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CORVALLIS, Ore. – Hundreds of Willamette Valley students and other community members are expected to participate in the annual “GIS Day” on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at Oregon State University, learning more about the newest advances and capabilities of geographic information systems.

The event, “Discovering the World Through GIS,” is free and open to the public. It will include lectures, videos, live presentations, a vendor fair and other activities.

GIS technology uses advanced computerized mapping systems to help solve problems with the environment, health care, land use, business efficiency, education, and public safety. OSU researchers are leaders in use of these systems.

This year, 60 students from Corvallis High School will join OSU graduate students and faculty in helping to mentor 460 middle school students from Corvallis, Albany and Beaverton through the various GIS Day activities. Their work is part of a school project.

More details on events and activities can be obtained on the web at http://geo.oregonstate.edu/gisday. The OSU program is sponsored by the Department of Geosciences and the Department of Forest Science, in conjunction with the USDA Forest Service and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Other events include:

• An OSU faculty member in full pirate costume will speak to students about mapping shipwrecks and undersea “monsters” with GIS technology.

• A “Kid’s Keynote” address will be made by George Taylor, manager of the Oregon Climate Service, on weather and climate mapping.

• A hike around Reser Stadium will demonstrate use of global positioning satellite technology.

• The main keynote presentation by Janet Ohmann of the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station will be held at 3 p.m. in Richardson Hall Room 313. Just before and after the lecture, a vendor fair featuring live demonstrations and resources from campus labs and local businesses will be held on the second floor of Richardson Hall.

• From 2-5 p.m., the Corvallis mobile mapping truck will be parked just outside the building for viewing and touring of its wireless mapping technologies.