AAG Proposes New AP GIS&T Course

The American Association of Geographers (AAG) has issued a proposal for a new Advanced Placement course in Geographic Information Science and Technology (AP GIS&T).

All U.S. high schools, colleges, and universities are encouraged to review and support the proposal by visiting www.apgist.org.

AP GIS&T is designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of geographic information science and applications of powerful geospatial technologies for spatial analysis and problem solving. Together with AP Human Geography, AP GIS&T offers an opportunity to engage students in outstanding geographic learning experiences and promote awareness of the many college and career opportunities available in the discipline.

The AP GIS&T course proposal has attracted broad support from prominent scientific and educational organizations, as well as major technology employers such as Google. As a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) offering, AP GIS&T would strongly complement AP Human Geography and provide another means of inspiring students to consider majoring in Geography and GIS in college.

For AP GIS&T to become a reality, the AAG needs to collect attestations from 250 U.S. high schools confirming that they have the interest and capacity to offer the course. Similar assurances are needed from 100 colleges and universities that they would be willing to offer some form of credit to students who demonstrate proficiency on the AP GIS&T exam.

To ensure a timely proposal submission to the College Board, the AAG's goal is to collect the necessary attestations by October 1, 2016. School principals and department chairpersons can add their institution to the list of AP GIS&T supporters by completing the brief attestation form at www.apgist.org.

Questions about the AP GIS&T proposal may be sent to ap_gist@aag.org.