Introducing GIS Ambassador Badges
Starting this month, we will recognize GIS Ambassador work through a new initiative - GIS Ambassador Badges. This will tell the world what GIS Ambassadors have done to support the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in K-12 education. Learn more about the GIS Ambassador Badge Initiative in this blog post.
Annually, GIS Ambassadors are introducing Canadian educators and students to ArcGIS and allowing them to see the power of GIS to think spatially. Students learn how to use this tool to explore and analyse local, region and global issues, while gaining a deeper understanding of how it can be used in the real world.
To encourage and support the work GIS Ambassadors are doing with education communities across Canada, we are launching the GIS Ambassador Badge Initiative. Badges are a great way to recognize work that is being done by GIS Ambassadors and to share with others what they have done. We also want this to be an incentive for GIS Ambassadors to reach out to more schools as the goal of the program is to turn more students into spatial and critical thinkers by using GIS.
Our vision is to imagine every student in Canada using ArcGIS to map, analyse and learn about their communities and to find solutions to issues in their community, Canada and around the world. With the GIS Ambassador Program and the Badge Initiative, this is possible.
GIS Ambassador Badges are a great way to show the world how you are supporting the K-12 education community in Canada.
GIS Ambassador Badge Criteria
There are different GIS Ambassador Badges based on work that has been done by a GIS Ambassador. Badges are reflective of the work done in a calendar year. Therefore, GIS Ambassadors will have to submit their work to obtain updated badges on an annual basis. Below is the list of GIS Ambassador Badges:
Leader (Beginner)
A GIS Ambassador who's supported a K-12 class or teacher (this can be through a workshop, presentation or project support) or converted at least one school in using ArcGIS in their teaching and learning in the last year.
Builder (Intermediate)
A GIS Ambassador who’s completed at least five workshops/presentations/support or converted at least five schools to active use of ArcGIS in their teaching and learning program in the last year.
Advocate (Advanced)
A GIS Ambassador who’s done ten or more workshops/presentations/support or converted at least ten schools to active use of ArcGIS in their teaching and learning program in the last year.
GIS Day Champion
A GIS Ambassador who has done something to support at least one K-12 school on GIS Day or in the month November. This will be recognized by year the activity is completed.
GIS Ambassador of the Month
A GIS Ambassador who has been highlighted for their work in supporting the use of GIS in K-12 education. This recognition includes other benefits such as publicity in a blog post, social media promotion, and an invitation for free registration at an Esri Canada User Conference. This one is the only badge that a GIS Ambassador doesn’t have to submit information to acquire the badge, as they are rewarded it by Esri Canada. The badge will be sent to the recipient within a week of the blog post being published.
How can you submit your information for a badge?
Once you are ready to share your information, go to the Badge Survey to inform us of your GIS Ambassador work. We will send a copy of your badge within 3 business days that can be added to your LinkedIn profile and your email signature.
We encourage GIS Ambassadors to work towards obtaining these badges as soon as possible. Next month, we will blog about upcoming events in the fall that will support this new initiative.
Are you a teacher who has been working with a GIS Ambassador? Well, let them know about this new program.
If you have any questions about the GIS Ambassador Badge Initiative, contact k12@esri.ca.
This post was translated to French and can be viewed here.