The main objective of bITS is to develop a community geographic information system (GIS) through a community participatory approach involving high school students. High school students can participate by enrolling in bITS After-School and Summer-Intensive programs. These programs are open on a yearly basis to high school students enrolled in the School District of Philadelphia. The goal of these programs is to provide a series of participatory experiences to students from underrepresented groups in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields of study.

 

bITS is sponsored by the Information Technology Research Group of Temple University in collaboration with the Institute for Public Policy, the Department of Geography and Urban Studies and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.  Community partners include the School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Youth Network and Asociación de Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM).