Recapping the Education Highlights of 2025

Angela Alexander

As we welcome a new year, let’s reflect on the past one as it showcased the power of GIS in education, and highlights new opportunities in 2026.

Each notable event included in this post displays the importance of community in learning and growth. Whether it’s partnerships, conferences, or awards, these moments highlight the power of educators, students, and organizations coming together. By sharing knowledge, resources, and experiences, we create stronger connections that enrich classrooms and inspire collective progress. Community is not just a backdrop to education, it’s the driving force that helps learning flourish and ensures growth is both meaningful and lasting.

Esri Canada GIS in Education and Research Conference

The 6th biennial GIS in Education and Research Conference on October 16, 2025 was a great event that included an inspiring day of learning, sharing, and connection. Find out what the key takeaways were at the conference.

A room full of educators during a conference session.

A K-12 workshop in progress at the conference.

Making a Difference Award – Maximum City

Congrats to Maximum City on receiving Esri Canada’s Making a Difference Award this year on GIS Day. Maximum City offers programs that empower youth to shape urban planning and systems change by using mapping tools to visualize and share ideas for healthier and sustainable communities.

Two men standing at a podium, smiling at the camera while both holding a glass award.

On November 18, 2025, Alex Miller, President of Esri Canada, presented the Making a Difference Award to Josh Fullan, Executive Director of Maximum City, during Esri Canada’s GIS Day event.

K-12 Presentation at the Esri Canada User Conference

The Esri Canada User Conference is now back! Watch the K-12 presentation featuring students from David Suzuki Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario, as they showcase their GIS project identifying the best place to live in Canada using ArcGIS.

Explore the conference proceedings, presentations and resources that are available for review or if you missed the event.

Three teenage girls standing at a podium presenting to a crowd of people.

Manseerat, Michelle and Bhadra– students from David Suzuki Secondary School presented their grade 9 project to a large crowd of GIS professionals at the second day of the Esri Canada User Conference on November 4, 2025.

The Canadian Wildlife Federation Partnership

The new partnership between Esri Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) was announced in November. With this connection, more students, educators, and community groups will gain access to advanced mapping tools and nature-based learning, fostering stronger environmental stewardship across Canada. Watch CWF’s Chief Executive Officer, Sean Southey’s Keynote at the Esri Canada User Conference.

This year, we look forward to continuing our work in supporting the use of GIS and mapping in K-12 schools across the country. Our goal is to empower students to build spatial and data literacy and analytical skills to make informed decisions about the world around them.

Happy New Year!