IAP 2008 GIS workshops

MIT GIS Services will be offering a series of workshops to introduce the MIT community to Geographic Information Systems and the world of Digital Mapping. There will be sessions on both web mapping and desktop mapping tools. MIT GIS Services are cooperatively supported by the MIT Libraries, OEIT, and IS&T.

• Location: All sessions will be held in the MIT GIS Lab, Rotch Library (7-238), unless noted otherwise. The MIT GIS lab has 6 workstations available for the hands on exercises.
• Please register for sessions you are interested in by emailing gisworkshops@mit.edu with the listing of workshops you would like to attend.
• Hands-on workshops (all workshops in the GIS lab or 14N-132) are only open to MIT people with current Athena (kerberos) accounts.

Introduction to GIS
Tuesday, January 22, 2-4 pm, MIT GIS lab (6 computers)
Thursday, January 24, 2-4 pm, DIRC (14N-132) (20 computers)

Learn the basics of visualizing and analyzing geographic information and creating your own maps using ArcGIS, a powerful desktop Geographic Information System (GIS) available at MIT. Learn to work with data from the MIT Geodata Repository, analyze the data and create maps that can be used in reports and presentations. Note: the two dates listed above will be repeat offerings of the same session.

presentation | exercise | video recording of the 1/24 Introduction to GIS session

Open Source and Free Mapping Tools
Wednesday, January 23, 2-3pm, room 4-231 (seating available for 50 people)

There has been an explosion of open source and free mapping tools. In this talk we will offer a brief look into the neogeographer's world of online mapping.

Introductory presentation | technical demonstration

Site Selection - Making Spatial Decisions Using a GIS
Friday, January 25, 2-4 pm, MIT GIS Lab

Learn to select a new project location based on a variety of data types and perform analysis using tools provided in ArcGIS. PreReq: Participants should take the Introduction to GIS or have previous experience using ArcGIS.

presentation | exercise

Using Elevation Data and Hydrographic Tools in a GIS
Monday, January 28, 2-4 pm, MIT GIS Lab

Learn to read a topographic map and how to use a digital elevation model to create contour lines and do hydrographic analysis. PreReq: Participants should take the Introduction to GIS or have previous experience using ArcGIS.

presentation
exercise: Using the Stock Hydrology Tools in ArcGIS with the ArcHydro Tools Extension and the Raster Calculator
exercise: Instructions for getting free elevation data using seamless.usgs.gov and projecting this raster data
exercise: working with ArcScene - visualizing Digital Elevation Models as 3-D surfaces

Mapping and Using US Census Data
Tuesday, January 29, 2-4 pm, MIT GIS Lab

The US Census holds an enormous amount of demographic information dating back to 1790. New and interesting relationships can be observed when looking at census data on a map. Come learn about what's in the US Census and the tools available for mapping it.

Model Builder
Wednesday, January 30, 2-4 pm, MIT GIS Lab

Learn to use model builder for automating complex processes in GIS. This tool is useful for increasing efficiency and documenting your work. We will create models to automate processes learned in the 'Elevation and Hydrographic Tools' and 'Site Selection' workshops. PreReq: Participants should take the Introduction to GIS or have previous experience using ArcGIS.

exercise 1: raster | exercise 2: vector