North Carolina to Offer Esri GIS to All K–12 Schools in State

With the signing of a statewide license for unlimited classroom use of Esri's ArcGIS software, K–12 schools in North Carolina have initiated a comprehensive program to introduce geospatial technology to their students. The license will be administered by Dr. Reed Perkins, chair, Division of Math and Natural Sciences, Queens University of Charlotte, who is a longtime advocate for GIS education in the secondary school system.

"The statewide license is an opportunity to open K–12 students' eyes to the power and wonder of GIS," says Perkins. "Taught in the right way, GIS is a self-priming pump. A little exposure to GIS gets people wanting to know even more. The fact that the license covers the entire state will have an enormous impact because, like many states, there are parts of North Carolina without the resources to support a full site license. This gives every district, school, and formal youth club the opportunity to share twenty-first-century geospatial technology and imagination with its students."

In addition to all K–12 schools in the state, North Carolina's license includes after-school programs like 4-H clubs, Scout troops, and Boys & Girls Clubs. Perkins indicates that GIS professionals and educators from around the state will contribute to this initiative by installing software and helping teachers integrate ArcGIS into their lesson plans.

"North Carolina has a long history of GIS in its schools, and some educators have taught ArcGIS for many years," says Charlie Fitzpatrick, Esri K–12 Schools Program manager. "With its statewide license, every K–12 student in any class or club in the state can use GIS in school or online, building for college and career."

Queens University of Charlotte is a private, co-ed, Presbyterian-affiliated comprehensive university with a commitment to both liberal arts and professional studies. Located in the heart of historic Charlotte, Queens serves approximately 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students through its College of Arts and Sciences, the McColl School of Business, the Wayland H. Cato, Jr. School of Education, the James L. Knight School of Communication, Hayworth College for Adult Studies and the Andrew Blair College of Health which features the Presbyterian School of Nursing.