Penn State University Libraries will observe GIS Day, an annual event celebrating the technology of geographic information systems (GIS), on Nov. 16. This year's events focus on student success and career readiness via presentations, an alumni career panel, networking opportunities and a new geospatial showcase entitled GeoGallery.
This year's theme of "Mapping the Future: Powering Purpose and Innovation" aligns with the National Geography Awareness Week theme of Mapping the Future, along with the global GIS Day of Powering Purpose and Innovation. A new GIS Day Passport activity provides opportunities to reflect, connect and learn about resources.
All are welcome to attend, as both new and current users of geospatial information are encouraged to participate in activities. These events are free and open to the public. All submissions for participation should be completed by Nov. 5.
Complete information on speakers and events is available below and at the Penn State GIS Day website. Sessions align with class meeting times for instructors to easily incorporate into class sessions.
Building location information is included where applicable and Zoom registration applies to all events scheduled, to follow:
- Career Panel: 10:15 a.m.-11 a.m. in 129 Waring Hall, or via Zoom
- Career Panelists include Michael Cattell, mapping coordinator, Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Evan Polyak, LiDAR Specialist, Tier 1 Utility Design.
- Penn State GIS Day Lightning Talk Presentations, morning session: 11:15 a.m.-noon in 129 Waring Hall, or via Zoom
- 11:20-11:25 a.m.: Michael Cattell, mapping coordinator, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, "Building Mapping Capacity at a Non-Profit Organization"
- 11:25-11:30 a.m.: Scott Pezanowski, consultant, World Health Organization; President, BrightWorld Labs, "Advancing Global Health with Predictive Geospatial AI"
- 11:35-11:40 a.m.: Shane Bulick, partner and general manager, Adaptive Insulation Central PA, "From LiDAR to Heat Loss: Mapping Homes with an iPhone"
- 11: 40-11:45 a.m.: Danielle Curtis, forest technology undergraduate student, Mont Alto, "Paving the Way to Healthier Urban Forests: Quantifying Impervious Surfaces Using GIS"
- 11:45-11:50 a.m.: Grace Tulinsky, master's and doctoral student, Department of Geography, "Mapping Seasonal Surface Water Dynamics in Wetlands Using Satellite Observations"
- 11: 50 a.m.-12:05 p.m.: Discussion and Q&A
- Penn State GIS Day lightning Talk Presentations, afternoon session: 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. in Foster auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, or via Zoom
- 1:35-1:45 p.m.: Zhaoxu Sui, doctoral candidate, Department of Geography, "Making vivid maps to represent spatial vulnerability"
- 1:45-1:55 p.m.: Joshua Smith, MGIS graduate student, Department of Geography, "Finding Your Geospatial Community: Student Organizations at Penn State"
- 1:55-2:05 p.m.: Jason Haley, master's and doctoral student, Department of Geography, "GIS Innovation with Purpose: Insights from a Summer at Esri"
- 2:05-2:15 p.m.: Aldeo Buck, GIS post-baccalaureate certificate student, Department of Geography, "The Ideal Site for Research on Mercury"
- 2:15-2:25 p.m.: Ravindra Tripathi, postdoctoral scholar, College of Information Science and Technology, "Tracking the Wild: Geospatial AI for Animal Movement Modeling"
- 2:25-2:35 p.m.: BC Ray, MGIS graduate student, Department of Geography, "Mapping Environmental Recovery with LiDAR: Vegetation and Disturbed Terrain in the Mount St. Helens Blast Zone"
- 2:35-2:45 p.m.: Tara Anthony, GIS specialist, Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information, "Updates on Esri AI Assistant Features"
- 2:45-3:00 p.m.: Discussion and Q & A
- GeoGallery and Reception: 3:30pm-5:00pm - GeoGallery and Reception, in the Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information, 1 Pattee Library
- The GeoGallery is a GIS Day exhibition showcasing maps, cartography, spatial analysis, and interactive geospatial media from across the Penn State community. The GeoGallery will feature a wide range of print work, including large-format thematic and reference maps, and experimental cartography, alongside digital projects such as StoryMaps, dashboards, interactive web maps, and other geospatial applications.
