By Katie Britt
Sebring, Florida — Highlands County 4-H and the University of Florida Geomatics Extension program recently introduced 160 youth to local environmental issues and geospatial skills.
On April 29, Highlands County 4-H Agent and County Extension Director Kati Lawson and Assistant Director for Geomatics Extension for the UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences (SFFGS) Katie Britt teamed up to educate fifth graders from Woodlawn Elementary School (WES) in Sebring, Florida.
The 4-H program fosters positive youth development through hands-on learning experiences. By sparking children’s interest in various topics, 4-H aims to provide young people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life. The SFFGS Geomatics Extension program complements this mission, working with youth educators to promote surveying, mapping, and geospatial analysis skills and careers.
At Woodlawn Elementary, the 5th graders learned about the world of conservation and mapping. Specifically, they explored the habitat needs of the Florida Panther, an endangered species native to the Sunshine State.
Through a hands-on lesson, the students gained a deeper understanding of the importance of conservation efforts and practices that protect this incredible animal. As part of the lesson, the students learned a
bout reading and understanding maps and applied their knowledge by analyzing an area near Sebring.
Using multiple thematic and raster-based maps, they produced suitability scores and compared their findings with existing Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) conservation corridors.
This real-world application of mapping skills helped the students understand the importance of considering factors that determine habitat suitability for different species. The lesson concluded with a thought-provoking exercise that linked to state standards of learning.
The students were asked to consider why habitats change for different species and what decisions planners and geospatial analysts consider when balancing human and environmental needs. This high order thinking activity encouraged the students to think critically about the complex relationships between humans, animals, and the environment.
By participating in this program, the 5th graders at Woodlawn Elementary School gained valuable knowledge and skills that will stay with them for years to come. As they grow into leaders, they will be equipped with the tools they need to make informed decisions about conservation and the environment.
Katie Britt is the assistant director for Geomatics Extension at the University of Florida’s School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences. Reach her at k.britt@ufl.edu or 813-757-2223. Learn more about the Geomatics Extension program here: https://ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu/geomatics-extension/
Our mission is to provide surveying education and workforce development programs to both the Florida surveying industry and the general public.
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