Joy Unene

Hey, I'm Joy Unene a final year and the University of Zambia, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Project Management and International Relations and the current president of the UNZA YouthMappers chapter in Zambia as well as a Volunteer YouthMappers' Regional Ambassador. I am passionate about leadership, education, and using geospatial tools to empower people and communities. I discovered YouthMappers in 2022 and it changed the way I see mapping as something beyond lines and dots on a screen, but as a tool for transformation. Through outreach activities and mentorship, I've worked with young learners and seen firsthand the magic that happens when they realize they can map their world. This will be my second time speaking at a State of the Map conference and I'd be delighted to present in person his time around. I am excited to share and learn with this amazing global community.


Session

11-30
14:00
20min
Little Mappers, Big Impact: Introducing OSM to grade school learners
Joy Unene

We often say children are the future, but what if they could also map the future? In this talk, I'll share my experience and reflections on introducing OpenStreetMap to grade school learners and why it's not only possible but necessary. While OSM is already popular among university students and professionals, there's a largely untapped group that can benefit from learning about maps and spatial thinking from an early age; primary school students.

Using stories, activities and real-life examples from my volunteer work and academic journey, I'll highlight how teaching young learners about mapping can spark curiosity, sharpen digital skills and build a deeper understanding of their communities. I'll explore simple ways to introduce OSM to children without overwhelming them and how we can design context specific learning environment that encourages creativity and inclusion.
This session will also reflect on the importance of early exposure to open data principles, especially in communities that are often underrepresented in the geospatial field. If we want a more inclusive mapping future, we must start by nurturing young minds today.
Whether you are a mapper, educator, or just curious this talk is for you. Let us plant the seeds of spatial literacy early and watch them grow.

Academic
Auditorium