PRESS RELEASE DETAIL
For release: IMMEDIATELY
Release Date: 08/16/2017
2017 International GIS Day pre-registration now open for educators and students
For media inquiries, contact:
Janene Tate, Communications Director
jtate@brgov.com
225-389-7957
BATON ROUGE, La. — Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome today announced that pre-registration is now open for the local celebration of 2017 International GIS Day. All middle and high school educators, students, and East Baton Rouge Parish residents are invited to participate in the annual educational event focused on geographic information systems, technology, and career opportunities. Educators interested in participating and coordinating field trips around 2017 International GIS Day, scheduled for Nov. 15 at the main branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library on Goodwood Boulevard, should pre-register online at gisdaylouisiana.com.
“In a world and economy where progress is driven by technology, acquiring a knowledge of computers and technological applications is vital for people of all ages,” Mayor-President Broome said. “Geographic information systems, or GIS, is a rapidly expanding technology field with endless applications in almost every industry, representing an incredible opportunity for students across East Baton Rouge Parish to expand their horizons and learn what is truly possible when we combine technology with active learning.”
Last year, more than 200 people attended International GIS Day to participate in hands-on educational activities led by industry professionals. They were also able to hear from speakers such as Alyssa Carson, astronaut-in-training and Baton Rouge native; Warren Drake, East Baton Rouge Parish Schools superintendent; and others.
This year’s day-long program will feature a “Baton Rouge 200” theme, in commemoration of Baton Rouge’s ongoing bicentennial celebration throughout 2017, and includes two educational events.
The first event, scheduled to take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., provides students with an opportunity to participate in engaging hands-on computer and outdoor activities while learning about mapping in a fun-filled, educational environment. Educators and teachers interested in planning field trips for this event should contact International GIS Day organizers soon, as space is limited.
The second event of the day, scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m., is free to attend and open to adults of all ages and backgrounds. It features speakers focused on GIS and various applications of this technology.
International GIS Day events in Baton Rouge are organized and provided to residents at no charge by the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge; East Baton Rouge Parish Library; Louisiana Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (LARSGIS) Institute; and Baton Rouge Green.
“As industry practitioners, we have seen first-hand how GIS and map-based technologies can transform nearly every element of our respective professional worlds,” said Fran Harvey, founder of the LARSGIS Institute. “Each year, through International GIS Day, we are able to put those same exciting technologies in the hands of some of our youngest citizens and residents across our community, creating powerful awareness of educational opportunities and career possibilities in the process.”
For more information about Baton Rouge’s celebration of 2017 International GIS Day, email gis@brgov.com or call the LARSGIS Institute at 225-939-1091.