Lakeland Community College is joining the global community to recognize the important role that geographic information systems (GIS) play in the world of government, business and the sciences. The event, called “GIS Day” is slated for Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the main campus at 7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland, in Room A-2100.

The celebration for GIS Day will include exhibits, demonstrations and presentations from area experts that will highlight the various uses for GIS and the latest technologies that are being incorporated into the field, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). There will be presentations on watershed planning, humanitarian and high-resolution mapping as well as an opportunity for guests to tour the geospatial technology lab and create their own maps. Professors will also be on hand to answer questions about Lakeland’s geospatial technology degree and certificate programs.

Free food and refreshments will be served.

The event is supported in part with a grant from the Ohio Space Grant Consortium.

About geographic information systems

GIS uses mapping technologies to capture, analyze and display information that is used to understand the world more completely.

Data can be used in:

• The business world for marketing, logistics, insurance risk analysis, banking and real estate.
• All levels of government for economic development, emergency and natural disaster management, crime mapping, disease profiling and traffic planning.
• Environmental research to understand animal habitats, vegetation, changes in land and how best to develop parks and protected areas.
• Natural resource exploration and management, such as telling miners where to mine, drillers the best options for running pipe, and farmers where to plant crops for the most yield.
• Utility company charting to understand and restore outages, plan distribution and construction, and respond to emergencies.

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes geospatial technology as a high-growth career field.

For more information, contact Lisa Stanich at 440.525.7785 or email lstanich@lakelandcc.edu.

By: Lisa Stanich