What is a Homework Project?

Our homework projects are a series of questions covering a range of subjects from geography to mathematics. They focus on a specific topic about the geospatial sector, so far each homework project links back to one of our themed exploration posters to further dive into the educational side. You can find our active projects on our website… like all of our resources, they are free for everyone to access!

There is scope for us to produce endless amounts of lesson plans as we work with a specialist primary school teacher called Mat Sulivan (also the brains behind our GeoSquad Comic Book). We have an extended list of Homework Project titles ready to show your company, could the next one be yours?

What are the benefits of these Homework Projects?

For kids who see our posters and want more… these projects are the perfect exercise to explore a range of thought provoking activities. They are link back to the geospatial profession whilst using a range of skills. Because we all know that geospatial experts aren’t just pro’d in one subject area, it requires multi talent!

These projects engage the children and hopefully encourage them to learn more about surveying as they go through. It is proven that kids are aware of the career they wish to enter into from as early as 7 years old. Proving that we need to expose children to our world in a fun way, from an early age as possible.

Why do we need you?

As mentioned previously, we want our resources to be accessible to ALL, meaning there is no charge to those who wish to use our resources. This means that we need to fund the creation and distribution of these somehow. And that is where YOU come in (hopefully). 

If your company were to sponsor one of the lesson plans that would help to fund all of the work that goes on to keep Get Kids into Survey running. We have a network of great contacts including our cartoon designer, teacher (copywriter), website support, distributor handling fees for our posters, the runnings of our office and systems, not forgetting team member Erin who spends 2 days each week doing all things GKiS!

Benefits for your company:

-Brand exposure- By joining part of the Get Kids into Survey family, you are joining a network of great contacts. Your name will be out there on our social media channels and our website. See here for our infographic which has all of our website stats, with some added facts and figures. That’s a LOT of eyes.

-Marketing material with a cartoon character. Our very own cartoonist will create a character of your choice. Have a look at all of our character spotlights here (Latest Blogs – Get Kids Into Survey) for an insight into other companies ideas! GKiS also shows your soft side and builds a unique picture about your business. Look at Trent Keenan at Diamondback Land Surveying, he is so passionate about getting kids into Survey, he has sponsored the local Nascar – this not only promotes the profession but raises his profile as a Surveyor in his area!

-Help provide FREE resources that kids will enjoy (more detail in previous question).

-Build momentum, start small with BIG consequences. There is a huge lack of career advice and awareness on Surveying, so help educate parents, children and the general joe blogs at a local level. There is a clear problem “In 2018, there were 55,000 chartered surveyors in the UK, either employed or self-employed. This number has fallen from 63,000 in 2011” Source/ Credit Macdonald and Company. 

-YOU are helping to save the industry and hiring crisis! Help children understand and recognise this as a career option. The more we capture a child’s interest, the more likely they are to consider this in later life. Keeping surveying on the radar! This is a long term strategy!

“Land Surveying Is A Great Profession, But Why Don’t Young People Know That?” POB Magazine

Below are our Statistics for the previous year, which have only grown during 2022. We are considered well known in the geospatial industry, along with the extremely high reputation of our founder Elaine Ball; who set up GKiS in addition to her Elaine Ball Ltd which has recently opened the Geospatial Marketing Academy. 

Any further questions please don’t hesitate to message Erin on erin@getkidsintosurvey.com and why not join our monthly newsletter too!

Introducing Austin Maxwell from Tennessee, USA. Here’s a bit about him:

“I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Engineering Technology with a concentration in Land Surveying and Geomatics and a minor in Military Science from the University of Tennessee at Martin in May of 2022. 

Requirements in the State of Tennessee are as follows:

To be licensed as a professional land surveyor, an applicant shall:

1. Make a complete application to the board;
2. Be of good character and reputation;
3. Submit five character references to the board, three of whom are professional land surveyors or individuals acceptable to the board and who have personal knowledge of the applicant’s land surveying experience;
4. Comply with the requirements of this part; and
5. Satisfy one (1) of the following requirements:

1. Obtain a baccalaureate degree from a surveying or surveying technology curriculum of four (4) or more years, approved by the board, and a record satisfactory to the board of two (2) years of progressive practical experience after the applicant passes the Fundamentals of Land Surveying examination, one (1) year of which shall have been in responsible charge of duties performed under a practicing professional land surveyor. An applicant who passes the Principles and Practice of Land Surveying examination and the Tennessee State Jurisdictional examination shall be granted licensure as a professional land surveyor;
2. Obtain a baccalaureate degree from a science, engineering or technology curriculum of four (4) or more years related to the practice of land surveying, approved by the board, with a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours of board-approved coursework in the surveying sciences, and a record satisfactory to the board of two (2) years of progressive practical experience after the applicant passes the Fundamentals of Land Surveying examination, one (1) year of which shall have been in responsible charge of duties performed under a practicing professional land surveyor. An applicant who passes the Principles and Practice of Land Surveying examination and the Tennessee State Jurisdictional examination shall be granted licensure as a professional land surveyor;
3. Obtain a baccalaureate degree from a nonsurveying related curriculum of four (4) or more years, approved by the board, plus an additional thirty-six (36) semester hours of board-approved coursework in the surveying sciences, and a record satisfactory to the board of two (2) years of progressive practical experience after the applicant passes the Fundamentals of Land Surveying examination, one (1) year of which shall have been in responsible charge of duties under a practicing professional land surveyor. An applicant who passes the Principles and Practice of Land Surveying examination and the Tennessee State Jurisdictional examination shall be granted licensure as a professional land surveyor;
4. Obtain an associate degree in surveying technology or a related science, engineering or technical field approved by the board with a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of board-approved coursework in the surveying sciences, and a record satisfactory to the board of four (4) years of progressive practical experience, three (3) years of which shall have been in responsible charge of duties performed under a practicing professional land surveyor if the applicant passes the Fundamentals of Land Surveying examination on or before June 30, 2016, or if the applicant does not pass the Fundamentals of Land Surveying on or before June 30, 2016, a record satisfactory to the board of six (6) years of progressive practical experience after the applicant passes the Fundamentals of Land Surveying examination, four (4) years of which shall have been in responsible charge of duties under a practicing professional land surveyor. An applicant who passes the Principles and Practice of Land Surveying examination and the Tennessee State Jurisdictional examination shall be granted licensure as a professional land surveyor; or
5. Comply with the requirements of subdivision (b)(1)(F)(v) as approved by the board and pass the Fundamentals of Land Surveying examination on or before June 30, 2017, or if the applicant does not pass the Fundamentals of Land Surveying examination on or before June 30, 2017, obtain six (6) years of progressive practical experience which shall have been in responsible charge of the duties performed under a professional land surveyor after the applicant passes the Fundamentals of Land Surveying examination, plus an additional twelve (12) hours of board-approved coursework in the surveying sciences. An applicant who passes the Principles and Practice of Land Surveying examination and the Tennessee State Jurisdictional examination shall be granted licensure as a professional land surveyor.

I originally started college with the plan of becoming a civil engineer. The summer before I started classes, I began working for an engineering and surveying firm, L.I. Smith & Associates (LIS). Once I began school I worked part-time for LIS, where I did office work pertaining to the engineering industry. I quickly realized that I did not love engineering, but I very much enjoyed land surveying. I recognized the need for surveyors in the state and knew that the job market was strong, so I changed directions in my career path and pursued surveying. I began my career in the surveying industry in July of 2016. 

I am a member of the Tennessee Army National Guard and the Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors (TAPS). In March of 2022. I received the TAPS Student of the Year Award. The award is presented to a student who has exceptional leadership roles and involvement in their land surveying programs at their university, local chapter and state organization. To qualify for nomination, a student must be a current member of TAPS and hold the following positive traits and attributes: attitude, cooperation and dedication, projecting a professional image, self-improvement, and enthusiasm.

I want to be a GKiS brand ambassador because I see the generational gap between the average age of surveyors in my area and those looking to join the profession. I believe it is important for children to be exposed to the geospatial industry because it is the science that is often forgotten, which is why the average age of surveyors in our area is near that of retirement. 

It is essential that we promote geospatial sciences to young children. Otherwise, they will grow up knowing nothing about it. As a young surveyor, it is my responsibility to teach children the benefits of surveying and to encourage them to explore the world of geomatics. After all, children are the future!

As a GKiS brand ambassador, I plan to work with the local schools and host “Surveying Days”. These lessons will explore the world of geomatics and geospatial technologies. It is my goal to show kids that they already know more about surveying than they may think, and that the opportunities in this field are endless!

My hobbies include coaching my kids’ sports teams, all outside activities, wood working, and SURVEYING!

Our company is based out of Paris, Tennessee, which is the home of the World’s Biggest Fish Fry. It would only be fitting if our mascot was a catfish!

To the parents, teachers, and surveyors, the children of our great nations are the future, not only of the surveying industry, but of all professions. It is our responsibility to teach. The mind of a young person is the most moldable, as what they learn from a young age is what shapes their desire to aspire! 

I would love to see a GKiS poster with a space theme because so much of our technology revolves around the satellites in the sky. In addition to that, the first means of surveying included measuring the stars and travelling the world following the sun. A space themed poster would give children a glimpse of both the past and the future.”

Welcome to our latest Brand Ambassador Matthew Jensen from Hampshire, UK:

Where did you study? What are the requirements to be a surveyor in your area? How did you get into surveying? I (MatthewJensen) trained in Architecture, after starting my career as a trainee Quantity Surveyor within Civil Engineering. My Architectural career started working for large Aviation and Hotel projects (such as Hilton Worldwide) for multiple London large practices. Of which, I started my own multi-disciplinary consultancy in 2016, of which had a part focus on the Maritime sector. In 2017/2018 we realised that 3D data capture was an important value proposition to our end-users, so we adopted 3D laser scanning as part of our consultancy offering – especially within Maritime.

If you are not a surveyor, what do you do? Multidisciplinary Architecture, Scanning and Project Management consultancy

How long have you been in the industry? 15 years

Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention? Royal Institute of Naval Architects (AssocRINA)

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador? We want to influence younger upcoming talents about future survey technologies within our specific markets, and how important they are for the product life cycle and future of digitalisation.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? Reality capture and Geospatial Technologies are the future. 

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS? As a Governor of a local school, we are regularly providing insight into Geospatial technologies, Maritech and Contech! We are also a member of Maritime UK Careers, and aim to influence youngsters into fantastic prospects within the Maritime and Geospatial industries.  

What are your hobbies? Piano, Boating, Clay pigeon shooting, Sea fishing, Travel, Tennis and Classic Cars. 

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? Definitely Miles! 

What poster or resource would you like to see next from GKiS? A Maritime one! 

Anything else you want to add that you think our audience (surveyors, teachers, parents) would be interested in? As our business is evolving with Technological advances within industry, we are looking for any candidates who might show an interest in the future Survey/reality capture. Please get in touch with us!

Say hello to George Eustice a Hydrographic Surveyor from Lancashire, UK:

Where did you study? How did you get into surveying? Studied Marine Geography at Cardiff University. I’d never heard of Hydrographic Surveying until I started my course. I did a placement year in my 3rd year – which was a year at South Wales survey company. I learned very quickly about Hydrographic and Geophysical survey, as well as beach topographic surveys.

I’m now a Business Development Manager for a Land and Hydrographic Survey company.  

How long have you been in the industry? 15 Years this summer.

Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention? We’re members of TSA for all of our survey related questions. We are also members of Mersey Maritime and Wirral Chamber of Commerce.

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador? In the past I’ve done a number of talks within schools about the Hydrographic Survey industry. There was some very good engagement, and it was very rewarding. Since joining a land and marine survey company, there would be a lot more to talk about – with more career paths to choose from . There are already a lack of surveyors coming through, so if I can inspire a handful of local kids into a career in surveying, it will be a huge boost of the local workforce.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? A lot of people within our industry, including myself, just stumbled across the industry without ever planning to go down this route. Once we were in, we could see how rewarding a career it could be. Telling kids about the industry early, will give them the best chance of choosing the right subjects to get the best jobs that suit their strengths and interests.

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS? Hopefully going into as many schools as possible on the Wirral and in the NW to promote the industry.

What are your hobbies? Mostly involve Football or sport of some sort. Watching Sheffield Wednesday or Non-League local teams. Watching my 6 year old son, who’s now playing at Manchester United. Watching my daughter do her gymnastics and dance competitions. Playing cricket (Whenever I get time!)

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? We’d have to have a marine based animal for the Hydroside – A dolphin or Shark maybe.

For the Land team, we do a lot of work in Manchester – So a Manchester Bee would be a good character (We also do drone surveys, so that would be a good link)

What poster or resource would you like to see next from GKiS? A hydrographic survey posted would be cool. Showing bathymetric / geophysical / UXO / Asset inspection surveys

Anything else you want to add that you think our audience (surveyors, teachers, parents) would be interested in? Maybe a preview of the types of training we do as Hydro surveyors. (BOSIET Includes the helicopter ditch training – which is really cool)

Introducing our Brand Ambassador Bruno Krenski from Parana, Brazil:

Where did you study?  I studied surveying first with my Father, Mr Helio Krenski and in 2017 I started the technical course in surveying.

What are the requirements to be a surveyor in your area? How did you get into surveying? In Brazil you can start the profession without any requirements. Only with willpower and someone who is willing to teach you. But if you need to sign your surveys, you must have the professional registration with the government, through technical courses or colleges of surveying.

I started learning the profession with my father in 2005 when I was 15 years old, he was the brain and I was in charge of the computer, then the years went by and I started going to the field, so I learned a lot of things in practice.

How long have you been in the industry? In full time 13 years

Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention? Measuring Masters

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador? I would like to be an ambassador for the GKIS project, because I identify with the project, I love drawings and children. I would like to bring a little fun to children and inspire them to become surveyors.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? With surveying we can grow into an organised society. We are experts in measurement and increasingly we need more data collection to plan our future.

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS? I hope to be able to carry the flag for surveying, along with the GKIDS project, through social media and events.

What are your hobbies? Home automation and additive manufacturing

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? This guy, but with more Beard 😊 and a military hat

What poster or resource would you like to see next from GKiS? A poster in the moon or mars

Welcome to the Terrane Brand Ambassador team! It is comprised of the following members:

• Colin Palmer | Project Surveyor PLS
• Jeff Savage | Project Surveyor PLS
• Alissa Porto | Project Coordinator
• Amanda Allred, PLS | Director of Surveying & Mapping

Let’s learn a bit more about them!

If you are a surveyor:

Where did you study?

Colin: I attended East Tennessee State University, where I received a Bachelor’s of Science in Surveying and Mapping.

Jeff: I started surveying in 2005 without any formal education in surveying.  I participated an dozens of after hour courses put on by the Land Surveyors Association of Washington (LSAW) as well as in house courses that professionals provided at my company.

What are the requirements to be a surveyor in your area?

Colin & Jeff: To become a licensed Land Surveyor in Washington state you are required to pass the 8-hour Fundamentals of Surveying exam, the 6-hour Principles and Practices of Land Surveying exam, and the 4-hour Washington State specific exam. In addition to these tests, you must also possess 8 years of professional-level experience under the direct supervision of a licensed surveyor (4 years of education may count towards this).

How did you get into surveying?

Colin: My neighbor in NC was a land surveyor and he offered me a job when I got home from Germany, after serving in the Army for 3 years after high school. After 6 months of working for his company I decided I never wanted to do anything else!

Jeff: A very good friend of mine was a surveyor, given our similar interests in outdoor activities he told me several times that he thought I would love surveying.  I had a good job at the time, with a lot of upward potential but I did not enjoy it.  It was a difficult decision but ultimately I decided to give it a shot, it’s one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made.

How long have you been in the industry? 

Colin: A little over 20 years.

Jeff: I have been in the Surveying industry since July, 2005 (17 years) and licensed since December 2014 (7.5 years).

Are you part of any associations or organizations you would like us to mention?

Colin: I am a member of the LSAW (Land Surveyor’s Association of Washington).

Jeff: I am a member of the Land Surveyors Association of Washington (LSAW).  They are an organization committed to the growth and development of Land Surveyors as well as creating a community for Land Surveyors in the state of Washington.

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador?

Colin: I am very passionate about this profession and love to explain surveying to anyone who will listen, especially children. I have three boys and I have had the opportunity to speak at their schools about surveying on several occasions. It’s so much fun!

Jeff: From the moment I got into surveying I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I’ve always excelled at mathematics and finding a career that can challenge and utilize those skills is great.  Being able to show kids that there is a practical application to the math that they are learning will hopefully help in keeping them inspired to learn it.  Along with the historical aspect of how surveying has affected common life is something that I’m very excited about passing on.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry?

Colin: Surveying gets a bad rap sometimes. People think that surveyors are the grungy guys they see on the side of the road with the “cameras” on tripods. Kids should know that surveying is such an important part of our society.

Jeff: Surveying is a crucial step in many different trades and careers from real-estate to construction and engineering, having a better knowledge of the surveying world will not only get kids more interested in perhaps pursuing a career in surveying but also create a better level of respect in the other many related fields they may choose.  Understanding how maps get made is very important to understanding the ever-growing world of GIS, so many companies are integrating a variety of GIS platforms to their client facing websites as well as their internal production engines.  Understanding how the world relates to GIS through surveying will be a huge benefit to anyone taking that path.

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS?

Colin: Help children to see how cool of a profession this is!

Jeff: I am open to classroom presentations to all ages, capturing the interest in children as early as possible has always been something that I’ve wanted to do.  Not only to hopefully get them interested in the profession I’ve come to love but at the very least I would hope to show them that math is not a useless venture of the school system, this stuff has real world application.

What are your hobbies?

Colin: Exercising, hiking, reading, and being a Dad.

Jeff: I enjoy hiking, camping, and coaching my daughter’s softball teams.  I’m a diehard Seahawks fan and love going to games.  I am also co-owner of a small business which takes up a lot of my spare time.

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be?

Jeff: It would have to be a dog, our company is filled with dog lovers.  Also having a dog out in the field is the absolute best!

What poster or resource would you like to see next from GKiS?

Jeff: I would just love to see more resources dedicated to schools, whether it’s posters, books or physical presentations in the classroom, all of it would be great for the kids.

Amanda recently spoke at the PLSO Conference in Portland! Keep up the good work Team Terrane!

Welcome to Christine Wanja our latest Brand Ambassador! Here’s a little bit about her:

“Hi, my name is Christine Wanja. I am a land surveyor here in Kenya. I studied at Regional  Centre Training Institute. You need to have good grades,register with the Institution of surveyors Kenya, be passionate, ensure accuracy and follow the guidelines set aside when it comes to lands and surveying to be a surveyor. I got into surveying out of curiosity I never really knew what it entailed since I have never met any land surveyor. I was passionate about it since I knew it involved shambas and that was enough to make me pursue land survey.

I have been in the industry for two years now.

I got into land survey without knowing what it entails. I had never been involved with any surveyor. I almost gave up the dream of becoming a surveyor since I never knew of any college that could offer a diploma in land survey.

If as a kid I had a land surveyor to mentor me into survey I would be very far in my profession right now.

In Kenya, most of the kids I have met or know want to be either a doctor, engineer, or teacher, Most kids, and people don’t know about any survey or geospatial engineering. Being a brand ambassador I have made it my obligation to enlighten kids that survey is a career profession one can pursue and that it is interesting and it also pays.

I love traveling and experiencing new cultures and places. I love socialising and meeting new people”