Promoting geoinformatics in Estonian schools - experiences from the project "Cool geography lesson"

The project “Cool Geography Lesson” was launched in Estonian schools in 2016 by the University of Tartu geography students’ association EGEA-Tartu. Over seven years (2016–2023), the initiative reached over 12,000 students across more than 150 schools. The project aimed to enhance secondary school students' understanding of geography through workshops covering various topics, including geoinformatics. These workshops provided students with practical experience and real-life applications of geographic knowledge. The study presents insights from these workshops tailored for lower and upper secondary school students (ages 12–18). Examples of activities with a geoinformatics focus included creating a 3D model of Estonia’s capital city, Tallinn and generating a simple choropleth map of Estonia. This study describes the project’s structure and results, challenges in teaching GIS and feedback from participants. The results show that hands-on and interactive learning is important for teaching geoinformatics. However, challenges like low technological literacy and limited access to equipment still exist. Feedback from both students and teachers shows a strong interest in continuing this kind of workshops, which suggests that there is a real need for practical GIS education in secondary schools.