Quick Links
Upcoming Events and Workshops
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2/17/25
10-11am Zoom
Mapping Natural Disasters: Using GIS for Risk and Response
In this workshop, participants will use ArcGIS Online dashboards to map natural disasters like wildfires and floods, visualizing the impact on affected areas and populations. They will learn to create interactive maps for disaster risk assessment and response.
Workshop Goals:
Gain experience combining maps with infographics using Dashboards.
Learn to analyze and visualize the impact of natural disasters on affected areas and populations.
Please register to receive the Zoom link!
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2/21/25
11am-noon GIS Lab
Telling Stories with Maps: ArcGIS StoryMaps
This workshop introduces participants to ArcGIS StoryMaps, a tool for combining maps with multimedia content to tell compelling stories. Attendees will learn how to create interactive, engaging, and informative StoryMaps which can be useful to showcase projects, research, and more! No prior experience required.
Workshop Goals:
Understand the fundamentals of ArcGIS StoryMaps and its capabilities.
Learn how to integrate maps, images, text, and multimedia into interactive stories. -
2/27/25
noon-1pm GIS Lab
Making Maps with Python: Introduction to ArcPy
This introductory workshop is designed for participants new to Python and ArcPy. It focuses on the fundamentals of using ArcPy within ArcGIS for basic map creation and simple spatial tasks. Attendees will gain a solid understanding of how Python integrates with GIS and learn basic scripting techniques for automating simple tasks.
Workshop Goals:
Introduce the basics of Python and ArcPy in the context of GIS.
Learn how to write basic Python scripts to create maps and perform simple spatial tasks. -
2/28/25
noon-1pm GIS Lab
Making Maps with Python: Automating GIS Tasks
Building on the foundation of the first workshop (Making Maps with Python: Introduction to ArcPy), this session dives deeper into using Python for automating more advanced GIS tasks. Participants will learn how to write Python scripts to automate repetitive workflows, including spatial analysis, batch processing, and data management, to enhance productivity and streamline complex tasks.
Workshop Goals:
Learn how to write Python scripts to automate advanced GIS workflows and spatial analysis.
Gain experience in automating batch processing and repetitive GIS tasks to improve efficiency. -
3/4/25
2-3pm GIS Lab
Mapping Sea Level Rise: Using GIS for Climate Change
In this workshop, participants will use ArcGIS Pro to manipulate raster data and map sea level rise scenarios, visualizing the potential impacts of climate change on coastal areas. They will learn how to analyze elevation, potential flooding, and environmental vulnerability in order to assess risks and plan for adaptation.
Workshop Goals:
Learn to manipulate raster data in ArcGIS Pro.
Gain skills in assessing the impact of climate change on coastal areas. -
3/6/25
10-11AM Zoom
Telling Stories with Maps: ArcGIS StoryMaps
This workshop introduces participants to ArcGIS StoryMaps, a tool for combining maps with multimedia content to tell compelling stories. Attendees will learn how to create interactive, engaging, and informative StoryMaps which can be useful to showcase projects, research, and more! No prior experience required.
Workshop Goals:
Understand the fundamentals of ArcGIS StoryMaps and its capabilities.
Learn how to integrate maps, images, text, and multimedia into interactive stories.Please register to receive the Zoom link!
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3/17/25
1-2pm GIS Lab
Mapping Elevation Data: Using GIS for Landscape Analysis
In this workshop, participants will use ArcGIS Pro to classify raster elevation data, gaining insights into landscape features such as terrain, slope, and elevation zones. They will learn how to process and analyze raster datasets for detailed landscape analysis.
Workshop Goals:
Learn tools in ArcGIS Pro for landscape analysis.
Gain skills in analyzing terrain features.
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4/8/25
10-11am Zoom
Mapping Food Deserts: Using GIS for Community Health
In this workshop, participants will use ArcGIS Online (AGOL) to conduct proximity analysis, mapping food deserts and assessing access to food in underserved communities. They will learn how to identify areas lacking grocery stores and other food resources, supporting efforts to improve community health.
Workshop Goals:
Learn how to perform a proximity analysis.
Gain experience using ArcGIS Online for analyzing and visualizing data.
Please register to receive Zoom link!
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4/14/25
10-11am GIS Lab
Mapping Urban Tree Canopy: Using GIS for Sustainability
In this workshop, participants will use LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data in ArcGIS Pro to classify and map urban tree canopy (UTC), gaining insights into the distribution of trees. LiDAR data, which uses laser pulses to measure distances and create detailed 3D models of the landscape, will be used to accurately assess tree canopy cover and its contribution to sustainability efforts.
Workshop Goals:
Learn how to classify and analyze LiDAR data.
Gain skills is assessing the role of urban trees in sustainability, including environmental and climate benefits.
Past Events and Workshops
GIS Day Archive
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The Art of Cartography: Historical Maps for Modern Inquiry
November 18th-22nd, 2024
Presented by Vanderbilt University Libraries' GIS Lab in collaboration with Special Collections and University Archives with support from The Curb Center for Art, Enterprise & Public Policy.
Join us during Geography Awareness Week and GIS Day for a series of events that highlight the artistry and significance of historical maps! We explore how historical maps can inform our understanding of cultural heritage and the narratives they convey about local communities. Learn to work with historical maps as primary sources and discover how to integrate them with geospatial tools for today’s research and applications.
Georeferencing Maps Workshop
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to georeference historical maps using ArcGIS Pro. This process involves aligning historical maps with modern spatial data, providing a new perspective on historical landscapes and their contemporary counterparts.
Roaming Map Exhibit
Discover a curated selection of historical maps displayed throughout the campus libraries. These maps offer a window into the past and invite viewers to reflect on the intersection of geography, culture, and art. Track down all 10+ maps using our interactive app and learn more about the stories behind each historical piece. A fun scavenger hunt experience awaits as you explore!
Digitizing Map Features Workshop
This hands-on workshop will guide participants through the process of digitizing features from historical maps using ArcGIS Pro. Participants will learn to capture and vectorize map elements, such as rivers or streets, for use in modern geographic analyses.
Map Exhibit Reception
Step back in time with maps dating from the 17th century! This reception gathers all the maps on display from our roaming exhibit throughout the campus libraries, including depictions of Native lands in Tennessee, maps of Havana, Paris, and the renowned Blaeu maps (donated from The Collection of Stephen and Carina Bruce). Held at Peabody Library, the reception will include drinks, snacks, and an overview of the exhibit delving into the art of cartography.
Maps as Primary Sources
Uncover the value of maps as primary sources. This session will explore what are primary sources, how to read and analyze historical maps, interpret the symbols and narratives they convey, and understand their cultural significance. Perfect for anyone curious about the stories that maps tell and the contexts in which they were created!
