GIS is in the STEM Standards Framework for Grades K-5
This introductory K-5 course helps younger students begin developing introductory skills and a foundational knowledge base important to subsequent STEM fields of study. This course is intentionally designed to help prepare students for entry into the middle school STEM Foundations I course. It is important to note that this course may be implemented flexibly to meet individual district needs within the K-5 grade band.
The TGA sees opportunity to incorporate GIS when engaging STEM Fields Exploration Standards which are designed to equip students with an understanding of STEM careers and occupations.
The TGA sees opportunity to incorporate GIS when engaging STEM Fields Exploration Standards which are designed to equip students with an understanding of STEM careers and occupations.
- Analyze career opportunities and occupations that exist in a variety of STEM fields
- Explore how technology is integrated into different career fields and occupations
- Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographic data.
| k-5_stem_standards.docx |
We would like you to take advantage of the following resources:
Using GIS in K-5 can be fun!
- K-5 STEM teachers should get to know the STEAM at Work! characters. Especially Lindsey the GIS Professional Flip Book and Resources.
- Esri’s GeoInquiries are short, standards-based inquiry activities for teaching map-based content found in commonly used textbooks. GeoInquiries are composed of three parts: a PDF teacher guide, an interactive webmap, and an optional student worksheet. One of these collections is dedicated to Elementary School although I would encourage you to examine some of the other collections to see if you find more GeoInquiries you could use. There is a section specifically curated for Upper Elementary School.
- Explore the world from your very own room with these educational Carmen Sandiego games. Track down the famous super-sleuth on Google Earth or discover the wonders of the world through Google Expeditions.
- National Geographic’s MapMaker is an online mapping tool for exploring the world through a variety of basemaps, data layers, and annotation options. With this web-based app, anyone can visually experience and interact with geospatial information about Earth’s interconnected social and physical systems while also exploring the art of mapmaking.