Calvin Entinger

Through “Crossing Boundaries,” Mr. Entinger and Mr. Montesano create Geographic Information System (GIS) courses at their two very different high schools to help students make connections across disciplines, schools, cultures, and within the larger community. To study the ways geographic features influence society, students use GIS devices to plot the pedestrian, auto, and public transportation routes between the schools and to analyze the natural and man-made barriers. Applying their new skills, students use cutting-edge technology to identify, evaluate, and solve problems in cooperation with community partners. One possible project includes students mapping the home and work addresses of current and potential customers of a new internet café to help the owners increase the effectiveness of their advertising. At the culmination of the project, students make professional presentations to the relevant organizations.