2017 GIS in the Rockies presentation

1. GIS @ Altitude
Steven Hick
Professor of the Practice – GIS
Department of Geography and the Environment
Academic Director
University College
University of Denver

2. Abstract
For years at this conference and others, I have spoken on the evolving GIS
education environment. Topics have included general GIS education, specialty
GIS courses, universal course design, online learning, and blended learning.
This year it is time to talk about learning in the field, specifically, GIS at
altitude.
Since 1937 the University of Denver has conducted research and engaged in
learning at elevations above 10,000 feet and as high as 14,265 feet on Mount
Evans along the Front Range of Colorado and only 50 miles from Denver. The
University of Denver maintains a Field Station and High-Altitude Research
Facility above Echo Lake and on the summit of Mt. Evans. For decades, this
facility has been the location of many alpine ecology, biology and geology
classes. Now the Field Station is a base of operations for GIS/GPS classes. In
this presentation, we will cover the opportunities and logistics of learning at
high altitude and look at the future of GIS at altitude.
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3. The University of Denver
Both DU and Denver rose out
of the Colorado frontier and
have developed in tandem
ever since. We were founded
in 1864 as the Colorado
Seminary, only six years after
the founding of Denver City in
what was then the Colorado
Territory. As Denver grew
from a gold rush boom town
with a population of around
3,000 into one of the largest
and most cosmopolitan cities
of the interior West, we too
evolved from our roots as a
Methodist seminary into a
global intellectual center in a
city on the rise. 3

4. GIS @ DU
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5. Let’s go…
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6. Location – Arapaho and Roosevelt
National Forests
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9. Field Station – High-Altitude Lab
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12. The summit
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13. We share the summit
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14. GPS base station
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15. My role
Director of
the facility
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16. What goes on at the field station?
Research
Teaching
Retreats and meetings
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17. Research

18. Cosmic Ray research in the early
days
Dedication
of plaque
October 19,
2017
American
Physical
Society
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19. Snotel
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20. Gravity
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21. Teaching
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22. GIS and GPS @ 10,600
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25. Why GIS in the field?
GPS has to be in the field. Might as well make the experience
memorable.
According to the National Research Council Learning to Think
Spatially report (2006), spatial thinking and uncovering spatial
patterns are fundamental to understanding. What better place
than out in cool “space.”
A change in habit and routine in daily life and learning life.
Working (and living) with a team.
Did I mention “make the experience memorable?”
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27. Retreats
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28. The future
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29. More classes in more creative
formats
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30. Questions?
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31. For more information
Steven Hick
steven.hick@du.edu
303.871.2535
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32. The end
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