Tools: Using maps and applying geographic concepts to your project can help you see new patterns, trends, and relationships that you might not see otherwise. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software provides the functions and tools needed to store, analyze, and display information about places and about sustainable development topics. You can learn more about how to use GIS and download free software here:
If you only need to view spatial data or do minor manipulations, you can use free ArcExplorer software
For a classroom friendly version, try AEJEE
Or sign up to use the more powerful ArcGIS Online
Data: Locate geographic information for your community from one of the online data clearinghouses: Start at GeoData.Gov for geospatial data from the US federal government.
You can also find free data online:
- The Millennium Development Goals
- Country level data from the World Bank
- Country Reports From the United Nations
- Watershed data in the US from the US Environmental Protection AgencyMaps from the US Census
- Population Reference Bureau (statistics on 85 demographic variables for 221 countries, 28 world regions and subregions, the world as a whole)
- Nationmaster World Statistics and Maps
Or you can collect your own data that match the information used by international agencies:
- United Nations Indicators used by the Commission on Sustainable Development
- Millennium Development Goals
- The World Bank’s Benchmarking Kit
Next step...how to present your work >>
