GEOCACHE

Geospatial Connections Promoting Advancement to Careers and Higher Education

This collaborative project between Mesa Community College and Northern Arizona University was designed to facilitate the development of career and educational pathways in geospatial technologies (GST). In order to develop and educate a highly diverse workforce to be successful in careers that utilize GST, STEM teaching and learning approaches need to be supported among educators at both secondary and post-secondary institutions. These approaches served to support the development of STEM skills among students. Read about Why GST is a good tool for teaching these skills here.

Specifically, this goal was accomplished by

1. working closely with geospatial information technology (GST) educators and professionals to develop (and seek to offer) internships, service learning opportunities, and/or dual enrollment courses, thereby establishing education pathways from secondary schools to two year colleges and universities,

2. providing sustained professional development for educators including high school, community college, and university faculty in both pedagogy and GST skills,

3. increasing students’ 21st century workforce and GST skills through the integration of technology and project-based learning in new and existing courses, and

4. increasing awareness of careers in the GST industry and participation in courses that prepare students for career success.

Program Leaders