Have you ever stared at a piece of new technology and found yourself thinking, “How on earth does this work?” Or maybe you’ve pondered the inner workings of the everyday gadgets we rely on—like your phone, laptop, or even an electric scooter. I know I’ve had those moments of curiosity! But little did I know that my journey as a Design Research Assistant Intern at MN GreenStep Schools would lead me into the world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). 

In today's fast-paced world, technology plays an invaluable role in streamlining our daily lives. Just think about tools like Google Maps, weather forecasting, and fitness trackers—these innovations leverage Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to keep us in tune with our environment. Through GIS, we can collect, store, analyze, and visualize location-based data, unlocking a treasure trove of insights. As we dive deeper into these systems, we gain the ability to recognize patterns, uncover relationships, and spot trends that inform our decisions across various fields—whether it’s city planning, transportation, environmental management, or public health.

But all this sounds incredibly complex and impossible to understand for the average user, doesn’t it? Those were exactly my thoughts when I started my internship training for MN GreenStep Schools. My first task was to go through five modules that taught me the importance of GIS and to create impactful stories of change using ArcGIS, Esri's geospatial platform. Thoughts like “Oh no, this will take me forever to comprehend,” and “This is definitely only for professionals,” ran through my head. At last, I took the courage to start the training, and to my surprise, it wasn't scary at all. In fact, I wish I'd learned how to use ArcGIS much sooner, as it would’ve helped me exponentially with my architecture projects that demand contextual information about the surrounding built environment and natural habitats.

I understand that this experience could have easily gone sideways, given that it is a new tool that requires different skills; however, I can confidently say that thanks to MN GreenStep School’s cohesive GIS training modules, I can use this knowledge to give even more meaning and explain underlying issues in a specific area, and showcase opportunities to implement sustainable initiatives. Now, you’re probably wondering, what made my experience so gratifying?

Now, don’t panic: you don’t need to pursue a career in architecture—or any specific field—to learn GIS. Whether you’re a student, teacher, or curious individual, you have the opportunity to craft a story of change for your local community. This journey will help you understand your surroundings, the challenges they face, and the solutions you can advocate for alongside your peers. 

Spoiler alert! This is exactly what I did in my GIS training for modules three through five. I wasn’t a GIS professional, so I chose a topic that resonated with me personally—something I could truly relate to and envision making an impact on in the near future. 

I started looking back at the events that shaped my life and landed on my experience as a student at Apple Valley High School. This is a time in my life when I feel close to the community and friendships I have built, and I know they are not to be forgotten. As I began to Story Map my high school experience, I did not recall experiencing any sustainable initiatives during my time at Apple Valley High School. Using GIS and Web Maps, I identified a possible sustainable course of action for AVHS and the local community.

The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including the Alimagnet Dog Park. Based on what I knew about the area, I concluded that Alimagnet Lake is directly affected by the ongoing human activities surrounding it. I couldn’t help but notice that Alimagnet Lake, which looks pretty inviting, is marked as impaired on the map—essentially, it’s dealing with some pollution issues. According to the MPCA's data, the lake was added to the pollution list in 2002, and we’ve seen problems with nutrient pollution ever since, caused mainly by human activities such as lawn and garden fertilizers, yard debris, storm sewer discharge, and animal waste. 

My story was composed of three important questions presented in the modules:

What is the purpose of my story? To form a connection of action and awareness between Apple Valley High School, the surrounding community, and wildlife habitats. 

Why am I creating this story? MN GreenStep School’s GIS training demonstrates AVHS’s potential to extend its efforts towards sustainability innovations, enhancing and unifying the community it has built over decades. 

Who do I want to reach?  Apple Valley residents, AVHS staff and students, friends, and the general public.

These important questions—what, why, and who—have been part of my architecture school projects, and GIS tools such as WebMaps and Survey123 have expanded my interests in place-based project research and site context, incorporating the community’s voice and environmental health into my ideas. 

Throughout this journey, I've discovered that this tool is not only user-friendly but also a sustainable, truly impactful initiative. I'm embracing it in my day-to-day experiences and extending its reach to other communities. Although it seems insignificant, GIS is also a step towards a sustainable future!

The story ends here, but the journey doesn't! I invite you to check out views from my StoryMap, part of my MNGSS GIS Training.