SpatialNews Press Release

ESRI’s ArcView GIS is Selected For Montana Education Initiative

ESRI, the world leader in geographic information system (GIS) software technology, was chosen by the University of Montana’s Earth Observing System (EOS) Education Project to supply the first-ever comprehensive statewide K-12 license for ArcView GIS.

This license will provide GIS software and a digital atlas of our earth to every public K-12 school in the State of Montana. The EOS Education Project will work closely with the Montana Office of Public Instruction to facilitate the distribution of the technology.

John Kuglin, executive director of the EOS Education Project, announced the statewide software license at a press conference on the University of Montana campus November 15, during GIS Day celebrations. “As an educator for 25 years, I am pleased to announce that the EOS Education Project will provide ESRI GIS software to every public school in Montana. This unique set of tools will allow teachers and students to capitalize on new and emerging Internet and computer technologies to solve real world problems,” Kuglin said.

Space Imaging, of Thornton, Colorado, a leading supplier of visual information products derived from space imagery, will provide some of the data sets for the initiative. “We continually work to increase awareness of the benefits of high-resolution, satellite-based earth imagery,” said Brian Soliday, vice president of North American sales and marketing for Space Imaging. “This project allows us to take that awareness to a new level by bringing our technology to the hands of tomorrow’s leaders.”

Funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the EOS Education Project disseminates earth imagery, interdisciplinary curriculum, and advanced technologies to the global K-16 education community. The EOS Education Project combines Web-based technologies and educator workshops for the interpretation, utilization, and relevancy of geospatial information. This project investigates how geoinformation enhances our exploration and understanding of the diverse and changing landscapes of the world.

Because of the EOS Education Project, teachers and students can view and will soon be able to access GIS data via an Internet browser, interact with imagery and other landscape features, and print out maps directly in the classroom, library, or home. “This purchase is a cornerstone of their mission to successfully bring the latest technology into the classroom in Montana,” said Bryant Ralston, partner account manager, ESRI.

George Dailey, ESRI K-12 education specialist, is helping to fashion a coordinated plan of delivery and assistance with the EOS Education Project. “This is a great opportunity for the whole of K-12 education in Montana,” Dailey said. “GIS tools and data destined for use in earth and space science classes will also be useful in geography, biology, community studies, math, and other subject areas.”

“The statewide ArcView GIS license is a first, but doubtless not the last. This endeavor is not just about unlimited use of GIS software in K-12 classrooms. It’s more than just access to tools. It requires access to support and training tailored to K-12 education,” Dailey explained. “Through the EOS Center, schools will have access to GIS technical support and an active K-12 training effort including face-to-face instruction and a growing GIS distance learning program via the Web. ESRI’s extensive education Web presence will provide Montana educators with a number of training and support avenues such as Virtual Campus courses, classroom modules at ESRI’s ArcLessons Web site (www.esri.com/arclessons), our K-12 online forum, and the many components of our K-12 education site (www.esri.com/k-12).”

ESRI has maintained an active role in the EOS project including its work on the upcoming Lewis and Clark bicentennial (www.lewisandclarkeducationcenter.com), and will augment the statewide software license with, a one year complimentary 100 seat online training subscription. to Montana teachers. “Montana is blazing a trail in educational technology that other state technology coordinators will want to follow. We are pleased to help in their efforts,” said Jack Dangermond, ESRI president.

For more than 30 years, ESRI has been the leading developer of geographic information system (GIS) software with more than 300,000 clients worldwide. ESRI also provides consulting, implementation, and technical support services. In addition to its headquarters in California, ESRI has regional offices throughout the United States, international distributors in more than 90 countries, and more than 1,050 business partners. ESRI’s goal is to provide users with comprehensive tools to help them quickly and efficiently manage and use geographic information to make a real difference in the world around them. ESRI can be found on the Web at www.esri.com.

ESRI, the ESRI globe logo, and ArcView are trademarks of Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., registered in the United States and certain other countries; registration is pending in the European Community. GIS by ESRI and GIS Day are trademarks and www.esri.com and @esri.com are service marks of Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. Other companies and products mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

Nancy Sappington November 27, 2000
ESRI
Tel.: 909-793-2853, extension 1-2198
E-mail: press@esri.com

Lauren Mackay, Communications Director
EOS Education Project
Tel.: 406-243-6703
E-mail: lmackay@eoscenter.com