2026 Teacher Workshop #3: GIS for High School Educators – Implementing GIS in the Classroom


Geospatial Workforce Development Pilot Program

Sponsoring University: University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL)

College/School: UMSL Geospatial Collaborative

Eligibility: High School Educators (Grades 9–12)

Program Modality: Hybrid (In-person & Virtual)

Program Location: UMSL Campus – 401 Benton Hall, 43 Benton Ct., St. Louis, MO 63121 (GIS Lab)

Parking: Complimentary visitor parking will be available in UMSL Parking Lot Q, located in front of Benton Hall.

Program Date: April 10, 2026

Program Time: 9:00 – 1:00 pm (Lunch will be provided)

Application Deadline: April 3, 2026

Have a Question? Please Contact:

Professor Gizelle Cota: cotag@umsl.edu

Mr. Frank Romo: contact@frankromo.com
This professional learning workshop is the third and culminating session in a three-part series designed to prepare high school educators to implement Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in classroom lessons. Building on the foundational concepts of Workshop 1 and the technical skill development in Workshop 2, this session focuses on practical classroom integration, lesson planning, and student-centered project design. Educators will strengthen their ability to translate GIS tools into structured learning experiences that guide students through simplified research cycles—identifying a geospatial problem, developing a research question, locating quality data, building and analyzing maps, and presenting findings using digital storytelling and web applications.
  1. Reinforce key ArcGIS Online concepts and how ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro function together within a complete GIS workflow.

  2. Introduce a simplified student project framework aligned to inquiry-based learning and real-world problem solving.

  3. Develop educator capacity to design GIS lessons and projects that are practical, scalable, and adaptable across subject areas.

  4. Apply strategies for guiding students through research cycles: question development, data sourcing, mapping, analysis, and interpretation.

  5. Use interactive tools (e.g., ArcGIS StoryMaps, ArcGIS Online Web Apps, Google My Maps, National Geographic MapMaker) to support student final products.

  6. Strengthen implementation readiness through classroom management strategies, peer collaboration, and access to ongoing support resources.
Session 1 – Review: Core GIS Tools for Classroom Implementation

  • Structured review of ArcGIS Online principles (web maps, layers, spatial analysis, and digital applications) and how ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro connect within an end-to-end workflow to support instructional goals.


Session 2 – Design: Student GIS Projects (From Question to Map)

  • A simplified project framework mirroring a real-world research cycle: identifying a geographic issue, defining a research question, locating and evaluating data sources, building maps, and interpreting spatial patterns to support inquiry-based learning.
Session 3 – Build: Web Apps, StoryMaps, and Interactive Tools for Final Products

  • How platforms such as ArcGIS Online Web Apps, StoryMaps, Google My Maps, and National Geographic MapMaker can turn student maps into interactive presentations and digital storytelling products, review of sample classroom projects.
Break (Optional / As Scheduled) (Approx. 10–15 minutes)

Session 4 – Plan: Collaborative Lesson Planning & Curriculum Integration

  • Guided planning time with templates and structured support. Educators design classroom-ready lessons/projects that can scale from single-day activities to extended projects; peer discussion for idea refinement, resource sharing, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Session 5 – Implement: Strategies & Classroom Management

  • Discussion of project timelines and course structure, addressing technical concerns, and strategies for managing multi-week projects while maintaining student engagement during research and revision cycles.
Session 6 – Support: Pathways, Resources, and Follow-Up

  • Overview of instructional materials, online resources, professional learning opportunities, educator networks, and follow-up support to sustain implementation.
Session 7 – Reflect: Next Steps

  • Participants reflect on lesson plans, set realistic timelines, identify anticipated challenges, and commit to immediate next steps. Facilitators highlight mentorship opportunities and targeted technical support for continued growth.

  1. A clear framework for integrating GIS tools into curriculum and designing engaging lessons that connect to real-world issues.
  2. Practical lesson plans and project ideas that align to inquiry-based learning and student-centered, project-based instruction.
  3. Improved confidence guiding students through a multi-step geospatial research cycle (question → data → map → analysis → presentation).
  4. Hands-on familiarity with tools for student final products (StoryMaps, web apps, and other interactive platforms).
  5. Implementation strategies to manage timelines, maintain engagement, and address common classroom technical challenges.
  6. Connection to ongoing support resources and educator networks to sustain GIS instruction beyond the workshop.