Coast Weeks GIS Day
The ASDOC Coastweeks GIS Day was held on September 18th, 2013. The educational workshop was attended by 15 students from Tutuila and the Manu’a island high schools. The workshop was led by Robert Koch, Junior Sauni and Kang Sevao of the ASDOC – American Samoa Coastal Management Program (ASCMP).
The workshop introduced students to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial technologies. The agenda included interactive presentations and activities to introduce the students to concepts and applications of GIS.
The highlight of the event was the participatory mapping exercise. Each student had the opportunity to use an “E-Beam” digital pen to map recreational coastal activities throughout the islands. Mapped activities included swimming, snorkeling, fishing, surfing and paddling –altogether over 70 locations were mapped by the students. Additionally, each student was given a Coastweeks 2013 GIS – Coastal Uses Map to take home with them.
The students were asked to complete a survey to share what they learned and to rate the events activities. The event was an overwhelming success as indicated by student feedback. On a scale of 1 to 10, the average student rating was a 9.6! The survey also indicated that the students were very interested in GIS and enthusiastic about applying it in their future studies.
High Schools:
Leone High School: Toetu Tuitasi, Emelda Lenasio and Agnes Iefata
Faga’itua High School: Andrew Ula and Fa’atima Pauulu – Fa’afetai Tuato’o (Science)
South Pacific Academy: Lance Eustaquio and Suluga Taliau
Kanana Fou High School: Ace Levale and Lagituaiva Lauofo
Manu’a High School: Alisi Tagaloa
Pacific Horizon: Atamai Tuiolosega
