Tag Archives: UCF

Spatial Sociology and GIS Now Available in UCF Sociology BA to PhD Program

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New Spatial Sociology and GIS Area of Specialization in UCF Sociology. Shares welcome.

Years in the making, it’s finally here beginning with the launch of our new BA to PhD program in August 2023.

Apply now to join a dynamic department in the heart of Orlando, FL. We are one of the only US universities with a Spatial Sociology areas of specialization.

Apps due January 1. Apply now at: https://sciences.ucf.edu/sociology/graduate/ 

The Spatial Sociology & GIS area of specialization examines the intersections of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related geospatial technologies and society. The area considers how such technologies: interact with social groups and society; create space and place; and can be applied to examine social and environmental disparities, public health issues, and crime patterns. The area emphasizes theoretical, critical, community-based, and applied foundations of spatial sociology, GIS, and related geospatial technologies.

Our research organization, Citizen Science GIS and GeoBus at UCF, is housed in UCF Sociology and the College of Sciences. We have been leaders in this interdisciplinary work for years. I hope you might consider joining us!

GIS Hero Honor from Esri

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Not all heroes where capes, but sometimes they get to work closely with incredible humans who dream big to support the next generation.
I am so humbled to be named an Esri GIS Hero for our team’s work bringing the nation’s 1st GeoBus to life through our Citizen Science GIS & GeoBus work at University of Central Florida.
Thanks to our friends at Esri for always supporting our work. I first met Esri folks way back in 2002 as a Esri User Conference student volunteer in San Diego. That was a transformational experience for me, and over the last 20 years, I’ve worked with so many amazing folks at Esri to do science that matters. I am grateful. I am honored and appreciative of this recognition and can’t wait to see what’s next down the road for GeoBus at UCF!
Check out the full story in the summer issue of ArcNews.
GeoBus mobile lab parked at University of Central Florida.

GeoBus parked at UCF. Photo credit: Tyler Copeland.

National Geographic Explorer News

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I am honored, humbled and excited to be selected as a 2022 National Geographic Explorer. This opportunity is a life-long dream, and will amplify the launch of the nation’s first GeoBus in a big way. Don’t worry friends, I’m still in my associate professor role at UCF.

In the field drone mapping in the San Juan Islands, WA (July 2021) as part of our NSF grant with the Smithsonian. Photo credit: Tyler Copeland

I’ll have so much more to say soon, including a great deal of thanks/gratitude to a ton of folks who helped to make this dream become a reality. But for now, just know that I am thrilled, excited, and full of energy (even more energy than usual, if you can believe it). I can’t wait to share more about this journey
in the coming year.

Look for my Explorer Blog “The Road to GeoBus” to begin in February as our team of students, teachers, youth, and community partners work to drive science’s next generation with the first mobile learning lab of its kind in the United States.

Image shows the GeoBus and its solar panel installation at local solar facility.

GeoBus solar panel installation at 15lightyears in Longwood, FL (Feb 2020). Photo credit: Tyler Copeland.

I am grateful for National Geographic and their belief in our work. And I am thrilled to be back in the National Geographic community, having previously worked with National Geographic as the
State of Florida Geography Steward from 2018-2020 and as the Georgia Geographic Alliance Coordinator and Director of Research from 2013-2015.

Let’s explore the world together my friends as we support science’s next generation!

Image shows a professional headshot of Dr. Timothy Hawthorne

Dr. Hawthorne professional headshot, January 2022. Photo credit: Kaitlyn Bower

#science #research #learning #K12 #thatsgeography #explorer #explorermindset #NationalGeographic #NationalGeographicEducation #STEM #STEAM #STEMeducation #steameducation #teachers #students #community

Belize Summer A 2020 Study Abroad Course Now Accepting Applications

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Join us for a research experience of a lifetime in Belize Summer A 2020.

About the Courses: In either SYA 4959 (undergraduate students) or SYA 5941 (graduate students), students work with communities in Belize (an English speaking country) on real-world research projects. Students will learn an in-demand research method in a high-growth technology career field. We will explore the Belize Barrier Reef and several different landscapes across Belize. We will learn how to use GIS mapping, apps, and drones. Students spend 5 days on land and 4 on islands along the world’s second largest reef system. No previous experience with GIS is needed.

Apply through UCF Abroad at: https://studyabroad.ucf.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=10108

Audience: This exciting study abroad course in Belize is open to all graduate and undergraduate students at UCF (and beyond). All majors are welcome. This 3 credit course counts as an elective course in both of the UCF GIS certificate programs. It is a research-based course. No previous GIS and mapping experience is required.

Apps due February 15, 2020. But apply soon, this course will fill before the application date.

Program Fee: $2400-2500 (all expenses including airfare, lodging, tours, transportation, and meals). One of the most economical abroad experiences at UCF. Plus normal tuition and university fees for a 3 credit course.

Watch the hype video here:

Any questions, please contact the program director, Dr. Timothy Hawthorne at timothy.hawthorne@ucf.edu.

 

Belize Summer A 2019 Study Abroad Course Now Accepting Applications

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About the Course: Work with communities in Belize (an English speaking country) on real-world research projects. Learn an in-demand research method in a high-growth technology career field. Explore the Belize Barrier Reef and several different landscapes across Belize. Learn how to use GIS mapping, apps, and drones. Spend 5 days on land and 4 on islands along the world’s second largest reef system. No previous experience with GIS is needed. Learn more at http://www.citizensciencegis.org/belize/.

Audience: This exciting study abroad course in Belize is open to all graduate and undergraduate students at UCF (and beyond). This 4 credit course counts as an elective course in both of the UCF GIS certificate programs. It is a research-based course. No previous GIS and mapping experience is required.

Apply through UCF Abroad at: https://studyabroad.ucf.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=10108

Apps due February 15, 2019.

Program Fee: $2400-2500 (all expenses including airfare, lodging, tours, transportation, and meals). One of the most economical abroad experiences at UCF.

GIS Day at UCF on November 29 for K-12 Classes! Pre-Register Now

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Get excited for GIS Day 2018 at UCF co-organized by Citizen Science GIS and GeoBus to be held on Thursday, November 29 from 10 am to 1 pm! Please pre-register your class or group as soon as possible. We will be opening up a larger public invitation on Tuesday of next week.

Pre-register now at: https://goo.gl/forms/ac8Qjka9ZzcUFCz23

Pre-register your class, organization, family or just yourself for our 2018 Maps, Apps, and Drones On-Campus Event, hosted by UCF’s Citizen Science GIS, GeoBus, Department of Sociology, and iSTEM on the UCF main campus. Come learn about maps, apps and drones with our Citizen Science GIS team and use these cool science and technology tools on site with Dr. Timothy L. Hawthorne from UCF Sociology, and the Citizen Science GIS team! And get a sneak peak of our new 42 foot long city bus, the nation’s first GeoBus, that will begin in early 2019! During the November 29 event, students will engage in an interactive assembly and then participate in hands-on learning activities that may include: using mapping apps, creating crowd-sourced data, flying mini-drones, and more!

Target Audience: 3rd grade and up.

This event will fill quickly. It is free and open to all educators and their students (including home schoolers), but pre-registration is required. We are limited to no more than 350 attendees in the student union for this free STEM education event.

If you have questions about the event, please contact timothy.hawthorne@ucf.edu. If you would like to learn more about our research and educational programs please visit our website at www.citizensciencegis.org. Citizen Science GIS is an international award-winning organization at University of Central Florida committed to changing the ways communities and scientists work together in research and education.

Deadline to pre-register is November 2, 2018. And even more exciting, our GeoBus is getting closer. The seats are out, and we are now designing the interior! It’s coming, and it’s going to be big for geospatial technology education across Florida. Please encourage your teacher and education friends to like our Facebook and Twitter pages to keep up to date on GeoBus! They can do so at www.facebook.com/citizensciencegis or Twitter at www.twitter.com/citizen_gis. And I’ve attached a mock-up of our GeoBus design. Please share with your schools to build the excitement, especially with PTA’s, principals, directors, etc.

Best wishes, and we hope to see you soon!

Cheers,

Tim