Belize joined scores of countries across the world in celebrating World GIS Day. Total Business Solutions Limited (TBSL), the local distributor for Esri Inc. (the world’s leading GIS company) with support from sponsors and exhibitors hosted the 7th World GIS Day Expo at Belize City, Belize on Wednesday November 13, 2019 from 8:30am-1:00pm under the theme, “Embracing Digital Transformation in Education.”  Over 1000 students from 25 schools attended this educational and fun event. Students viewed exhibits and presentations from 8 organization within Belize who all use GIS to accomplish important objectives. Educators also got a chance to meet with GEOMentors and staff who discussed with them the benefits of GIS and how easy it is to bring GIS into the classrooms. Educators and students also visited the careers in GIS booth which enlightened students to the importance of selecting careers for the 21st century. Students also flew drones at our drone flying zone as well as visited the Belize GIS Educational portal and had hands on learning experience using GIS.

Mr.  E. Jahmor Lopez is the Principal Education Officer and the Education Centre Manager for the Cayo District in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture. His office is responsible for supervising, monitoring and supporting principals and teachers of pre, primary, TVET and secondary schools in the district to ensure the effective delivery of the national curriculum using a variety of strategies and approaches. Mr. Lopez has over 25 years of classroom experience at the primary, secondary and the college level in Belize and the United States.  He holds an M. Ed in Instructional Technology (Tech Apps) from Dewar College of Education, Valdosta State University, Georgia, USA and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology Education from the University College of Belize and is also a trained primary school teacher. Mr. Lopez was very instrumental in the development of an ICT framework for the Caribbean for primary and secondary schools and was Belize’s representative for the Educational Community of Central America and the Dominican Republic (CEDUCAR) for five years.  He has written several articles on the effective and safe use of technology to improve teaching and learning and has facilitated numerous workshops to teachers and other stakeholders in education.