GIS Lab
Geographic Information Systems
College of the Atlantic
Mapping place, data, and ideas
The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Lab at College of the Atlantic fuses the arts and sciences through mapping, analysis, and planning. Established in 1988—the first of its kind at a small college—our GIS Lab serves as a technical and creative hub for the entire academic program.
Experiential learning
Learning by doing
The GIS program is built on experiential, project-based learning. Through research, service, and community partnerships, students develop spatial thinking and technical skills that give them a marketable edge for jobs, internships, and graduate study.
Students collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations. Projects range from ecological research to land use planning and community mapping.
Student impact
Student projects and recognition
The GIS Lab supports a broad portfolio of student-led work, like the Vision for Town Hill project, which helped guide local planning efforts in Bar Harbor.
The lab is a recipient of the Esri Special Achievement in GIS Award, recognizing its innovation and community impact.
Connect with the GIS Lab
Get involved with hands-on mapping projects. Access training and technical support. Partner on community research initiatives.
Gordon Longsworth
[email protected]
207-801-5677
Stories from the Field
Research offers new insights into Atlantic sea scallop reproduction
Research led by Kaitlyn Kowaleski ’19 found that Atlantic sea scallops produce fewer viable eggs than previously estimated, offering new insights for fisheries management and marine conservation. Read More
Leading one of Maine’s most beloved events
April Boucher ’06 has spent more than a decade leading the Common Ground Country Fair while building a career rooted in her values. Read More
From a pipette in Bar Harbor to the frontiers of kidney research
The Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, a College of the Atlantic partner program, has helped launch thousands of scientific careers, including that of Dr. Nishad Jayasundara ’05. Read More
Student Resources
Thorndike Library
Research expertise, specialized databases, and guidance for independent and collaborative projects across disciplines.
Registrar
Registration, course offerings, student forms, transcripts, and support as you design your program of study.
Writing Center
Focused help for brainstorming, drafting, revising, and refining papers, projects, proposals, and presentations.
Career Development
Internship planning and placement, resume and interview preparation, and connections to meaningful work.
Academic Support Services
Study skills, learning strategies, and accommodations designed around your strengths and challenges.
Meal menu
From curries to carnitas, savory tofu to Maine seafood, our dining hall celebrates flavor, community, and responsible sourcing.
more student resources and info
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