LIS Joins GKiS in Efforts to ‘Inspire future geospatial experts’
L. I. Smith & Associates (LIS) is proud to sponsor the Get Kids into Survey (GKiS) program and partner in their efforts to ‘inspire future geospatial experts’. GKiS is a company built of geospatial scientists and engineers worldwide, who have joined together to teach kids of all ages what it is we do as surveyors. They provide a platform that allows us to teach and promote surveying in a way that kids both understand and enjoy.
Through this sponsorship, LIS was given the opportunity to develop its own character to be used in GKiS’ educational materials. The character, Pat the River Cat, was designed specifically with the Henry County community in mind.
“Because our headquarters is located in the home of the World’s Biggest Fish Fry, we felt that our character had to be a catfish,” commented LIS Marketing Coordinator Ashley Horn. “We are excited to share a Henry County tradition and icon with the geospatial community throughout the world!”
The educational materials provided by GKiS include comic books, posters, homework assignments, coloring pages, and quizzes, all centered on geospatial technology in real world applications. The activities are geared toward all students of elementary school and middle school age. Materials are mailed to each state in the United States and throughout the world.
“Through GKiS’ world-wide reach, kids will see Pat the River Cat all over, which is an amazing opportunity for us,” said Horn. “We are still heavily focused on working with STEM programs in our community of Henry County and the surrounding area. We look forward to providing an inside look at what we do so that local kids can learn more about this unique and interactive field.”
Beyond the global marketing opportunities provided by GKiS through educational materials, professionals may also volunteer as brand ambassadors in order to help spread awareness of the survey industry within local communities. Tyler LaPointe and Austin (AJ) Maxwell, Survey Technicians at LIS, have volunteered to be a part of the ambassador program. Through the ambassador program, the two can apply the surveying skills they use daily at LIS to teach our youth about geospatial technology.
Maxwell commented, “GKiS allows us to take what we do as professionals and educate younger minds. It also gives exposure to our company and our initiatives to reach the younger generations in the STEM fields.”
Ultimately, GKiS, along with its firm sponsors and brand ambassadors, will help bring a better understanding of the field to those inside and outside the surveying industry. It is important for the younger generations to grasp a better understanding of what surveying is and how valuable it can be, as currently there are not enough young people entering the workforce. Through this program, GKiS hopes to see the survey industry flourish with interest and knowledge for generations to come.
There are many ways to get involved with this great organization. For students, teachers, or surveyors interested in becoming a brand ambassador or finding resource materials, visit the GKiS website at Get Kids Into Survey – Inspiring future geospatial experts!.
If you have questions about Pat the River Cat or are interested in having a brand ambassador attend a STEM event and hand out materials, please contact Ashley Horn at ahorn@lismith.com.