The GIS Lab in the School of Earth, Environment & Society will celebrate GIS Day on Wednesday, November 19th 2025. Researchers across several departments at McMaster University have shown innovative application of technology, data collection, geospatial information visualization, and thought leadership through geographic information systems.
Over 20 years ago, consumer advocate Ralph Nader presented an idea to Esri founder and president Jack Dangermond: dedicate one day to show how geographic intelligence touches everyone. That led to the establishment of GIS Day, which was first observed in 1999. The explosion of geospatial technology since then has expanded that idea into a global event that demonstrates how far GIS extends into people’s lives, and a forum for users to showcase their unique GIS accomplishments.
This November, the GIS Lab at McMaster University will join hundreds of organizations from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia in hosting virtual gatherings that will serve to ignite the imagination of the future geospatial innovators who will move the planet forward using GIS.
“This is an amazing event where all our users around the world get together to appreciate each other’s work, whether it’s jumping to action as first responders in flood zones and wildfires, or finding the best place to open a new business,” said Dangermond. “We should be proud of the achievements our users make in the field of GIS, and this is a way to celebrate that. So thank you for all your work.”
For more information please email Patrick DeLuca
Story Map Activity – What is GIS?
McMaster’s GIS Day this year consists of a mix of live lightning talks and demonstrations by members of the University community using GIS, talks focusing on themes relevant to both the social sciences and natural sciences. You are invited to attend in person for the lightning talks on GIS Day. If anyone has any questions or would like to get in touch with any of the presenters, please send an email to Patrick DeLuca (delucapf@mcmaster.ca)
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
2025 Lightning Talks Schedule Location: GIS Lab, Burke Sciences Building, Room 332
* To reserve your seat for either workshop, contact Patrick DeLuca at delucapf@mcmaster.ca
Hosted by the School of Earth, Environment & Society; GIS Laboratory, this event fulfills part of the Ontario geography curriculum for grade 8, 9, 11, and 12 students. The annual GIS Day assists in raising the visibility of the field of geomatics among high school students and their teachers. High school students participate in various hands-on computer activities with ArcGIS, GPS and Map Skills.
Four hands-on workshops will be offered throughout the day. Registration is free and works on a first come, first served basis – please email delucapf@mcmaster.ca to register. Workshop titles are tentative as we are still determining contents.
The sessions will run concurrently at:
Please provide the following information when registering:
A customized agenda will be sent to you once you have indicated the workshops you would like to attend.
One-hour Session
This workshop is for students who do not have GIS knowledge. Following a short Introduction to ArcGIS Online, students will use the ArcGIS Online Map Viewer to create and symbolize point, line and polygon features for a map in an area of their choice. They will also learn how to add a title, description, image and a URL to a map. After completing this workshop, students will be able to:
If a map could tell a story, what would it say? This workshop is for students who have basic to advanced knowledge of ArcGIS Online. We will explore the new StoryMap builder as a group and each student will learn tips and tricks to create their own story map.
Students who have taken Workshop A can also take Workshop B.
This workshop is geared towards the grade 11 curriculum in Geotechnologies with a focus on operating a GPS unit. A maximum of 30 students for each session is recommended.
There will be a short presentation on GPS and Remote Sensing, and then students will walk around McMaster University to various points. Each student using a GPS unit must leave a piece of identification which they will have returned to them once the GPS has been returned. Since this is an outdoor activity, students in this workshop are advised to dress weather appropriate.