TEACHING AND LEARNING BEYOND CLASSROOM – LEADING STUDENTS ON LOCAL PROJECTS USING GIS AND GPS TECHNOLOGIES

More than three dozens of students majoring or taking courses with the GeoPhysical Sciences Department at Fitchburg State University have involved in multiple local projects using GIS and GPS technologies. The projects range from Mapping Fitchburg Watershed Trails, Mapping Stone Walls in the Crocker Conservation Area, Bringing Board Band to North Central MA, Community Service Using GIS Mapping, GIS Analysis of Crime Hotspots in Fitchburg, and TravTime Traffic Congestion Study in the Montachusett Region using GPS and GIS. These projects were conducted by students during either class term projects or internships. Students learned beyond classroom by applying GIS and GPS technologies through real-world and hands-on experiences on local communities.