76
February 2017
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
O
utlook
Ms. Aragón developed this learning activity as an exploration
of ways to encourage and promote the new generation
of geospatial thinkers to become more involved through
progressive learning activities. She believes that new
approaches, like the Pixel Matrix, can innovate and build a
connection with youth, providing a lasting impression that
can trigger an interest in geospatial pathways in STEM. She
designed this project to teach students at the K-12 level a fun
and a collective way to build their own map and understand
the fundamentals behind the technology involved. The
project allowed exploration of concepts in highly technical
fields while including critical thinking and group interaction
skills that can carry on into advanced academics and career
choices for the young women involved.
As we look back over the history of ASPRS, our membership
has embraced many women leaders, directors, and presidents,
including our incoming president, Becky Morton, and vice-
president, Anne Hillyer. Our past female past presidents
include Tamsin G. Barnes (1985), Marilyn M. O’Cuilinn
(1990), Tina K. Cary (1996), Karen Schuckman (2005), Kari
J. Craun (2006), Marguerite Madden (2007), Kass Green
(2008), Carolyn J. Merry (2010), Bobbi Lenczowski (2012).
Six out of eleven of the current ASPRS Board of Directors are
women!
Listening to the Tech Trek young women from Oakland,
California talking about their experience and their newfound
love of science and math, Becky Morton was encouraged by
Figure 3. Students were also provided with atlases and a map projected onto a larger screen to use as a reference in building their map.
the ability of the program to provide life-changing positive
experiences for young woman through organizational
programs and scholarships. She is equally encouraged
by the current environment for young women in the fields
of geospatial science and within the ASPRS organization.
ASPRS has a long history of supporting young people coming
into the geospatial sciences through grants and scholarships
and scientific publication. The fact that women are embracing
these opportunities is evident in the trend in ASPRS
membership toward increased diversity. There is still a long
way to go to achieve the diversity we hope for within ASPRS
membership, but outreach efforts such as Ms. Aragón’s
AAUW Tech Trek geospatial science program is exactly what
is needed to get us to our goal. It is amazing to see young
people’s eyes light up with excitement when they “get it” and
when they catch the “I love maps” bug. Some of these Tech
Trek young women will become geospatial scientists and
will look back at the learning experience and organizations
such as ASPRS and AAUW that turned them on to their life’s
passion for science.
Although the majority of geospatial workplaces are still
predominately male, professional organizations such as
AAUW and ASPRS are actively advancing toward diversity
and living the AAUW vision of “…bring[ing] people together
for the common goal of breaking through educational and
economic barriers for women and girls.” For more information
about Tech Trek see
trek/).
