This year's theme, 'Amplifying the Possibilities of Geospatial Information,' aligns with the possibilities to apply geospatial concepts in broad application areas
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State University Libraries will observe GIS Day, an annual event celebrating the technology of geographic information systems (GIS), on Nov. 17. This year's activities focus on geospatial presentation, networking opportunities and student engagement through trivia games and résumé reviews.
The 2025 theme, "Amplifying the Possibilities of Geospatial Information," aligns with this year's National Geography Awareness Week theme, "Making Spaces of Possibility." Both themes reflect the many possibilities to apply geospatial concepts in broad application areas.
All are welcome to attend, as both new and current users of geospatial information are encouraged to participate in activities. These events are free and open to the public.
Complete information on speakers is available at the Penn State GIS Day website. Session times are aimed toward alignment with class meeting times in order for instructors to incorporate into class sessions.
This event is co-sponsored by the Penn State Department of Geography and the University Libraries. For more information, contact Tara Anthony at [email protected].
Schedule
11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m. Welcome and Lightning Talks
Foster Auditorium (102 Paterno Library) or online via Zoom
Zoom registration
* 11:15-11:20 a.m.: Welcome and introductions
* 11:20-11:25 a.m.: Michael Cattell, undergraduate student, geography, and cartographer, GeoGraphics Lab; Erica King, instructional designer, Pennsylvania Center for the Book. "Mapping Pennsylvania's literacy and cultural heritage"
* 11:25-11:30 a.m.: Finan Turnage-Barney, master of science student, ecosystem science and management. "Developing and validating a hydrologically sensitive area map to guide forest harvesting practices"
* 11:30-11:35 a.m.: Sooyoung Lim, doctoral student, Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography. "Spatial optimization using GAT-based hybrid framework for dockless e-scooter parking zone"
* 11:35-11:40 a.m.: Ruixiang Liu, doctoral student, Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography. "RTGDC: a real-time ingestion and processing approach in geospatial data cube for digital twin of Earth"
* 11:40-11:45 a.m.: Temitope Akinboyewa, doctoral student, Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography. "Enhancing health measure estimation using place visitation big data at the census tract level"
* 11:45-11:50 a.m.: Taylor Blose, GIS officer, Borough of State College. "The evolving role of GIS in the Borough of State College"
* 11:50-11:55 a.m.: Harry Crissy, economic resource development agent, Penn State Extension. "Food system insights using geospatial data"
1:30-3 p.m. Lightning Talks
Foster Auditorium (102 Paterno Library) or online via Zoom
Zoom registration
* 1:30-1:35 p.m.: Welcome and introductions
* 1:35-1:45 p.m.: Ava Blansfield, undergraduate student, geography, and maps and geospatial assistant, Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information. "The evolution of the campus map: 1874 to 2025"
* 1:45-1:55 p.m.: Michael Coupland, undergraduate student, geography, and maps and geospatial assistant, Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information. "Application design for navigating historical aerial imagery"
* 1:55-2:05 p.m.: Bradley Doorn, assistant teaching professor, Online Geospatial Program, Department of Geography. "Earth observations from remote sensing: New technology and impacts on geospatial education"
* 2:05-2:15 p.m.: M. Naser Lessani, doctoral student, Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography. "Multiscale similarity and geographically weighted regression"
* 2:15-2:25 p.m.: Ali Khosravi Kazazi, doctoral student, Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography. "Bridging theory and behavior for health care accessibility modeling"
* 2:25-2:35 p.m.: Zhenlong Li, associate professor, Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography. "Autonomous GIS: the next-generation AI-powered GIS"
* 2:35-2:45 p.m.: Rebecca Bussard, postdoctoral scholar, Department of Geosciences. "Measuring ground subsidence across the Blue and White Golf Course and exploring potential causes"
* 2:45-2:55 p.m.: Jia Arora, undergraduate student, computer science, and research support intern, Pasto Agricultural Museum; Rita Graef, director, collection curator and museum educator, Pasto Agricultural Museum and Armsby Respiration Calorimeter, College of Agricultural Sciences. "Land & Legacy -- a StoryMap project"
3-4:30 p.m.: Reception
Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information, 1 Pattee Library
Networking and opportunity to visit the Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information.
6:30-8:30 p.m.: Games and Résumé Review
Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information, 1 Pattee Library
Geography-themed trivia and an opportunity for résumé reviews provided by affiliates of the Ryan Family Student Center, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.