STEM FOR PRESERVICE TEACHERS: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN A SCIENCE METHODS COURSE

Globally the need for preservice teachers to be proficient in the STEM curriculum is essential for any teacher preparation program. This presentation is relevant to the theme of reimagining teacher education for the 21st century as it provides a rationale and the process of integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology in the teacher preparation curriculum. Preservice teachers experience decision making about real world data which is a key component to finding solutions to societal issues, and that GIS technology can be used as an analytical tool, requiring students and teachers to use problem solving and critical thinking skills. Geospatial Inquiry is very similar to the STEM pedagogy scientific inquiry except for one big difference: space. The foundation of geographic thinking is based on the knowledge of where things are located and how its location influences its characteristics, and how the location has an effect on the relationships with other phenomenon providing preservice teachers an insight into designing projects of their own and the understanding of the capability of GIS technology in integrating data from science and other disciplines to display the results in a spatial form.