What are GeoInquiries?

GeoInquiries are an activity designed for students to interact with digital maps in a way that they ask, explore and answer a question, all based on the data presented. Esri first created these activities based on the concept of geographic inquiry:

• Where is it?

• Why is it there?

• Why should I care?

Esri developed a significant number of GeoInquiries designed to meet national standards in several subjects, including World History, Human Geography, Math, Environmental Science and more. Most of the activities are targeted at middle and high school students, but there are some specifically for upper elementary. They can easily be adapted to fit any level, grades 6-12. The activities say they are 15 minutes, but I do not think that’s the case!

Minnesota GeoInquiries

The Minnesota GeoInquries are modeled off of the Esri GeoInquiries. In fact, the first iteration of GeoInquiries was funded by a small grant from Esri. We designed and built the activities in partnership with staff at U-Spatial at the University of Minnesota and several teachers who served as testers and idea generators. We focused on Minnesota content and data, looking at Social Studies and Science standards.

Currently, topics includes:

• Introduction to GIS

• Minnesota Dinner

• Lake Superior Shipwrecks

• Minnesota Green Book

• Tornados

• Central Place Theory

We are always looking for new ideas (and funding) to build out the library of GeoInquiries.