ACCESS Open House Demonstration Abstracts

Map-IT!: GIS for Watershed Science Education

David Curtis, Sr. Res. Scientist, NCSA, 217.244.5594
dcurtis@ncsa.uiuc.edu

http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/RiverWeb/Projects/mapit_index.html

We are researching how simplified, web-based interfaces to Geographical Information Systems can, in conjunction with appropriate curriculum modules, promote inquiry-based learning among middle and high school science activities that have a strong environmental focus.

The computational method used in the solution is a client/server application. Commercial GIS software (ESRI ArcView and ArcView IMS) running on the server side; java applet on the client side, customized for easy visualization of GIS datasets and data submission.

The output consists of dynamic maps served as "interactive" jpeg images viewable through the client; simple "find" and "identify" queries that return attribute data linked to map features.

In Map-IT!, we are developing a tool that "models" the use of methodologies and datasets employed by scientists, including those participating in the Alliance EH-AT team, to investigate a variety of environmental issues. In this sense, Map-IT! has the potential to support "authentic" inquiry among secondary school educators and students, as well as "citizen scientists." As such, a Map-IT!-like tool will be included in the "RiverWeb (tm) Toolsuite," a pilot, web-based learning framework under development by several Alliance education partners that, through exemplary curriculum modules, will integrate data collection, visualization, analysis and simple modeling into a coherent workflow.

Hardware and software requirements are a fast Pentium machine (min. 133 MHz); 20 MB Ram (32 preferred); latest version of IE or NS; need to pre-install "identity.db" file and Sun java plug in (1.1 upwards), as described on the web at A href="http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/RiverWeb/Projects/mapit/Instructions/installation.html">http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/RiverWeb/Projects/mapit/Instructions/installation.html

Once the applet is downloaded, login as "guest," enter password "guest." The currently selected project should load and be viewable as a map. T1 connectivity or better is desirable, although this applet can also be run (slowly) via a 56K modem.

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