Four hundred students in grades four through 12 from throughout Utah County and beyond spent a day last week learning a variety of skills and occupations pertaining to the field of Geographic Information Systems.

Though Geographic Information Systems Day was Wednesday, the students, including a group from Cedar Ridge Elementary in Cedar Hills, celebrated a week early. Geographic Information Systems Day is an event recognized globally, in conjunction with National Geography week. Its purpose is to educate students and adults regarding geography and the many applications of GIS in day-to-day life.

The event on Nov. 9 was sponsored by Utah Valley GIS User Group, an organization of professionals who work in the fields of GIS. Some of the presentations included surveying with maps, LiDAR mapping technology, computer GPS and mapping technology and the history of aerial photography.

Following the workshops, students were treated to cake provided by the Utah Geographic Alliance.

Students like Taylor Nielsen, a fifth-grader, gained an appreciation for geography.

“It was fun to learn about maps and how to find places with maps,” she said. “It was cool to see how geography can help us go places and learn about the world.”

Harrison Kaylor, also in fifth grade, agreed with Nielsen.

“I liked learning about maps and taking pictures for maps,” he said. “This is important for us because one of us might grow up and be a mapmaker and we will all use them.”

Helping the students plan for the future is one of the things Brent Brown, a fifth-grade teacher, thought was an important element of the event.

“It was nice that each one of these instructors talked about the importance of getting a degree and furthering their education,” he said. “They stressed the importance of math and science. It’s nice for the students to see people who are successful in the ‘real world,’ emphasize the importance of education.”

Steve Johnson, GIS state coordinator and stormwater engineering specialist for Orem city, played a leading role in organizing this event. Johnson stressed it is because of the ideas and efforts of many individuals that this event has been made possible.

“The professionals who participate take a full day off of work to present but also put a lot of time and effort into preparing maps and other aids for their presentations,” he said.

Run King, fifth-grade teacher at Cedar Ridge and secretary and treasurer of the Utah Geographic Alliance, explained the assistance these professional have provided educators in addition to GIS day.

“They provide mentors that come to the school to work with teachers and students,” she said. “In addition, they provide a day for the students to get excited about geography and allow them to see how it is such a large part of their everyday lives.”

Johnson shares King’s views on the importance of geography in education and also the need for people to become more familiar with Geographic Information Systems.

“Many people are unaware of how much GIS touches everyone’s life on a daily basis,” he said. “Programs like ‘Google Map’ and other geographic information systems are used by people every day. This is a good way to provide awareness to this important field and to promote the idea that geography is part of our world.”