Redlands, California—October 25, 2010—Esri's GIS Grant Program for 4-H is currently accepting applications from 4-H Clubs in the United States and on American military bases around the world. The program provides geospatial technology and training materials to 4-H Club members and qualified adult leaders. It is designed to complement the 4-H Clubs' science, engineering, and technology (SET) activities.

The three grant levels in the program are Getting Started with GIS and GPS, ArcGIS, and State or Regional ArcGIS 4-H Educator Train the Trainer. Each program has its own eligibility criteria and required activities. Grant recipients receive geographic information system (GIS) software, data, and curriculum materials. The clubs use the Esri grants as a way to introduce 4-H youth to GIS technology, explore careers, and conduct a local service learning project in their communities using geospatial technology.

"The Esri grant program has grown steadily as clubs throughout the United States expand their focus on science and technology," said Esther Worker, Esri's youth groups manager for education in industry solutions. "Participants in our program learn the same technology that is used by GIS professionals around the world and apply it to public service projects in their own local communities. The key to success in 4-H GIS can be attributed to the dedication and involvement of GIS professionals working with their local 4-H GIS club as a GeoMentor.”

The application period for the 2011 Esri GIS Grant Program for 4-H is October 1 to December 1, 2010. Specific grant guidelines and the related application links can be found at esri.com/4-H under Esri GIS Grant Programs.

About 4-H

The 4-H Club was founded in Ohio in 1902. Since that time, it has grown to become the largest youth organization in the United States, with more than 6.5 million youth members and adult leaders. It is part of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information, visit 4-H.org.

About Esri

Since 1969, Esri, the market leader in GIS, has been giving customers around the world the power to think and plan geographically. Esri is the only vendor that provides complete technical solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms. Visit us at esri.com.



Contact:

Jim Baumann,
Esri
Tel.: 909-793-2853, extension 1-1807
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