Held since 2008, the annual SLA Spatial Challenge aims to increase the awareness of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) among students and to encourage the innovative use of GIS in Singapore. This year, the competition expanded to include an additional Tertiary category for Polytechnics and Universities. A total of 36 teams from 17 Junior Colleges, Integrated Programme Schools, Institutes, Polytechnics and Universities participated in the 6-month long competition.



In addition to the one-day software training provided by our sponsor, ESRI Singapore, participants and their teachers were invited to attend a one-day GIS Basic Concepts Workshop held at Teacher’s Network on 15 March 2010. This workshop was designed and facilitated by a team of GSOD staff comprising Lo Jing Lu, Jennifer Tan, Lee Kim Haw, Maryln Lim and Elyn Tan. During the workshop, students learnt about key GIS components, fundamental functions and its application to real-life issues through a combination of activities and lectures.

To provide more guidance to the students, consultation sessions were held from 12 May to 25 June. Participants were given one hour to raise questions on data or software issues. The sessions were conducted by SLA GSOD staff and ESRI Singapore trainers. A global positioning system (GPS) handheld device training workshop was also held over 2 half days on Saturdays. For the first time, GPS Land sponsored the use of GPS handheld devices. ESRI Singapore sponsored training on the use of the software in device. Participants went out to the field to test out the devices and to gain some hands-on experience at the same time