Fall 2017 Map and Geospatial Sessions

This Fall 2017, four open map and geospatial sessions will be offered to Penn State students (undergraduate and graduate), staff, faculty and beyond around foundational geospatial topics. Please share with associated departments as we encourage participation across disciplines and campus locations. All sessions have in-person offerings, along with an available remote viewing option using Zoom. In addition to these sessions, individualized and group research consultations are available.

Geospatial Data: Diving into library resources and beyond
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 3:30 -4:30 p.m., 211A Pattee Library

This session will provide an overview of geospatial data available from library databases, PolicyMap, SimplyAnalytics, Social Explorer, and Data-Planet. Additional United States and International organizations will be highlighted from maps and geospatial guides, and related resources to guide the user in locating geospatial data relevant to multiple disciplines. Participants will be encouraged to create their own map visualizations with mapping applications during the session.

Geospatial Exploration: Explore mapping and location topics and applications
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 211A Pattee Library

This session provides an overview of geographic information systems (GIS) concepts relevant to applying geospatial components in projects. This session will provide an introduction to geospatial data, introductory topics of projects, data manipulation, and geoprocessing techniques

Geospatial Analysis: Introduction to working with location data and demographic data
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 302 Paterno Library

This session will provide an introduction to using ArcMap software to work with location data and demographic data. This session will work with sample data; however, participants are encouraged to consider and/or use their own data based on research, work, and/or teaching interests. This session will demonstrate general processes of working with location-based data, which may require additional instruction and follow-up in specific contexts, geographic regions, and disciplines.

Geospatial Online: Overview of Online mapping options (ArcGIS Online and more)
Tuesday, Oct. 31, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Location: 211A Pattee Library

This session provides an introduction to ArcGIS Online, a web mapping application which can be used to communicate many spatial research interests across the disciplines. Participants will explore applications created with ArcGIS Online and work with a sample dataset for Centre County, PA to learn the functionality of ArcGIS Online web maps and applications.

– submitted by Tara LaLonde, GIS Specialist, Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information