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: September 18, 2026
Program Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm (Dinner will be provided)
Application Deadline: September 11, 2026
Have a Question? Please Contact:
Professor Gizelle Cota: cotag@umsl.edu
This professional learning workshop is the fourth and final session in a 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 and 3, this session focuses on practical classroom integration and lesson planning.
Participation in earlier workshops is optional and not a prerequisite for attending this session.
2. Incorporate interactive tools (e.g., ArcGIS StoryMaps, ArcGIS Online Web Apps, Google My Maps, National Geographic MapMaker) to support diverse needs.
3. Re-design existing lesson plan(s) to incorporate geospatial thinking or technology.
4. Strengthen implementation readiness through classroom management strategies, peer collaboration, and access to ongoing support resources.
Session 1: Review of GIS and geospatial tools
· Facilitators review geospatial terminology and the technological tools used to support instructional goals (Google MyMaps, ArcGIS Online)
Session 2: Explore geospatial applications
· Participants are introduced to Survey123 and StoryMaps. Educators are encouraged to reflect on how these mediums can be incorporated into their existing curriculum.
Session 3: Hands-on
· Using Survey123, participants collaborate with other attendees to collect geospatial data. Time permitting, participants create a StoryMap.
Break (Optional / As Scheduled) (Approx. 10–15 minutes)
Session 4: Lesson planning for geospatial integration
· Participants receive an overview of existing instructional materials, online resources and how they can be adapted for different courses. Participants then work independently or in pairs to design a classroom-ready lesson incorporating geospatial thinking or technology.
Session 5: Reflection and next steps
· Facilitator address participants’ concerns, strategies for student engagement and learning. Participants reflect on lesson plans, set realistic timelines and identify challenges. Facilitators highlight mentorship opportunities and targeted technical support for continued growth.