2015 SAG Award Winners

Northern Arizona University GRAIL & CST&L and NAU Center for Science Teaching and Learning

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Project Goal

Educational researchers, geospatial technology experts, and geologists at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning, Geospatial Research and Information Lab, and Department of Geology at Northern Arizona University collaborated to develop the Power of Data (POD) project. This program supports secondary teachers and college faculty to integrate geospatial technology (GST) into existing courses that could benefit from the examination of spatial data, especially in science, math, technology, and engineering (STEM). Teachers build GST skills and pedagogical abilities during the project, enabling them to develop and ultimately implement GST-integrated project-based instructional units in their courses. A collaborative use of GST in the classroom allows students to investigate real-world problems, engage in scientific practices such as data analysis, develop and practice 21st-century and soft workforce skills, increase their awareness and interest in careers that utilize geospatial data.
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Business Problem Solved

The geospatial workforce is a growing industry, but public awareness of the field is lacking. When teachers use powerful GST tools for teaching and learning, public awareness grows. Through both face-to-face teacher professional development programs and an open, online course, the Power of Data project has helped 150 teachers across the country integrate GST into their existing courses thus increasing recognition of the geospatial industry and leading to more students entering geospatial and STEM-related fields.

Technology Implemented

In partnership with Esri, we have obtained and continue to manage a statewide K-12 site license for ArcGIS for Desktop software. Through the ConnectEd initiative, teachers now have access to the ArcGIS online organizational accounts as well.

Development Team Biography

Mark Manone is an Associate Professor at Northern Arizona University. His teaching and research are focused on the fields of GIS and Science Education. He is involved in multiple National Science Foundation grants that work with using geospatial technologies in research and in the classroom. Mark is also very active in service to the geospatial community outside of NAU and enjoys teaching internationally during the summer in Siena, Italy.


Lori Rubino-Hare is a Professional Development Coordinator at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning at Northern Arizona University. She has led pedagogical instruction on multiple STEM and geospatial technology grant-funded projects. Lori is a Teacher Consultant for the Arizona Geographic Alliance, and coordinated the effort to bring the Esri K-12 statewide site license to Arizona. She has presented her research and programs in STEM education internationally.