Map Illinois
MapIllinois.org is dedicated to promoting spatial literacy across Illinois. Explore the resources below for inspiration, tools, training options, data sources and more! For more information, contact Jenni Dahl thinkgeospatial.education@gmail.com
Featured Resource: Fun Facts about Illinois towns
On April 10. 2024 Rochester High School hosted the 2024 Central Illinois STEM Fair. This annual event brings together students and their families, educators and others interested in STEM education. Those who stopped by Lincoln Land Community College's Geography Exhibit were invited to particpate in a brief survey. They were asked this question: "Name one thing unique or interesting about your town". Then they were asked to put their town on the map. 27 people at the Fair participated. There were many interesting responses. By exploring this map you will learn many fun facts about Central Illinois towns!
Classroom Resources
Elementary School
Middle and High School
Middle and High 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 Coun
“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
Middle and High School
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.
MapMaker makes it easy to teach with maps and includes dat
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.
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.
Learn about GIS certificates, degrees and careers by state.
Fun for all Ages
Middle and High School
ArcGIS Earth is a free application designed for visualizing and exploring geospatial content in 3D on desktop and mobile devices.
Comparing the Size of Counties
Application to foster knowledge about the shape and size of countries
Not your grandfather’s base maps!
Geography Coloring Book Maker
Print maps to color an
ArcGIS Earth is a free application designed for visualizing and exploring geospatial content in 3D on desktop and mobile devices.
Comparing the Size of Counties
Application to foster knowledge about the shape and size of countries
Not your grandfather’s base maps!
Geography Coloring Book Maker
Print maps to color and learn about geography
Geoprojects
Ready-to-use, no-login, project-based learning with 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
The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology offers links to STEAM-related games, labs, programs, and educational opportunities for teachers, families, and students.
Find updates, resources, and community discussions for K-12 and higher education educators.
National Coun
The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology offers links to STEAM-related games, labs, programs, and educational opportunities for teachers, families, and students.
Find updates, resources, and community discussions for K-12 and higher education educators.
National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE): Resources, professional development, and networking for educators.
ISBE Learning Standards (Illinois State Board of Education)
The Illinois State Board of Education provides guidance, resources, and professional learning to support student success and equitable outcomes.
A collection of 20 one-hour instructional videos on ArcGIS Online for parents and teachers.
Teacher Testimonials - the Video Challenge (ArcGIS Online)
Explore impressive ArcGIS Online projects by U.S. K-12 teachers and consider submitting your own.
Teaching and Learning
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.
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 Lesso
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
Geoinquiries Instructional Activities with Maps
Geoinquiries Instructional Activities with Maps
GeoInquiry Collections by Esri
GeoInquiries™ are short, standards-based activities for teaching map-based content.
Customize GeoInquiries to fit your classroom needs with wiki-style resources.
New GeoInquiries for Atlas and MapMaker
Dozen+ re-crafted GeoInquiries™ for use with the ArcGIS Instant app, Atlas, and MapMaker.
GeoInquiry Collections by Esri
GeoInquiries™ are short, standards-based activities for teaching map-based content.
Customize GeoInquiries to fit your classroom needs with wiki-style resources.
New GeoInquiries for Atlas and MapMaker
Dozen+ re-crafted GeoInquiries™ for use with the ArcGIS Instant app, Atlas, and MapMaker.
Discover maps for your class
An intro to teaching with maps
Free Online Training
Geoinquiries Instructional Activities with Maps
Geoinquiries Instructional Activities with Maps
All in one place so they are easy to find.
ArcGIS Online Tutorials Learn how to create and share interactive web maps in ArcGIS Online
A gentle introduction to location technologies
National Geographic MapMaker
Course to help teachers become comfortable using digital maps in the classroom.
Videos
Geoinquiries Instructional Activities with Maps
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.
Collection Apps
ArcGIS Online Orgs
“Collect reliable data on the go”
Design smart forms and Surveys
ArcGIS Online Orgs
ArcGIS Online Orgs
ArcGIS Online Orgs
Historical Maps
ArcGIS Online Orgs
ArcGIS Online Orgs
“Explore the past on an interactive map with a timeline. Search for detailed high-resolution scanned maps and see what happened in your chosen place in the past.”
“The David Rumsey Map Collection was started over 35 years ago and contains more than 200,000 maps.”
Featured Illinois colleges and Universities
Featured Illinois Colleges with GIS Certificates
Iilinois State University, Geographic Information Science
“Potential careers include Cartographer, GIS Technician, GIS Analyst, GIS Developer, or Image Analyst in the following areas: urban planning, transportation management, facilities planning, forestry, landuse analysis, surveying, geodesy, logistics, environmental management, natural resource management, humanitarian relief, and government defense or intelligence.”
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.”
University of Illinois in Springfield Graduate GIS Certificate
“Elevate your career with the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from the University of Illinois Springfield. This program offers a comprehensive suite of geospatial analytical skills, suitable for both academic and practical careers. Open to on-campus and online students, it does not require enrollment in a degree program at UIS.”
Careers
“In today’s data-driven environment, there are growing opportunities to specialize as a GIS professional and to enrich other career paths with GIS skills such as data visualization and spatial analysis.”
Explore Careers in GIS Videos (Esri and Pathful Explores)
“Esri and Pathful Explore are partnered to empower students to explore the possibilities of GIS careers.”
Geospatial Technology Competency Model
“The Geospatial Technology Competency Model framework was developed through a collaborative effort involving the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), the GeoTech Center, and industry experts.”
Reasons to Consider a GIS Career
ArcUser Online Article
GIS Communities
IL Ed ArcGIS Online Organization
Illinois K-12 Map Portal
IL Geographic Alliance (IGA)
“Our purpose is the promotion and enhancement of geographic knowledge in the schools and among the general populace of Illinois.”
IL Geographical Society (IGS)
“IGS seeks to promote scientific research in geography, encourage better teaching of geography at all levels, diffuse geographic knowledge, and unify geographic interest in the state. The Society's peer-reviewed journal, Illinois Geographer, is published once a year.”
IL GIS Association (ILGISA)
“ILGISA serves GIS professionals from the public and private sector. We offer technical training and education opportunities, awards for service, an annual student scholarship and map competition.”
“More Than Maps has been a long time in the making. With a collection of antique and collectible maps, globes, geography textbooks, and ephemera, this company will feature a variety of opportunities”
The Geographic Society of Chicago (GSC)
“The Geographic Society of Chicago (GSC) is involved with anything and everything related to the study of geography. Our members and contributors come from all walks of life, all sharing one thing: an unrelenting love and devotion to geographical pursuits.”
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”
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
Data Resources
Global Data
National Data
National Data
“Travel the globe with CIA’s World Factbook.”
“The Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem is the next step in the evolution of Earth observation data.”
NASA's Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SECAC)
“SEDAC develops and maintains extensive fundamental data on human settlements, infrastructure, and po
“Travel the globe with CIA’s World Factbook.”
“The Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem is the next step in the evolution of Earth observation data.”
NASA's Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SECAC)
“SEDAC develops and maintains extensive fundamental data on human settlements, infrastructure, and population that underpin many different science and application areas.”
“Making Natural Earth is a collaboration involving many volunteer NACIS members and cartographers around the globe. “
“High-Resolution Topography Data and Tools”
Integrated population and environmental data
UN Sustainable Development Goals
17 Goals to Transform Our World
National Data
National Data
National Data
An easy-to-configure cloud platform that organizes people, data, and tools
Atlas of Historical County Boundaries,
A powerful historical research and reference tool in electronic form." Includes shapefiles.
Federal Agencies are Maing Great Content, A Story Map Collection
Collection by Esri's StoryMaps team
“The Nation
An easy-to-configure cloud platform that organizes people, data, and tools
Atlas of Historical County Boundaries,
A powerful historical research and reference tool in electronic form." Includes shapefiles.
Federal Agencies are Maing Great Content, A Story Map Collection
Collection by Esri's StoryMaps team
“The National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) is a geospatial database that contains current effective flood hazard data.”
NASA Citizen Science for Earth Systems
Focused on developing & implementing projects that harness contributions from members of the general public to advance understanding of Earth.
Collections with maps
Tabs include: news and features; teaching climate, resilience tool kit and more!
“A GIS application using Esri's ArcGIS Online to make NOAA's geospatial data, maps, layers, and analytics available to the public for browsing.”
NOAA National Center for Enviornmental Information
Provides environmental data, products & services covering the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun to drive resilience, prosperity, & equity for current & future generations.
National Center for Environmental Information
The nation's leading provider of quality data about its people and economy.
Tips and tricks for accessing and creating maps with US Centsus data. (*Links to YouTube Videos on the “Data Gem” page aren’t working at this time. Use link below to access the videos.)
US Census Bureau “Data Gems” Playlist
Links to the “Census Gem”playlist on the “ThinkGeospatial” YouTube Channel
US Census Bureau TIGER/ Line Shapefiles
Shapefile - 2007 to Present
Natural Resource Conservation Service. Contains links to Census data and imagery.
Food Access Research Atlas
Worldwide events magnitude 4.5 and greater
Search for and download dates related to geological events
Illinois Data
National Data
Illinois Data
“The mission of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program is to employ geospatial technology to cost-effectively improve the delivery of services and the quality of decision-making for the City of Chicago.”
Christian County Maps
Supervisor of Assessments
“The mission of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program is to employ geospatial technology to cost-effectively improve the delivery of services and the quality of decision-making for the City of Chicago.”
Christian County Maps
Supervisor of Assessments
Dupage County Interactive Map Gallery
Illinois Natural Resources Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
“ Hosted by the Illinois State Geological Survey since July 1, 1997, the Illinois Clearinghouse has become the de facto starting point for the GIS and remote sensing user communities in Illinois.”
GIS Datasets for the State of Illinois and the United States
“A collection of interactive maps showing information in Morgan County”
Interactive maps showing information about Sangamon County
“Official Results - Late Vote by Mail and Provisional Ballots are now included” Use this data to make your own election result map.
Special topics - resources, project ideas and examples
Ancestory
Ancestory
“Through leading educators from around the country AncestryClassroom® has developed lesson plans targeting a number of core subjects. Download lesson plans in PDF format here.” Free to educators.
Family Migration - 1950 (Story Map)
Where did your family live in the USA during 1950?
from AncestryClassroom & Esri Education
“Through leading educators from around the country AncestryClassroom® has developed lesson plans targeting a number of core subjects. Download lesson plans in PDF format here.” Free to educators.
Family Migration - 1950 (Story Map)
Where did your family live in the USA during 1950?
from AncestryClassroom & Esri Education
Telling Family Hstories With Story Maps
Teaching GIS While Learning about the Past
ArcUser article
Civics
Ancestory
Presidential Election Timeline
GIS and Elections—Quick start guide by the Election Assistance Commission in PDF
Diversity and Culture
“Esri Diversity Index data by Region, State, County, and ZIP Code for years 2020, 2024, and 2029”
Analyze Racial Inequality During COVID-19
Racial Equity Tools and Resources
Solar Eclipse, 2024
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
Geospatial Conservancy at the Nature Conservancy
“Nowhere, but here”
Participatory Science at the EPA
Engaging the Public in Environmental Protection
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