ESRI GIS Grants for U.S. 4-H Programs

2009 Grant Application Submission Deadline:
Monday, December 1, 2008

ESRI GIS Program for U.S. 4–H Grant Recipients

This deadline coincides with the 4-H enrollment and programming schedule.

1. Download a copy of the application.
2. Follow the guidelines to complete and submit the application.
3. E-mail us if you need help.

Three levels give you the most appropriate options for the needs of your club.

• ESRI Getting Started with GIS and GPS Grant
  
• ESRI Introduction to GIS for 4-H Grant
  
• ESRI Intermediate GIS for 4-H Grant
  

Under the 2004–2008 GIS Grant for U.S. 4-H program, ESRI has awarded 4-H clubs in more than 600 U.S. counties with ArcView and ArcPad software and Virtual Campus training. Geographic information system (GIS) technology was used by youth to help make a difference in their community service projects.

ESRI Getting Started with GIS and GPS Grant

This grant includes Thinking Spatially Using GIS, which has lessons with ArcExplorer—Java Edition for Education software; Making Community Connections; Zeroing In; and Fun with GPS. This grant is intended for use by leaders or extension professionals who are not already familiar with GIS technology and want to begin introducing spatial literacy to youth. Grant awardees are expected to participate in a GIS Day event in their community and submit three maps to the 4-H Map Gallery.

This grant does not include GPS units.

Application [PDF] | Guidelines [PDF]
Submission deadline: December 1, 2008

ESRI Introduction to GIS for 4-H Grant

This grant includes ESRI’s ArcGIS ArcView 9.3, ArcGIS Spatial Analyst, and ArcPad Youth Club licenses (up to 25 seats); ESRI Virtual Campus courses; and ESRI curricula. This grant is intended for 4-H groups who have technology experience, have met GIS professionals in their community, and have a youth-driven service learning project in mind that will utilize GIS technology. Introductory grant awardees are expected to participate in a GIS Day event in their community, complete a service learning project in the community utilizing GIS technology, and complete an ESRI Community Atlas project.

Application [PDF] | Guidelines [PDF]
Submission deadline: December 1, 2008

ESRI Intermediate GIS for 4-H Grant

This grant includes ESRI’s ArcGIS ArcView 9.3, ArcGIS Network Analyst, additional extensions, and ArcPad Youth Club licenses (up to 25 seats); ESRI Virtual Campus courses; and ESRI curricula. For service learning projects involving tree and plant health, this grant also includes an option for obtaining CITYgreen software by American Forests. Intermediate grant applicants must have successfully participated in and fulfilled the requirements of an Introductory GIS grant. Intermediate grant awardees are expected to participate in a GIS Day event in their community, complete a service learning project in the community utilizing GIS technology, and complete an ESRI Community Atlas project.

Application [PDF] | Guidelines [PDF]
Submission deadline: December 1, 2008

Beginning with the 2004 ESRI GIS Grant for U.S. 4-H program, ESRI has awarded 4-H clubs with ArcView and ArcPad Youth Club licenses and Virtual Campus training. GIS technology was used by youth in more than 500 U.S. counties to help make a difference in their community service projects.

Under the 2004–2008 GIS Grant for U.S. 4-H program, ESRI has awarded 4-H clubs in more than 600 U.S. counties with ArcView and ArcPad software and Virtual Campus training. GIS technology is being used by youth to help make a difference in their community service projects. A new 2009 grant level is being introduced for 4-H clubs not already familiar with GPS or GIS technologies and whose leaders are interested in introducing spatial literacy to youth at a basic level.

National 4-H GIS/GPS Technology Leadership Team youth and adults have been easily recognizable at the ESRI Education User Conference and the International User Conference in their vivid blue 4-H polo shirts. In addition to attending the conferences, the youth provided GPS technical assistance to participants in the Saturday evening Allen Instruments-sponsored GeoTreasure Hunt and gave informal presentations about their projects to conference attendees at the Sunday Evening Welcome. Community service is an important element of 4-H learning. Cabrillo National Monument was the 2007 location of the National 4-H GIS/GPS Technology Leadership Team community service project.

Recipients of the previous GIS Grants for U.S. 4-H have agreed to meet the following provisions as part of their grant:

• Institute or expand the use of GIS in their 4-H club activities.
• Undertake at least one club community GIS service learning project aimed at any of the following: a local social or environmental issue, historical change, general community research, or community sustainability.
• Participate in the ESRI Community Atlas Program.
• Participate in GIS Day by hosting an informational event for local youth, community leaders, and the public.
• Make at least one presentation to other 4-H clubs, youth, and leaders in their state during the grant period.

Dates to Remember

4-H Grant Report Dates
4-H GIS Grant recipients agree to provide the National 4-H GIS/GPS Technology Leadership Team and ESRI with performance reports on the progress of the club after the award. The reports should address and provide a status of the club's progress toward meeting the provisions of the grant along with other club geospatial and community activities of note. Photos (high-resolution JPEGs) and maps may be sent as separate reference documents with the report. Please provide the report in Microsoft^® Word format. The digital reports are to be submitted to 4-HGIS_external@esri.com.

GIS Day
4-H groups may choose to either host or participate in a GIS Day event. It doesn't need to be done on the official GIS Day in November; it may be celebrated any day and combined with events such as state and county fairs, enrollment campaigns, career days, summer camps, Earth Day, and leadership events. You will receive a few fun items for your GIS Day event once you've registered your event at www.gisday.com.

Community Atlas Project
A Community Atlas is 10–20 digital maps about your community (created by 4-H youth) and a 1,000- to 2,500-word description (~100 words per map). Once the leader submits the Community Atlas project and it's accepted, they will be asked what reward they would like to receive. Ask for annual maintenance as your reward—you'll receive the software upgrades for ArcView, ArcGIS Spatial Analyst, and the other extensions you already own (exclusive of CITYgreen). You'll find more information on this program at http://edcommunity.esri.com/commatlas. Be sure to read the guidelines before beginning your project as there are specific size and formatting requirements.

Service Learning Project
Undertake at least one club community GIS service learning project aimed at any of the following: a local social or environmental issue, historical change, general community research, or community sustainability. Include your service learning project experience in your required reports.

Optional: youth submissions on www.youthfavoriteplaces.org