Above and Beyond the Classroom at GREC

Image of GIS imagesStudents at Granite Ridge Education Centre are getting first-hand experience in geographic information system (GIS) applications as well as an introduction into the emerging field of drone applications for environmental and agriculture conservation and development. 
 
‘Above and Beyond the Classroom’ is a new program, partially supported by the Limestone Learning Foundation, that provides students with an understanding of this new technology, engagement in expanding career connections and very real applications and skills in information gathering and analysis. 
 
In collaboration with a number of community partners, students map missions and collect imagery of the area in order to examine usage, water quality and development, mapping missions for farmers to assist in crop assessment, imagery for tourism, and much more. 

The County of Frontenac has provided this program with all of the initial mapping data required to program the drone for its imagery collection, and students have provided data to the County for various initiatives. The mapping images on this page were taken for the township, and show a surprisingly accurate elevation map of a local waste management site. Volumetric analysis of waste volume is the only option at present because there is no weigh scale at the site.The township is using GREC's imagery to further examine its current practices with the intent of extending the life of this facility. 

Grade 11 student Ryleigh Rioux, who recently received her drone pilot's licence will be mapping Malcolm and Ardoch Lakes with the support of a grant from North Frontenac Township and the area lake association. Read more here Frontenac News


Watch the drone video from another mapping mission. This one is for Wheeler's Maple Products in Lanark Highlands. 

Follow the CIS class and their discovery on Twitter @beyond_aboveand