Summer Institute

Saturday evening, I shared a beer with John Wightman. Brickyard Red, of course.

COGS, along with other educational institutions, has had to adjust to a different teaching model as the result of COVID. Rather than sit around waiting for change. Let’s revisit the Summer Institute. Show leadership.

From my conversation with David Colville, it seems that faculty are managing a combination of on-line students, on-site students, as well; in his case, graduate students at Acadia. What would the new model look like? Could this be a theme of a Summer Institute in 2022 and beyond?

We could include participation from

• Canadian Cartographic Association
• The Applied Geomatics Research Group
• Esri and Esri Canada
• Novita Interpares
• Shorefast Foundation
• Chris Hopkinson and Laura Chasmer, University of Lethbridge.

Besides new approaches to teaching, we could look at new approaches to resource management: agriculture, forestry, fisheries, mining.

We could look at new approaches to community-centric engagement with: Bridgetown, Lawrencetown, Middleton, Annapolis Royal, Annapolis County — such as different age cohorts in the community: school age, workforce, retirement age. Perhaps there is room to explore technical tourism and creative, technical workshops.

We have a choice. We can wait until politicians determine COVID is over. Or we can design a Summer Institute, with a particular format and content. Place a stake in the ground, mark a date on the calendar, and plan for post-COVID living.

We should look at previous Summer Institute events. Decide on the audience, the presenters, location and timing. I am confident that CANMAP would be supportive.

Anyone interested, besides John and myself?

We could look at and attract new technologies and their leaders; for example, working with GoGeomatics on new directions/new relationships.

Acknowledgements

Enjoyed an excellent conversation with John Wightman at his home in Bridgetown. Edward, another COGS faculty alumni, added the graphics. Heather continues her vigilance to help birds survive in this unusual Winter.