GIS Day at UGA

It's only been a few years now that practically everyone has been walking around with super computers in their pockets - answers to everything, weather anywhere, oh and maps - lots of maps, any maps - all centered on where you are at any given moment. How does all of that work? Georgraphic information systems are designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographical data. The acronym GIS is sometimes used for geographic information science (GIScience) to refer to the academic discipline that studies geographic information systems, a research area in our geography department. To illucidate all of this further, the UGA Libraries is sponsoring GIS Day at UGA tomorrow, Nov. 16 in the sub-basement of the Main Library:

The event will feature a drone demonstration, lightening talks on real-world GIS applications, UGA Map and Government Information Library tours, information on internship opportunities, and booths highlighting projects from diverse departments and organizations around campus. Light snacks and interactive activities will also be provided. 

GIS refers to software that captures, analyzes, displays and shares spatial or geographical data. Through maps, spatial modeling, and other applications, GIS provides critical information for public health, government planning, neighborhood real estate, national defense, business, transportation and many more fields.

GIS Day at UGA is sponsored by the Department of Geography, Community Mapping Lab, Center for Geospatial Research, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Integrative Conservation PhD Program, Center for Integrative Conservation Research and the Map and Government Information Library. It will feature speakers from the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, College of Environment and Design, Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department, Willson Center for Humanities and Arts, Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s Information Technology Outreach Services (ITOS) and NASA DEVELOP.

This subject involves many of our students and faculty, connecting their work within many fields, described above, and affecting our daily lives in innumerable ways. Understand it better from these discussions and demonstrations and make sure you are using technology rather than the other way around.  As well, the GIS could play a role in any number of careers not obviously related to spatial information or geography. You never know, but check your phone. Free and open to the public, 11 am to 2 pm.