Generation GIS: these CASS students definitely aren't lost

Almost 200 area high school and Sault College students visited Algoma University College today to learn about geographic information systems (GIS).

Among them was Central Algoma Secondary School (CASS) student Cody Watson, who said he liked what he saw of Algoma U.

Watson is shown at the back of this group of Central Algoma Secondary School geography students participating in today's International GIS Day activities.

That's Norm Siddall in the front, Joe Deslauriers and Ben Hurd next and Alanna Johnson in the back with Watson.

The purpose of the activities was to celebrate and educate millions of children and adults in more than 90 countries on the benefits of geography and the role GIS plays in its support of geography, said Tom Vair, executive director at the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre.

Vair said the feedback from students so far was very positive.

"They are getting an overview of what GIS does in everyday life, followed by an interactive session where they get to try it out," he said.

The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre is responsible for an interactive address and postal code locator as well as a heritage features map on the city website.

The centre has garnered a number of awards for its innovations and developments in GIS technology in conjunction with community partners.