FARMINGTON – Terms such as GIS and GPS might sound daunting, but the use of these technologies has changed the world of geographic mapping.

You can find out how at The Center for Community GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and the Maine Geographic Alliance open house Monday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. A presentation by GIS users on community-based projects will begin at 4:30 p.m.

The open house will provide a variety of activities to show the advantages of these technologies and is being held in celebration of International GIS Day, part of National Geography Awareness Week, said Stephen Engle, director of the center located in the lower level of Church Street Commons at 109 Church St.

All activities are free and open to the public, he said.

The center provides mapping support for organizations such as land trusts, trail groups, social and health services as well as schools and educators of community-based projects including scouts and youth groups.

Surrounded by map-covered walls at the center Thursday, Engle and Cathleen McAnneny, Professor of Geography at the University of Maine at Farmington, explained how new digital mapping technologies such as GIS can not only create a map but show trends, patterns and information needed for a variety of services and programs.

“An educator in North Jay is mapping the White Granite Park Trail while a group of students in Bangor is collecting wildlife accident data to map where to put new warning signs,” Engle said.

Students in Anson created mapping information about the town cemeteries while Patti Millette’s classes at Mt. Blue High School are using GIS to study sedimentary deposits on Cape Cod Hill in New Sharon this fall, Engle added.

The technology is being used by teachers in other disciplines, not just geography, including math and social studies. A Spanish/English teacher is using it to map the role of immigrants, he said.

The center has two full-time employees, two AmeriCorp members and half a dozen interns and provides mapping support throughout the state, New England and to a few international programs. It is a program of the non-profit Quebec-Labrador Foundation, which promotes the use of GIS by public interest groups.

For those who enjoy treasure hunting, a GPS (global positioning system) can be borrowed from the center from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to go geocaching in Farmington. There are half a dozen geocaches hidden around Farmington and more than 600,000 hidden around the world. The geocache, an airtight container, is hidden with a logbook and sometimes a few trinkets. Using coordinates found on the web, the GPS units are used to help locate the treasure, he said.

Historical sites and geographical features such as waterfalls can be the geocache.

As the activity continues to gain popularity, it also can serve as an incentive for tourism with people stopping in a local area for gas or a meal as they search for the treasure.

Career potentials in the GIS field are also quickly growing.

“It’s the third fastest growing technology and career path in the country,” said McAnneny.

The public is welcome to stop by and explore map exhibits, discuss project ideas for classes, clubs and groups or learn more about career opportunities in the GIS field Monday.

For more information, contact the center at 778-0900.