Episode 015 -- Mike Wagner -- GIS in the Classroom, Weather, & Better Schools

ClassCast Podcast Episode 015 features a discussion between Mike Wagner, lead GIS teacher in Loudoun County, VA (as well as science teacher, curriculum developer, and expert weather forecaster), and host Ryan Tibbens. ​

They discuss using geographic information systems (GIS), particularly ArcGIS, in the classroom; Mike's background and current projects as a professional weather forecaster (specializing in snow day predictions); and why a more experience-based, hands-on, and interdisciplinary style school is needed. GIS can work in every class and subject area and is considered a top five career "area of need," so implementing this technology can create valuable job skills in addition to deeper project-based learning.  Two highlight clips, one featuring an introduction to the GIS class in LCPS and one featuring Mike's Everyday Weather Services forecasts on Facebook, are available in a separate ClassCast update. 

For more information about LCPS GIS, check Twitter (@LCPS_GIS) and the LCPS GIS website (https://www.lcps.org/Page/212324).
For more information about using ArcGIS Online and the manual that Mike Wagner wrote, check http://learn.arcgis.com/en/educators . 
For more information about Mike's forecasts, check Everyday Weather Services on Facebook. 
​