Jefferson County Public Schools G.I.S. Map Showcase & Competition

On May 10, 2005 25 students from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) career pathway programs participated in the 3rd Annual Map Showcase and Competition hosted by the University of Louisville's Department of Geography and Geosciences. This event recognized the talents and achievements of area students while raising awareness about the GIS career pathway programs that exist within area schools. Additionally, this event illustrated to students the differing styles of map making and allowed them to gain feedback from the professional community as they further develop their skills. Students submitted maps to either the Analytical or Cartographic category, which were judge by area GIS professionals, and had their maps judged by the event attendees for the Fan Favorite division. The individuals who produced the top maps (winners list) were awarded over $500 worth prizes and gift certificates. The Competition would not have been made possible with out the support of the following sponsors.

Kammerer Middle School Career Awareness Camp

From June 6th-10th Kammerer Middle School students participated in a career awareness camp that introduced them to a variety of careers and industry's that exist with in Louisville Metro. This camp, which was supported by a mini grant from the Jefferson County Public Schools: School-to-Career Office, was a one-week camp that engaged young people to experience hands-on the variety of careers that exist in the community while also building their communication and critical thinking skills. During the summer of 2005, students had the opportunity to visit and learn about LG&E Energy, Courier-Journal, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, and Jewish Hospital. Whether it was hands on experience mapping Waterfront Park (view maps) with GPS units, riding in 50 foot bucket trucks at LG&E (view gallery), or coming up close with the $80 million printing presses at the Courier-Journal, Kammerer students were able to experience an exciting and behind the scenes tour of many of the careers and places that few get to experience in Louisville Metro.

STLP Middle School Technology Camp

Middle school students from around Jefferson County descended upon Waterfront Park on May 31st using GPS technology to create web pages that mapped out the park and illustrated interesting features in or near Waterfront Park. Day one of the camp was lead by Dr. Tim Stombaugh, Assistant Professor of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Kentucky, who explained the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to students. Dr. Stombaugh introduced GPS technology to the students and illustrated how it can be properly used for spatial data collection. Students became familiar with GPS technology, the equipment and how it works, proper field data collection techniques, and how to incorporate the field data into a GIS database. Students worked in teams utilizing handheld GPS units to collect data points and tracks from Waterfront Park and produced digital maps from the data collected. The following two days of the camp were held at Jaeger Education Center learning Adobe GoLive and using it to create Web pages from the maps generated, incorporating the digital pictures taken, and the data gathered at Waterfront Park. To view the student's maps, click here and choose one of the middle schools from the drop down menu.

MTTC Computer Bench Tech Challenge

Imagine only have 90 minutes to diagnose, repair, and make operational a damaged computer with multiple software and hardware glitches while being questioned by judges and overseen by an audience of 150 people. On February 25, 2005 twenty-four students from Eastern High School did just that as they participated in the inaugural MTTC Computer Bench Tech Challenge sponsored in partnership by TeN and Xodiax Data Centers. This event, which was held at Eastern High school, provided students the opportunity to further develop their technology skills, enhance the culture of technology education, raise awareness about technology education programs, and foster an environment for business to become engaged with education. Challengers qualified by scoring in the top 24 on a written exam and were judged during the Challenge in the following three areas: Communication, Speed, and Accuracy, while competing for over $5,000 in prizes and awards. Sam Snyder was awarded the Golden Motherboard trophy as the top finisher for the inaugural MTTC Computer Bench Tech Challenge. The event would not have been made possible with out the support of the following sponsors.