2026 Teacher Workshop #2: GIS for High School Educators – Introduction to Desktop GIS Software

The Secondary GIS Workshop for High School Educators is the second in a three-part professional learning series designed to prepare educators to teach Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Building on the foundational knowledge from Workshop 1, this session introduces educators to desktop GIS platforms, with a primary focus on ArcGIS Pro. Participants will learn how ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro work together to support end-to-end GIS workflows and to create products such as online maps and print-ready maps. Educators will also explore a range of complementary tools—including open-source and web-based platforms—to build a broader understanding of the GIS software landscape and to support flexible classroom implementation across different student skill levels and instructional goals.

1. Strengthen educator understanding of how web-based GIS (ArcGIS Online) connects to desktop GIS (ArcGIS Pro).
   
   
2. Build foundational confidence with the ArcGIS Pro interface and core desktop workflows (data, layers, symbology, layout).
   
   
3. Develop practical skills for finding, evaluating, organizing, and preparing spatial data for desktop GIS.
   
   
4. Introduce additional GIS tools (e.g., QGIS, Google My Maps, National Geographic MapMaker) to support diverse classroom needs.
   
   
5. Support educators in planning classroom-ready GIS lessons, projects, and capstone experiences that connect to geospatial career pathways.
   
   
6. Connect educators to ongoing resources, instructional supports, and educator networks for sustained GIS implementation.

Session 1 – Review: ArcGIS Online Concepts & Transition to ArcGIS Pro

• Brief recap of core ArcGIS Online principles from Workshop 1 and how online and desktop tools work together in professional GIS workflows.

Session 2 – Learn: Working with Data in Desktop GIS

• Finding and preparing spatial data; data types; assessing data quality; organizing files; cleaning attribute tables; checking coordinate systems.

Session 3 – Demonstrate: Live ArcGIS Pro Walkthrough

• Orientation to the ArcGIS Pro interface and key workflows such as adding data, exploring attributes, adjusting symbology, and managing layers and projections. 

Break (Optional / As Scheduled) (Approx. 10–15 minutes)

Session 4 – Apply: Hands-On Desktop GIS Activity

• Guided mapping activity in ArcGIS Pro (and/or QGIS) in pairs or small groups to produce a stylized, print-ready map; emphasis on collaboration and troubleshooting.

Session 5 – Plan: Instructional Planning & Curriculum Mapping

• Classroom integration options (single lesson, short project, capstone); examples that sequence ArcGIS Online → ArcGIS Pro; scaffolding for varied student skill levels.

Session 6 – Support: Pathways & Resources

• Implementation reflection; access to software and instructional materials; professional learning opportunities; connections to local educator networks.

Session 7 – Reflect: Next Steps

• Group reflection on successes/challenges; each participant identifies one concrete next step for classroom implementation and continued learning.

1. Increased familiarity with desktop GIS platforms, especially ArcGIS Pro, and how they connect to ArcGIS Online.
   
   
2. Hands-on experience completing a beginner-friendly desktop GIS workflow and producing a print-ready map.
   
   
3. Improved confidence working with real-world spatial data (organization, quality checks, and basic preparation).
   
   
4. Awareness of multiple GIS platforms and how to select tools that align with classroom goals and student readiness.
   
   
5. Concrete ideas and a realistic plan for integrating desktop GIS into classroom lessons or longer-term projects.
   
   
6. Connection to ongoing support, resources, and professional learning opportunities through the UMSL Geospatial Collaborative.