What is the connection between the number of trees in a neighbourhood and the ground surface temperature? Are incidences of cancer linked to polluted areas? Is there a correlation between the socioeconomic characteristics of a community and the number of wildlife species present? These are just some of the questions that can be answered thanks to the power of geographic information systems, or GIS.

This brochure introduces students to the wide range of work conducted by GIS experts in Chicago, offers an insight into careers in GIS, contains interviews with GIS experts and includes an activity sheet that challenges students to learn how to use GIS.