Welcoming SEP Rail Services to the GKiS family, lets learn some more about them:

1. Company Name: SEP Rail Services

2. Location: UK, National

3. Why is it important for your company to help Get Kids into Survey? Get Kids into Survey shines a light on a vital, yet often overlooked part of the engineering and construction industry. With so many exciting opportunities, surveying can take you around the globe! Our team is made up of people with fascinating backgrounds who’ve made lifelong friends along the way. This industry opens doors for young people from all walks of life and we want to do our part in inspiring the next generation to discover the amazing possibilities that a geospatial career can offer.

4. What do you do?  SEP Rail Services is the UK’s fastest-growing, independent rail surveying firm. We provide comprehensive support to consultants, contractors, and other industry stakeholders specialising in measuring, modelling, and monitoring the UK’s railways.

From initial survey and investigation through to project handover and ongoing monitoring, we offer end-to-end support, delivering the precise data our clients need to make informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle.

SEP Rail Services is part of SEP Rail, a group of six specialised companies that provide surveying, design, engineering support, as well as geotechnical, maintenance, and ecology consultancy services. Together, we support the leading names in the industry, helping them develop innovative solutions to complex challenges and contributing to the advancement of tomorrow’s railway.

5. How long have you been in the survey industry? SEP Rail Services officially opened its doors six years ago under the leadership of Rikki Morrow, the firm’s Managing Director. With over two decades of rail surveying experience, Rikki leads a team with a collective expertise exceeding 100 years in the rail industry. Rikki began his career as a Route Clearance Technician in the early 2000s and steadily advanced through the ranks, culminating in the founding of SEP Rail Services in 2018.

Across the entire SEP Rail Group, the depth of experience is even more remarkable, with several centuries of combined rail-specific expertise. Each member of our team contributes a unique perspective, making us a leader in the industry.

6. How did you end up getting into the geospatial industry? The idea of working in the rail industry was planted by the father of one of Rikki’s friends over 20 years ago.

7. State a (not so funny, but interesting..) fact about you… Before entering the industry, Rikki was a semi-professional Rugby player, however due to a serious knee injury, was forced to abandon his dream. That’s what led him to chat with his friends dad, and the rest they say, is history!

8. Favourite piece of kit and why? GEDO Trolley – A very versatile piece of kit that provides a platform for many levels of rail survey and engineering applications: from Laser Scanning , Topographical, & Gauging survey to real time track geometry and tamping operations.

9. Favourite Survey technique and why? Traversing & Control Networks.  A robust well thought out traverse is the foundation to any survey or engineering project.  Most other survey techniques are reliant on a traverse or defined control system for verification or for georeferencing.  It is fundamental to survey.

10. Your website

11. How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? Mean to you? What’s his/her name? SEP-Trax symbolises the unified approach of the SEP Rail Group. To the casual observer, SEP-Trax appears as a single train; however, once deployed, it transforms into a versatile machine capable of tackling the most intricate and complex challenges.

SEP Rail operates in much the same way. The Group comprises six specialised companies, each contributing to the smooth operation of the nation’s railways. To our clients, we function as a cohesive entity, but behind the scenes, our teams are collaborating to ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant outcomes our clients expect.

Teaching kids about surveying and geospatial careers can be a fun and interactive way to introduce them to the world of geography, technology, and problem-solving. 

We’ve brainstormed 10 easy and engaging activities that can help kids learn about surveying:

1. Map Reading and Creation

• Activity: Start with a basic map of your local area or a park. Show them how to read a map, identify landmarks, and understand the scale.
• Make it Fun: Create a scavenger hunt where they have to find specific locations or objects using the map. You can also encourage them to draw a simple map of their home or neighbourhood.

2. Use of Compasses and GPS

• Activity: Introduce them to a compass and explain how surveyors use it for navigation and orientation. Teach them the basics of cardinal directions (North, South, East, West).
• Make it Fun: Go on a “treasure hunt” using a compass or a GPS device. You can set up a simple geocaching activity where they have to find hidden objects using clues and GPS coordinates.

3. Hands-On Measuring

• Activity: Show them how surveyors use tools to measure distances and angles. Use a measuring tape, a ruler, or a simple laser measuring tool.
• Make it Fun: Have a friendly competition to measure the dimensions of different objects or areas around the house or yard. For example, ask them to measure the height of a tree or the length of a garden bed.

4. Geocaching: 

• Activity: Download the geocaching app where students use GPS to find hidden items around the local area, teaching them about coordinates and navigation. 

• Make it Fun: Make it their homework to go and explore on more walks to find the most amount of geocaches that they can find!

5. Teach Basic Geometry Concepts

• Activity: Surveying involves a lot of geometry, such as understanding shapes, angles, and distances. Introduce basic geometric concepts through puzzles or games.
• Make it Fun: Use fun activities like building shapes with sticks, drawing large geometric patterns on the ground with chalk, or creating 3D models with clay or blocks.

6. Aerial Drone Demonstrations

• Activity: If you have access to a drone, explain how modern surveyors use drones for aerial mapping and data collection.
• Make it Fun: Demonstrate a drone flight and show them how the drone captures images or videos from above. Kids could try piloting a drone under supervision to capture their own data or footage.

7. Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR) Exploration

• Activity: Many educational VR/AR apps allow users to explore different environments or even experience virtual geospatial tasks.
• Make it Fun: Use VR headsets or AR apps on smartphones or tablets to explore virtual worlds, understand topography, or learn how surveyors map out different terrains.

8. Field Trips

• Activity: Plan a visit to a local surveying or mapping company, or a geographic information system (GIS) lab at a nearby university.
• Make it Fun: Make it a family day trip where they can see real-life surveyors at work or talk to professionals in the field. Let them ask questions about the tools and techniques they use.

9. Interactive Online Tools and Games

• Activity: Use online platforms and games that focus on geography, map-making, and spatial reasoning.
• Make it Fun: Websites like Google Earth, NASA WorldWind, or Geoguessr provide interactive ways to explore maps, satellite images, and the globe. Many of these tools also include fun quizzes and challenges.

10. Hands-on GIS Mapping Projects

• Activity: Introduce Geographic Information Systems (GIS) by creating simple maps. Free tools like QGIS or ArcGIS Online provide basic functionality to create custom maps.
• Make it Fun: Ask them to create a map showing their favourite places in their town or plan a bike ride, using layers to add different elements (like parks, schools, etc.).

Let us know if you’ve done any cool activities with your kids over summer? We’d love to add some more examples to inspire other parents to head out and explore!

Welcoming our latest Brand Sponsor- Washington State Department of Transportation! Let’s learn some more about them:

1. Company Name – Washington State Department of Transportation – South Central Region (WSDOT-SCR)
2. Location – Union Gap, WA
3. Why is it important for your company to help Get Kids into Survey? Land Survey is the foundation to civil engineering, roadway preservation and being multi-modal.
4. What do you do? The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a governmental agency that constructs, maintains, and regulates the use of transportation infrastructure in the U.S. state of Washington 1. Established in 1905, it is led by a secretary and overseen by the governor 2. WSDOT is responsible for projects and improvements focused on creating safe and reliable ways to move people and goods around Washington.
5. How long have you been in the survey industry? 1905
6. How did you end up getting into the geospatial industry? Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers have been working together for the department since 1905.
7. Favorite Survey technique and why? Establishing project control. It’s sets the stage and foundation for design and construction projects.
8. Your website
9. How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? Mean to you? What’s his/her name? We named him “Digit” to emphasis and align with mathematical digits in the survey profession. Like Surveyors, Owls have outstanding sensory abilities which play a crucial role in their lifestyle. Their exceptional vision, hearing and spatial awareness set them apart in the crowd. We added the eye glass to resemble the eye piece of a total station….and nothing goes better with a surveyor than a warm, comfy flannel.

Welcoming Brand Ambassador Simon Leeming from the Midlands, UK:

How did you get into surveying?

Apprentice Surveyor in 1995-2000, became Chartered through RICS

Welcoming Filipe Sousa our latest Brand Ambassador from Canterbury, New Zealand:

How did you get into surveying?

I started as a Survey Assistant in 2015 working with underground cables as-built surveys. Slowly got trained on the job and became a little confident with all the toys: Digital Levels, GNSSs, Total Stations, UAVs and Laser Scanners. I have been surveying out and about since then.

I have no formal education degree in the geospatial field. I am actually a Biologist by degree, but learnt the joys of surveying thanks to the training all the colleagues and leaders gave me on the jobs.

Introducing Ian Stephens our latest Brand Ambassador who is covering the Midlands area of the UK: 

Introducing Joseph Phil our latest Brand Ambassador from New Jersey, USA. Let’s learn some more about him:

How did you get into surveying?

I got into the Geospatial Industry shortly after joining my current firm as a civil engineer graduate, I was presented an opportunity and path to further my education and ultimate licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor. To say it was a great decision would be an understatement, there is so much to learn and appreciate while being able to utilise some really cool technology each and every day!

Recently, it has become clear that many of us in the geospatial industry share a common goal: raising awareness of our field. This need is even more pressing now, as companies are starting to recognise the challenges posed by the low enrollment rates in geospatial programs at colleges and universities, making it difficult to find top talent at career level.

At GeoBusiness in June Erin was introduced to Gideon from Minesat. Minesat is on a mission to democratise remote sensing! 

What is remote sensing?

Remote sensing is the capture of information from a distance using onboard sensors (passive or active) deployed in satellites, drones, planes, helicopters and survey equipment. It detects and measures reflected or emitted energy of physical objects on the earth, everything from light and sound to electrical, chemical and magnetic.

Data can be combined with advanced technologies such as AI, GIS, BIM and Analytics for decision-making across industry and research. For instance, communication networks (your pilot uses satellite signals to guide you safely home), infrastructure (digital twins use light imaging from drones or ground laser scanning) or urban planning (satellites can identify heat islands to inform policy).

We love that Minesat shares a large educational hub, in which Get Kids into Survey now features (in the ‘Ground’, ‘GNSS’ section)!

Find the hub here:

Let’s hear more from the Founder, Gideon Simons about the project:

“We are seeking to build a community connecting people with the whole spectrum of remote sensing and advanced technologies and advocating their uses for the betterment of society.

Our vision is to make this more accessible in terms of knowledge, education and use as we are realising their combined potential to solve many of the challenges we face as a society, from climate to resources to urbanisation.

We are doing this through sharing best practices, experiences and ideas from industry, non-profit and educational bodies. In doing so we foster partnerships that improve accessibility and inclusivity with the aim to accelerate the uptake of technology in industry, enabling non-profits to deliver more value and support educational opportunities for our younger generations.

As such, we are excited to work with our new partner Get Kids into Survey with this last objective in mind: providing educational resources to kids in primary and middle school so that they can experience and understand the technology and their fantastic applications in our world. Ultimately, to give more children a more informed choice about how they can support our future.

We are providing links to all of GKiS content as we think it’s a great resource for kids – we also have more content around survey if they want to dive in further plus a whole host of content on drones, advanced air mobility and space and satellites.

Do come and visit us, have a look and join up for more resources coming soon!”