By IAIN MCMURRAY
Moapa Valley Progress
Three members of the local Where Wolves 4-H club, along with three of their leaders, were recently selected to represent the state of Nevada as part of the National 4-H GIS Team at the annual Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) conference held in San Diego.
The National team was made up of 12 youth and 11 leaders from across the United States. Local 4H team members Abby Dreyfus, Kody Burris and Iain McMurray were selected through an interview and application process. The teens worked hard for months to prepare displays for the conference, with the help of their club advisors Doyle and Peggy Raines. National team members were the only youth allowed to attend the prestigious conference alongside over 17,000 adult attendees that came from all over the world.
ESRI is a software company that pioneered the use and science of Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) to help solve problems all over the world using the “science of where.”
Nevada was the most highly represented state on the team and they traveled together to the conference with the help of 4-H chaperone, Dianna Walker. Each member received a waiver from ESRI itself to cover admission into the conference. Other expenses were paid for through fundraising and by the individual members.
Prior to attending, Where Wolves team members spent months preparing an electronic Story Map using state-of-the-art computer equipment and GIS software provided by University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.
The subject of the Story Map covered activities available in the Moapa Valley during summer break. Provided were names and photos of all the local spots as well as their GPS location. A physical printed map was provided. But an online version provided even more information as visitors could click on each site.
They team even combined their map with maps made by the other national teams to make a giant story map.
All the maps were displayed in the conference’s map gallery alongside those entered by adult professionals. During a gallery reception, the members of the team interacted with conference attendees who admired their maps and talked with them.
In addition to the map activity, the kids were able to attend many classes on the use of various ESRI software programs.
The conference was not only classes and learning. The team was able to do a lot of fun activities both in and out of the conference as well. The kids were able to explore Old Town San Diego collecting location data in the mapping software.
After the User Conference was over, they were also able to attend a service project at Cabrillo National Monument. There, the kids used their mapmaking skills to gather data about all of the signs in Cabrillo.
Other conference highlights included the chance to meet Jane Goodall and to hear her speak. Participants also heard from E.O. Wilson, an American biologist and the world’s leading expert on ants; Tracey Wolstencroft, President and CEO of National Geographic; and jazz guitarist Kevin Eubanks. They also met and talked with ESRI founder Jack Dangermond, who reviewed their team’s map. He said that he was very excited to see youth exploring GIS technology.
“I really liked meeting Jack, he was super nice,” said team member Abby Dreyfus.
Where Wolves leader Doyle Raines was impressed with how well his Moapa Valley team did on their map. He also appreciated how well the kids blended into the national team, including their impressive behavior at the conference.
“Throughout the conference, our youth exuded professionalism in their punctuality, appearance and demeanor,” Raines said. “Think of it, a small group of 4-H kids from rural Nevada made a professional-quality map that competed against all of the finest maps from around the world.”
Raines was pleased with the experience and the impact it had on the youth.
“Our team bonded as a club and as a National team,” he said. “They started out awkward and finished professional. Everyone should be so very proud of them.”
“A lot of people ask why we are called the Where Wolves,” Raines concluded. “It’s because we believe in the science of where, not only for where we are, but where these kids are going.”
