Geospatial Integration Office showcases technology to area students

  • Published
  • By Roger Gragg
  • AFCEC Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  The Air Force Civil Engineer Center's Geospatial Integration Office gave local students a glimpse at the latest technology used to manage the service's GeoBase program during Alamo Area Geographic Information Systems Day Nov. 14 in San Antonio.

The AFCEC team joined other San Antonio-area GIS professionals to give students and the general public an opportunity to learn about career opportunities and see how GIS technology impacts day-to-day life. Presenters highlighted growing and dynamic technology through presentations, exhibits and hands-on demonstrations.

At the AFCEC booth, students were treated to a wide-range of GIS applications including a view of orbiting satellites and space debris; river and stream gauges from around the area; force location data and flight plans; and installation diagrams detailing services and utilities near proposed building sites. Visitors to the booth, named most informative at the event, were also able to use the Google Earth flight simulator program and try their hand at the controls.

"It's cool to see all the different ways you can use the maps," said one Smithson Valley student.

More than 375 students attended the event. The first-hand look at state-of-the-art technology encourages them to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education, said Cecilio Martinez, the GIS Day co-planner.

"With presentations on a variety of popular topics including drones and mapping, how GIS can be used to help find Bigfoot, and how GIS is playing a vital role for our armed forces, this year's program exceeded expectation of attendees," Martinez said.

The experience helps students understand there are many opportunities in the field, said teacher Melissa Blohm, who brought 74 students from her pre-advanced placement world geography program at LaVernia High School.

"This event allows the students to see there is more to this than Google Earth. It creates a greater interest in geography and shows them different career fields in GIS and the mapping industry," she said.

The AFCEC GIS program is part of the planning and integration directorate and, as of Oct. 1, is the home of the Air Force GeoBase Office. Scott Ensign, geospatial integration officer at AFCEC, is excited the center has primary responsibility for the growing program.

"The GeoBase program uses GIS technology as a way to manage and visualize infrastructure data, from manhole covers to building floor plans. It is really about utilizing the information we have, connecting it, and making it available to complete the mission," he said.

Joined at the Alamo Area GIS Day by other members of AFCEC's GeoIntegration Office, including Greg Czerniak, Dave Foster, Bill Unsinn, Paul Ulmer and Alex Pineda, Ensign said he enjoyed the opportunity to interact with the students and share his passion for the technology. This was the first year AFCEC participated in the annual event and the team hopes it won't be the last.

"I think it provides a unique insight into a technology, and an industry, that the students might not know exists," Ensign said.