Map Illinois! Tools and Resources for Geospatial Education
MapIllinois.org is dedicated to promoting spatial literacy across Illinois. Teachers are encouraged to introduce their students to online mapping, beginning with their own hometowns. Explore the resources below for inspiration, tools, training options, data sources and more!
All the best to you on your geography adventure!
For inquiries, contact Jenni Dahl at Jenni@thinkgeospatial.education
Classroom Resources
Elementary School
“This is just a sample of what elementary students are able to do with GIS.”
“Expand STEAM learning and spatial thinking in young minds with fun, informative books”
GIS Activities for Young Learners
“Resources for exploring GIS with young learners.“
Learn how K-5 students in Baltimore County , Maryland do at least one GIS activity per year."
School Programs, The Geographic Society of Chicago
Tools for an educational Landscape - The Giant State Traveling Map and the Geosphere
Middle and High School
Get to Know GIS (For Secondary Students)
In this course learn the basics of GIS, work with ArcGIS Online to interact with GIS maps, explore real world problems, and tell a story. Find out how workers use GIS and what it takes to become a GIS professional.
Learn about GIS certificates, degrees and careers by state.
MapMaker makes it easy to teach with maps and includes data and resources for social studies and earth science curricula.
Online Atlas of Illinois for k-12 Classrooms
The Illinois Geographic Alliance, LLC (IGA) and Illinois State University created a free online atlas tailored for AP Human Geography classrooms.
Fun for all Ages
Geography Coloring Book Maker
Print maps to color and learn about geography
Geoprojects
Ready-to-use, no-login, project-based learning with maps
Comparing the Size of Counties
Application to foster knowledge about the shape and size of countries
Not your grandfather’s base maps!
Lindsey fosters awareness of the world (geography) through many STEAM resources and activities.
Ideas and resources to engage students and others using spatial thinking and geotechnologies.
Take Your Work to Kids Challenge
Project ideas to engage children in the world of GIS using ArcGIS Pro
Educators
National Council of Geographic Education (NCGE)
Teacher resources, Professional Development and Connecting
The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, through its DoIT STEAM initiative, provides links to STEAM-related games, labs, programs, and educational opportunities within Illinois, and beyond for teachers, families, and students.
“The Standards and Instruction Department is committed to supporting Illinois schools and educators by providing guidance, resources, and professional learning to support student achievement and equitable learning outcomes.”
“Welcome to Education, where you’ll find updates (Blog), helpful resources (Docs) and places to ask questions (Questions) in your community of interest (Higher Education, K12 Instruction, Administration).”
ArcGIS Mapping Hour
Collection of 20 informal one-hour instructional videos about ArcGIS Online for parents and teachers.
ArcGIS Teacher Testimonials - the Video Challenge
“The teacher video challenge highlights the impressive ArcGIS Online projects created by teachers in the United States who teach kindergarten through 12th grade. After you've explored previous winners, consider nominating yourself.”
Teaching and Learning
This pdf by Esri describes in detail the five step Geographic Inquiry Method to guide the development of geo projects.
Geoinquiry; An Educator’s Guide (National Geographic)
This systematic approach facilitates the development of meaningful geoprojects with an entire class or in small groups.
Tools and tips for integrating GIS into virtual education.
A podcast on spatial thinking and GIS applications.
Third Thursday Webinar (Archived)
Monthly webinars on GIS topics
GIS-based resources for K-12 online education.
ArcGIS Online for K-12 Schools
A hub offering lesson plans, and resources for K-12 educators
ArcGIS Online for K-12 Schools
ArcGIS Online Mapping Software Bundle for Schools
Free ArcGIS Online access for K–12 schools to create and share interactive maps.
Online Maps for Primary and Secondary Schools
GIS for instruction and school administration
Create and Share Online Maps
Step-by-step guide to building and sharing maps with ArcGIS Online.
Guided Lessons cover many topics.
Esri Academy
Live seminars, Free MOOCs, Certificate Programs and more are available for individuals and organizations.
Geoinquiries Instructional Activities with Maps
GeoInquiry Collections by Esri
"GeoInquiries™ are short, standards-based inquiry activities for teaching map-based content found in commonly used textbooks."
"The goal of these wiki-style pages is to help you, the classroom instructor, move beyond the “out-of-the-box” geoinquiries, customizing the maps and activities to your needs."
New GeoInquiries for Atlas and MapMaker
"Over a dozen re-crafted GeoInquiry™ activities specifically for use with the new ArcGIS Instant app called Atlas or the new MapMaker."
Discover maps for your class
An intro to teaching with maps
Free Online Training
A gentle introduction to location technologies
All in one place so they are easy to find.
National Geographic MapMaker
Course to help teachers become comfortable using digital maps in the classroom.
ArcGIS Online Tutorials
Learn how to create and share interactive web maps in ArcGIS Online
Videos
PBS Learning Media - Geospatial Revolution:
Educational videos on GIS impact in society.
Mapping the Pandemic - Geospatial Revolution:
GIS role in tracking COVID-19 spread.
ArcGIS Online Video Bonanza:
Tutorials and use cases for ArcGIS Online.
Degrees and Certificates
Find GIS Degree Programs by State
Lincoln Land Community College GIS Certificate
“The Geographic Information System (GIS) Certificate program is designed to provide a formal, project-based GIS education to develop skills from data management to problem solving using GIS technology. GIS is increasingly utilized by businesses and government agencies to assess and improve operations.”
Esri Story Map Resources
Instructional Story Map Collection
“In this collection you will find instructional content produced by Esri's StoryMaps team.”
Set-up guides for Esri Story Maps
“A monthly magazine celebrating place-based stories and storytellers across a diverse global landscape.”
“Learn to create, customize, and share digital stories, briefings, and collections.”
Illinois Geographic Alliance: A Virtual Workshop for Educators
Ebooks and Magazines
Esri Map Book Gallery
“The maps in this book illustrate many practical ways organizations and individuals are impacting our world and using GIS and The Geographic Approach to help create and manage a better tomorrow.” Jack Dangermond
“10 Big Ideas about Applying
The Science of Where™”
Engaging visual overview of “the mapping and data analysis technology that’s powering business decisions, supporting government operations, and quietly changing the world.”
“Your go-to place for GIS news, views, and insights.”
“Practical, technical resource for ArcGIS users”
“Industry news and ArcGIS updates”
General Resources
Illinois and National Data
GIS Datasets for the State of Illinois and the United States
"ArcGIS Hub is an easy-to-configure cloud platform that organizes people, data, and tools to accomplish Initiatives and goals."
Atlas of Historical County Boundaries,
"The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries is a powerful historical research and reference tool in electronic form." Includes shapefiles.
"The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the nation's leading provider of quality data about its people and economy."
The Illinois Natural Resources Geospatial Data Clearinghouse, Illinois
Special Topics
Social Justice
2024 Solar Eclipse
Social Justice
2024 Solar Eclipse
2024 Solar Eclipse
Nature and the Environment
Nature and the Environment
Student Prize Winning Maps from the "Home Town, Illinois" Contest
Nature and the Environment
Student Prize Winning Maps from the "Home Town, Illinois" Contest
Student Prize Winning Maps from the "Home Town, Illinois" Contest
Student Prize Winning Maps from the "Home Town, Illinois" Contest