Education

• Project summary/paper submittal regarding a valid GIS project.
• Submit to: Immediate Past President, ipp@gaurisa.org
• When submitting the summary/paper, send it as an email attachment in Microsoft Word format. Include “Georgia URISA Student Paper Submission” in the email subject field.
• GIS project must be used in course of study at Georgia academic institution.
• Students must be currently enrolled in a Georgia academic institution (may be requested to provide evidence).
• Two References verifying project content (must include name, title, organization, contact phone, e-mail address, and postal address).
• Source material must be fully acknowledged using footnotes and a bibliography.
• Project data must be documented with the most current FGDC- and/or ISO-compliant metadata.
• Student-Faculty Authored Papers: When more than one author is listed on the paper, a student applicant must be the primary author (listed first). If the other authors are faculty members, the authors must provide a letter affirming that the student applicant contributed to over 50 percent of the content.
• Multiple Authored Papers: If students are submitting a paper written by a group, a corresponding author must be identified. This author will speak on behalf of all the other authors. If a multiple-authored paper wins the competition, the corresponding author will receive the prizes. Prizes are transferable and distribution will be left up to the corresponding author. URISA will not involve itself in issues regarding prize distribution among groups.

CONTENT (2 points)

• Reflects broad research and application of critical-thinking skills
• Shows notable insight or understanding of the topic
• Reflects good understanding of the technology used in the project
• Captures the audience's attention and compels
• Has a clear goal related to a significant topic or issue
• Information included has been compiled from several relevant sources
• The project is useful to an audience beyond the students who created it
• There is a focus that is maintained throughout the piece

PRESENTATION (1 point)

• Creative and effective and fully describes the focus of the project
• Presents information in an accurate and organized manner that can be easily understood by the intended audience
• All elements make a contribution
• Little or no technical problems, and none of a serious nature
• Elements of presentation are in a balanced, attractive, easy-to-follow format
• With minor exceptions, all elements contribute rather than detract from the presentation's overall effectiveness

USE OF TECHNOLOGY (2 points)

• The project demonstrates competence in the use of current GIS technology
• All GIS and related software and techniques must be fully documented
• The project demonstrates the use of at least one of the following: analytical GIS techniques (raster and / or vector), programming, data preparation and manipulation, and database design
• The project employs some use of new technology or the use of current technology in innovative ways
• The project demonstrates an understanding of how GIS is applied to solve real-world problems

1st Place Winner Expectations:

• March 26, 2010 - Winners will be notified and announced.
• 15-minute presentation on their GIS-related project at the Georgia URISA Student Award/Career Day Luncheon on Tuesday, April 14, 2010 at a location TBD (giving each winner 2.5-weeks to prepare).

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