Learn about Esri GeoInquiries
GeoInquiries
GeoInquiries Links to an external site. are ready-made, 15-minute hands-on activities that are linked to standards-based concepts. These one-stop shop lessons include standards and learning outcomes, and they give teachers the opportunity to push student thinking to a higher level. Teachers can use the projector to present the materials to the whole class at once, or students can access the maps and layers on their own device. These GeoInquiries can be used in all curriculum areas, but are categorized as follows:
- Advanced Environmental Science
-
Human Geography
- American Literature
- Earth Science
- U.S. Government & Civics
- Math
- Elementary
- U.S. History
- World History
- World Geography
- Level 2 GeoInquiries (students use ArcGIS Online Analysis tools or other advanced mapping techniques)
- Mapping Our World for ArcGIS Online (Middle school world geography)
- Thinking Spatially using GIS (Elementary geography)
Anatomy of a GeoInquiries Activity
Each GeoInquiry has a 2-page pre-made lesson plan for teachers to follow. The lesson plans provide a link to a map built with layers for students to turn on, off, and manipulate in a variety of ways outlined in the lesson plans. Each layer provides information for students to analyze, discuss, and draw conclusions. There are two types of GeoInquiries. Level 1 GeoInquiries are ready-made maps for student use. Level 2 GeoInquiries allow students to edit and modify maps and will require a free student account.
The video below explains the 4 parts of the 15-minute lesson plan following the 5E Instructional Model:
- Engage
- Explore
- Explain
- Elaborate
- Evaluate
Example Lesson
Open the PDF lesson plan "The Earth Moves Under Our Feet
Download The Earth Moves Under Our Feet" and the corresponding map
Links to an external site.. Preview the lesson plan (and walk through the steps if you'd like), or simply reference these materials as you follow along with the class in the video below.