SpatialSTEM: A Mathematical Structure for Teaching Fundamental Concepts in
Spatial Reasoning, Map Analysis and Modeling
Adjunct Faculty in Geosciences,
University of Denver
Adjunct Faculty in
Natural Resources, Colorado State University
Principal, Berry
& Associates // Spatial Information Systems, Fort Collins, Colorado
Email: jkberry@du.edu
— Website: www.innovativegis.com/basis/
Background:
The online materials listed below support a SpatialSTEM approach for understanding and teaching map
analysis and modeling fundamentals within a mathematical/statistical context
that resonates with science, technology, engineering and math/stat communities. The premise is that “maps are numbers first and
foremost, pictures later” and we do mathematical things to mapped data for insight
and better understanding of spatial patterns and relationships within
decision-making contexts …from Where is What graphical
inventories to a Why, So What and What If problem solving
environment— thinking with maps.
The goal is to get the STEM communities to
infuse direct consideration of map analysis and modeling techniques into their
teaching, research and professional applications, as an alternative to
traditional spatially-aggregated math/stat procedures that assume uniform or
random distribution in geographic space.
Keywords: GIS modeling,
grid-based map analysis, spatial analysis, spatial statistics, map algebra,
map-ematics
Readings and Materials:
-
Seminar
Description — handout describing 50 minute General Seminar introducing the idea of
SpatialSTEM for teaching spatial reasoning, map analysis and modeling
fundamentals within a mathematical/statistical framework that resonates with
science, technology, engineering and math/stat communities
-
Seminar PowerPoint —
PowerPoint slide deck supporting the seminar with presentation notes
accompanying each slide and a final slide with online links to further readings
organized by slide# topics
-
Making a Case for
SpatialSTEM — short white paper providing an overview of a SpatialSTEM framework for
grid-based map analysis and modeling concepts and procedures as direct spatial
extensions of traditional mathematics and statistics
_____________________
-
Workshop
Description —
handout describing a six contact hour Workshop (3 sessions of 2 hours each) developing the
underlying theory, practice and application of spatial data analysis and
reasoning skills for college-level instructors in science, technology,
engineering and math programs
-
Workshop Workbook (in preparation) — participants receive a
workshop workbook, extensive set of links to online readings, PowerPoint slide
sets, MapCalc Learner software, databases and example application models that
they can “tweak” for use in their classes. All materials are royalty free and
can be edited and freely disseminated
-
Workshop
PowerPoints
(in preparation) — PowerPoint slide deck
supporting workshop sessions 1 and 2 with presentation notes accompanying each
slide and a final slide with online links to further readings organized by
slide# topics
-
SpatialSTEM:
Extending Traditional Mathematics and Statistics to Grid-based Map Analysis and
Modeling
— white paper describing an innovative approach for teaching map analysis and modeling
fundamentals within a mathematical/statistical context
-
A
Math/Stat Framework for Map Analysis, Topic 30 in
the online
book Beyond Mapping III — book chapter describing the SpatialSTEM
framework for understanding and teaching map analysis and modeling fundamentals
as direct extensions of traditional mathematical/statistical concepts and
procedures
- Further Readings — a comprehensive appendix to the SpatialSTEM “extension” paper with URL links to over 125 additional readings on the grid-based map analysis/modeling concepts, terminology, considerations and procedures described in the papers on SpatialSTEM
-
Beyond Mapping III — an online book by J.K. Berry containing Introduction, 28 Chapters and
Epilog as a compilation of the popular Beyond
Mapping columns published in GeoWorld
magazine from 1996 through present (click for a Chronological
Listing with links of BM columns from 1989 through present)
_____________________
-
Royalty Free Teaching Materials
— links to instructional materials to include lecture PowerPoints,
readings, exercises and MapCalc software for grid-based map analysis and
modeling supporting a variety of teaching environments
-
Math/Stat
Classification of Spatial Analysis and Spatial Statistics Operations (MapCalc
by Basis) — white paper listing MapCalc operations by traditional
mathematics and statistics categories
-
Math/Stat
Classification of Spatial Analysis and Spatial Statistics Tools (Spatial
Analyst by Esri) — white paper listing Spatial Analyst module operations by
traditional mathematics and statistics categories
_______________________________________