Olson Middle student wins national mapping technology competition

Olson Middle School and Dimensions Academy eighth grader, Sylvan Redish, is the winner of a national competition showcasing students’ knowledge and skills of using digital mapping technology to teach viewers about a researched topic. Redish competed against middle school students from 21 states at the 2023 National ArcGIS Online Student Competition.

Redish’s winning entry - Hennepin Homeless - Proposed Action Towards Helping the Homeless - presents data on homelessness, advocates for the conversion of hotels into shelters using state funding, and stresses the importance of finding accessible help and shelter for the homeless.

Redish received guidance from social studies teacher, Laurie Bohn, who has guided one other national-winning student. Redish and Bohn are featured presenters on Esri’s monthly webinar for K-12 educators who use the ArcGIS Online digital mapping software. Redish will showcase her entry to educators from across the country. The public can register to join the webinar, on June 17 at 7 p.m.

Redish also placed first at the Minnesota on the Map ArcGIS Online competition. Olson Middle students Carter Anderson and Ethan Mcintosh, and Oak Grove Middle School’s Alexander Hanson also had award-winning entries in the top five of the state competition. 

Oak Grove’s Braeden Armstrong Johnson, Seamus Olson and Benjamin Farrell and Olson’s Finn Dolmar earned honorable mentions for their entries at the state competition.