS in the classroom.

B. Google Earth. In 2005, Google launched the revolutionary map service called "Google Earth." Building on previous Keyhole technology, it permits ordinary web-users to study the planet with sophistication previously available only on high-end graphics workstations. Declan De Paor (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) and Steve Whitmeyer (JMU) will introduce teachers to practical aspects of importing geoscience data into Google Earth. Topics will include virtual field trips, draping maps over the topography, adding text and graphics to place marks, and creating geological cross sections and 3D models integral with Google Earth.



Conference Session: Geological Applications of Interactive Web-Based Maps

In 2005, Google Inc. launched the revolutionary map service called Google Earth. Building on previous Keyhole technology, it permits ordinary web-users to study the planet with a sophistication previously available only on high-end graphics workstations. Other services quickly followed, including MSN Virtual Earth, NASA World Wind, Earth Browser, Zoomify, etc. This theme session will showcase earth science applications of Google Earth or equivalent web-based mapping software. Appropriate topics would include direct viewing of geomorphic features on Google Earth, draping of geological data layers, virtual field trips, lesson plans, etc. The aim is to bring together early adopters in all aspects of the geosciences and encourage brainstorming.
 

Conveners

Declan G. De Paor
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
declan(at)wpi.edu

Steve Whitmeyer
James Mason University
whitmesj(at)jmu.edu