Fun with Maps: Exciting Activities You Can Do Using Remote Sensing & GIS!

When you hear the words Remote Sensing and GIS (Geographic Information Systems), you might think of scientists in labs or analysts mapping floods and earthquakes. But did you know these powerful tools can also be fun, creative, and even addictive once you start exploring?

Whether you’re a student, educator, hobbyist, or just a curious soul with a love for maps, here are some fun and educational activities you can try using remote sensing and GIS in 2025.

🎨 1. Create a Map of Your Own Life!

Use free GIS platforms like ArcGIS Online or QGIS to make a map of:

• Places you've lived or traveled

• Your daily commute or favorite food spots

• Your bucket list travel destinations

Add layers like satellite imagery, elevation, or weather data for extra flair. Think of it as your personal story told through geography!

🕵️‍♀️ 2. Satellite Scavenger Hunt

Fire up Google Earth, Sentinel Hub, or NASA Worldview and try finding:

• The Pyramids of Giza

• Volcanoes in Hawaii

• Airplane boneyards in the desert

• Crop circles or large art on land (like the Atacama Giant)

Turn it into a game with friends—who can find the coolest location from space?

🌱 3. Track Changes Over Time

Remote sensing lets you compare how places have changed across years:

• Watch how your city expanded from 2000 to 2025

• Observe deforestation in the Amazon

• Track disappearing lakes or snow caps due to climate change

Use Google Earth Engine Timelapse to create your own "before and after" visualizations.

🐾 4. Map Wildlife Sightings

Love animals or birdwatching? Create a GIS map that tracks:

• Species sightings in your neighborhood

• Migratory routes of birds using open datasets

• Locations of nature reserves or animal corridors

You can even use citizen science apps like iNaturalist or eBird to get real data!

🧪 5. DIY Mini Research Project

Pick a question like:

• Is my city getting hotter over time?

• Which parks have the most tree cover?

• Which areas are most flood-prone in my locality?

Use open satellite data (like Sentinel or Landsat) and GIS tools to investigate and make your own infographic or mini-report!

🗺️ 6. Design Fantasy Maps

Who says maps have to be real? Use GIS tools to build:

• A treasure map of a fictional island

• A futuristic city built on Mars using satellite basemaps

• A fantasy realm with elevation layers, rivers, and kingdoms!

Great for storytellers, gamers, or creative designers.

🎓 Bonus for Educators: Host a "Map-A-Thon"

Engage students with a friendly Map-a-thon—a team activity where they map real-world features like schools, rivers, or disaster-affected zones using tools like OpenStreetMap.

They learn geography, spatial awareness, collaboration, and digital skills—all while having fun!

Final Thoughts

Remote sensing and GIS aren’t just for scientists—they’re for explorers, artists, detectives, storytellers, and dreamers. These tools open up a world of creativity and curiosity, helping us better understand both our planet and our place in it.

So go ahead, fire up your laptop, grab some satellite images, and make some map magic!

Want help starting a fun GIS project or class activity? Just ask—I’d love to help!