Contributions to various scholarships are made to promote the education of students pursuing careers in surveying. LSAW promotes and members sponsor TRIG-STAR, a competitive exam for High School Students. A number of our members serve on college advisory committees, and many teach surveying or related classes in our state's colleges.

For Teachers

TwiST

Teaching with Spatial Technology (TwiST), is a one week course designed to teach K-14 teachers how to use Geographic Information Technology (GIT) in the classroom. TwiST classes are given by instructors from the Oregon Institute of Technology and held annually in Oregon. If you are a teacher and are interested in attending this course, we have funds available to defray your costs. Please contact us.

• Download the 2009 TwiST Course Information

Online Resources

• Survey Career Outreach (PDF)
• KanGIS - K-12 GIS Educators
• McGraw Hill - K-6 Math
• MathForum.org
• National Science Foundation
• Sites for K-12

For Students

Trig-Star

Trig-Star is an annual high school mathematics competition based on the practical application of Trigonometry. Students that participate are not only provided with an opportunity to earn awards, but also leave with a better understanding of the technical profession of Geomatics, which includes Land Surveying and Mapping.

Professional Land Surveyors use the Trig-Star program to advance communication with the communities they serve. Local Land Surveying and Civil Engineering companies provide professionals who volunteer their time to explain how trigonometry is used to solve Land Surveying and Mapping problems.

Purpose

• To promote excellence in the mastery of mathematics in high school.
• To honor high school students who have demonstrated their superior skill among classmates at the local, state, and national levels.
• To acquaint the high school students with the use and practical applications of mathematics in the Geomatics professions.
• To build awareness of Geomatics as a profession among mathematically skilled high school students, career guidance counselors, and high school math teachers.

What happens during the Trig-Star contest?

There may be a presentation by a Land Surveyor from one of the local surveying companies to help participants understand the Geomatics profession. The exam is a timed exercise of one hour, during which students must solve trigonometric problems that incorporate the use of right triangle formulas, the law of sines, and the law of cosines. Winners are determined by the most correct answers in the fastest time. The Trig-Star program, in the State of Washington, has three levels of testing and awards.

Local Test - Sponsored by LSAW Chapters

This level of testing is given to local high schools. There is one winner per high school and that winner advances to compete at the state level. Awards at this level are established by the local chapter sponsor.

National Test - Sponsored by the NSPS

The National test is given locally and scored in July at the NSPS headquarters. There are three levels of awards for the National test. 1st Place is a $2000 cash award to the student winner and a $2000 Teacher Excellence Award to the teacher of the winner, 2nd Place is a $1000 cash award to the student winner and a $1000 Teacher Excellence Award to the teacher of the winner, 3rd Place is a $500 cash award to the student winner and a $500 Teacher Excellence Award to the teacher of the winner.

Trig-Star Deadlines & Test Dates

The annual deadline for local testing is May, with exams normally administered in late winter or in spring. For more information visit the Trig-Star website.

Past Trig-Star Winners

Colleges

The following Washington state colleges offer programs in Surveying and Survey related disciplines.

• Bates Technical College
• Bellingham Technical College
• Centralia Community College
• Clark College - Vancouver, WA
• Columbia Basin Community College
• Oregon Institute of Technology - OIT
• Renton Technical College Field Survey Tech
• Renton Technical College Land Survey Tech
• South Puget Sound Community College
• Spokane Community College

Scholarships

LSAW is proud to present scholarship information for students wishing to practice in the profession of surveying.

• Bellingham Technical College
• Museum of Surveying
• LSAW Foundation
• Peninsula College
• Renton Technical College

Continuing Education

LSAW is committed to continuing education, sponsoring several conferences, seminars and refresher courses throughout the year. Learn more about upcoming education events.