Stark State College to host free GIS Day

(North Canton, OH – Oct. 15, 2012) – Stark State College will host the seventh annual free Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day to showcase this mapping tool from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 2. in the W.R. Timken Center, 6200 Frank Ave. NW in Jackson Township.

The computer-based system takes information from a database about a location, such as streets, buildings, parcels, water features, terrain and more and turns it into visual layers – contemporary maps.

A GIS degree like the one offered at Stark State can help prepare students for careers in areas such as crime mapping, safety response, next-generation 911, oil and gas property research and more. Current professionals can find out how GIS can streamline office procedures, locate clients, provide quick access to asset data and integrate information with public information.

Current GIS professionals can attend the 11 a.m. ESRI user meeting, which will focus on expanding the use of GIS with ArcGIS 10.1.

Exhibits from agencies showcasing GIS projects will feature county offices and other local and regional organizations. Stark County’s IMAT (Incidence ManagementAssessment Team) response truck will display how GIS is used during safety response.

Stark State College, the Stark County Educational Service Center, the Stark County Auditor’s Office and the Stark County Regional Planning Commission are sponsoring the event.

For more information, contact Shanda-lyn Yaeger, Stark State GIS/CSIS instructor, at 330-494-6170, Ext. 5471 or syaeger@starkstate.edu.