Hands-on GPS and Remote Sensing Training for High School Learners During IGARSS 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa

Continuing the commitment of the Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) to education and outreach, the IEEE 2009 International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS) conference in Cape Town, South Africa provided an opportunity for over 400 local high school students to engage in hands-on GPS training and remote sensing workshops. Mafeteng Schools Environment Network (MSEN) and the Students’ Health and Welfare Centres Organization (SHAWCO) worked with the University of Cape Town in identifying the student learners, who had an average age of 17.7 years and came from socio-economically challenged populations in areas surrounding Cape Town. Activities included a remote sensing art workshop, Mathematics of Remote Sensing team contest, and a scavenger hunt requiring students to ask questions of scientists and vendors. NOAA scientists led discussions and demonstrations of educational products to help build an understanding of the science of Earth’s systems and the stewardship of our planet. This paper details the e-o events and gives demographic information on the participants