Curriculum

GTC3 collaborates with partners to develop, test, and disseminate discipline-specific Modern GIS curricula that are aligned with the GTCM to equip students with the Modern GIS skills needed within various occupations.

This curriculum page is continually updated. Check back often.

ArcGIS Online Projects: Beginner

In this hands-on project, students use the tools of a geospatial analyst to address a high-stakes, real-world challenge: restoring a critical native wetland. Wetlands aren’t just beautiful ecosystems — they’re essential for filtering water, protecting communities from floods, and supporting wildlife. Yet, these vital areas are disappearing at an alarming rate due to urban sprawl and climate change, making their restoration more urgent than ever. In this project, students step into the role of a professional Geospatial Analyst, leading a conservation effort. The mission: to analyze, map, and identify the ideal location for wetland restoration, applying skills to a real-world project that can help restore vital ecosystems and safeguard the planet’s most valuable natural resources. This project uses fundamental tools of ArcGIS Online (including the *filter* tool). No user credentials are needed to complete this project.

The Colorado River Basin supports over 40 million people, irrigates millions of acres of agricultural land, generates hydroelectric power, supports tribal communities, sustains ecosystems, and provides recreational opportunities throughout the American Southwest. However, increasing demand, prolonged drought, population growth, and climate variability have placed unprecedented stress on the river system. As environmental and natural resource professionals, your task is to use GIS to explore the complex relationships between water supply, water demand, agriculture, tribal water rights, recreation, and population growth throughout the Colorado River Basin. This project uses fundamental tools of ArcGIS Online. No user credentials are needed to complete this project.