By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
IMAGINE a hipster wonderland, complete with colourful street art, al fresco dining and a skate ramp.
It was this vision that won Kaeyah Mousaco the inaugural MapIT! Challenge – a competition run by Cardinia Shire Council, the Geography Teachers Association of Victoria and Victoria Walks.
In entering the competition, local primary and secondary students were challenged to use their geography skills to redesign a recreational space, upgrade their school playground or map a local walking area.
Officer Secondary College students Georgia Newell, Gus Poulton, Fletcher Power and Bri Sherry took second place and Zahra Musaghazi from Minaret College won the Primary Division.
Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Jodie Owen said the competition was an exciting opportunity for students to engage with their surroundings.
“Council is pleased to be able to encourage students to think spatially about where they live,” she said.
“We hope this competition is the start of something great and many of our students are inspired by the idea of geographical mapping.”
The event was sponsored by smart-mapping specialists Esri Australia whose managing director Brett Bundock said geospatial professionals can have a positive impact on communities.
“Geography extends beyond state or country borders with its principles underpinning decision-making in many areas of the community including public safety, transport and healthcare,” he said.
“Inspiring Australia’s next generation of cartographers and geospatial professionals to utilise GIS technologies, while thinking conceptually about their environment, will foster sustainable, connected and adaptable communities across the country.”
The MapIT! Challenge received 81 entries from more than 200 students at six schools and coincided with international GIS Day – day marking the impact smart-mapping technology makes in society.
