GEOSS Issue
1
UWSP Geo News
Limited Series | Nov 2017
Free
To save Earth... find the superheroes!
GEOSPATIAL SUPERHEROES
Skeletor’s Plot to Rule... The evil despot Skeletor is on a mission to rule Planet Earth after his many failed attempts at conquering Eternia. His first pursuit is to rid Earth of its superheroes - a quest he has recently achieved. Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Spiderman, and Captain America have been captured and are detained in concealed and defended locations.
Save the Superheroes!
Our emergency management reconnaissance crew has compiled mission critical information about the supposed whereabouts of each Superhero. Digital files have been developed using Geographic Information Systems that relay vital data that you will use to liberate each superhero from Skeletor’s clutches.
Mission
1) Use a web browser and ArcGIS Online to study critical geospatial intelligence about the whereabouts of each superhero. 2) Use smart phone or tablet technologies equipped with GIS and GPS receivers to navigate the UWStevens Point campus and liberate the imperiled superheroes.
Teams Alpha: Spiderman Bravo: Superman Charlie: Aquaman Delta: Batman Echo: Captain America 3) Each team, after rescuing their assigned superhero, will descend upon Skeletor with extreme caution, but great determination.
Catch ya on the flip!
Alpha: Spiderman Skeletor, always ready to play a game, has left this cryptic hint about the location of Spiderman:
”Observe the power of Skeletor. Spiderman has been elevated to the z-dimension. He’s now a 3D feature, among the heavens, the stars, and the planets.” Use ArcGIS Online and a device equipped with GPS to find Spidey.
Bravo: Superman In a transmission received by our recon team, Skeletor was caught bragging about his capture of the astute and steadfast Superman:
“I’ve backed Stuperman into a corner in which there is no escape. This lackey is adjacent to walls lined with bluegreen kryptonite. It is only a matter of time before he crumbles in defeat.”
Use your online map and a device equipped with GPS to find Superman. Here are the coordinates in decimal degrees. Latitude: 44.528099
Longitude: -89.570667
Charlie: aquaman Skeletor is certainly proud of himself this time.
Our latest intelligence gathering mission has discovered the following message from Skeletor:
“Aquaman is contained in a chamber within an open air enclosure. Moreover, I’m torturing Mr. Fishee by placing him in close proximity to water that he sees, but will never touch.”
Hurry! Get your map and GPS ready to find Aquaman before he becomes organic plant food!
delta: batman The Caped Crusader’s plight is bleak. Skeletor’s minion, “BowWOW,” is guarding the Dark Knight on a hilly island terrain surrounded by a sea of concrete and asphalt.
Rescue Batman from the paws of Skeletor’s giant metal pet!
Echo: Captain America Skeletor laughs at the thought of you finding Captain America.
“Do you really think the compass will be your guide to finding Captain Nincompoop? Well your bearings are off! You’re 35 degrees and 60 feet off track!” In addition to your map and GPS, you’ll need a compass and some land navigation skills to rescue the Captain!
Skeletor Our recon team has received this defiant message from Skeletor:
“So, you think you can find me? Never! But, even if you do, you and the Superfools still have to ascend to my mountainous vantage point to capture me. Retreat now and I might show you mercy!� All Teams!
Current geolocating efforts place Skeletor at the position noted on the map. Descend upon Skeletor with the superheroes and save planet Earth for all of humanity!
What is GIS? GIS uses computer hardware and software to collect, maintain, analyze, visualize, and communicate geospatial information. GIS enables its users to better understand, engage with, and design the world around them. Professionals use GIS and Geospatial technologies in each of the 16 career clusters. For example:
• Farmers use drones to capture crop health data and GIS and GPS in their tractors to manage their fields efficiently and effectively.
• United Parcel Service (UPS) uses GIS and GPS
for logistics management, to efficiently transport goods from origin to destination.
• Market/Business Analysts use GIS to analyze customers, competitors and other community factors to find the best locations for new businesses.
• Marshfield Clinic used GIS to establish that
geographic proximity (distance) was significant to female breast cancer patient outcomes.
• Environmental Scientists use GIS data from
multiple time periods to determine trends in land cover, climate, water quality, and wildlife migrations, among many other matters.
• Pixar Animation Studios used 3-dimensional GIS to build scenes for Cars2 and Zootopia.
UWSP Academic Programs B.S. Geography:
Study Earth’s physical and human environments to reveal how and why location is important to society. Communicate geospatial knowledge to others using the art and science of crafting maps. Employ geospatial tools and techniques to analyze geographic patterns and trends important for problem-solving and critical decision-making.
B.S. Geoscience:
Integrate knowledge from geology, hydrology, atmospheric science, and biology to make sustainable decisions concerning the world’s resources and qualities. Use GIS, GPS and remote sensing technologies to augment your abilities to analyze and plan for the world around you.
B.S. Geographic Information Systems Science: Combine knowledge
from Geography, Geographic Information Systems, and Computing Technologies to design, customize and build digital GIS interfaces and models. Learn how humans use these technologies to improve their quality of life and solve complex societal problems.
GEOSPATIAL SUPERHEROES
Credits
Written and edited by:
Douglas Miskowiak: Senior GIS Education Specialist
James Rogasky: Student of the UWSP Graduate GIS Certificate Program
ArcGIS Story map crafted by: James Rogasky
Imagery
Superheros and villains are not productions of UW-Stevens Point. Imagery was captured from online sources. Campus photos taken and edited by James Rogasky.
Map data from Open Street Map accessed using ArcGIS Online, powered by ESRI.
Find the Digital Story Map: https://arcg.is/1Gf5OS
Department of Geography and Geology