Klein ISD Promotional Video
by Isidro X. Garza, RPLS #5905

Recently, Klein ISD released a promotional video for their Geomatics Program. This video contained a compilation of interviews that took place over the course of several events including: Job Shadow, Geomatics Presentation at Klein Collins High School and a TSPS Chapter 9 - Gulf Coast luncheon that was hosted by Klein Collins High School. These events took place to spread awareness of Klein Collins High School's new Geospatial Engineering and Land Surveying Program to its curriculum.

Portions of the video were taken at the Klein Collins High School annual Job Shadow event, where they sent many of their students to learn about different industries for the day. For the second year in a row, I had the opportunity to host 4-8 students at my company for the day. Our activities included:  

• Introductions followed by a hour and a half session where we run through and have each student pair up with our drafting and survey tech team to begin researching the property Appraisal District report and the deed and\or plat of where each student resides. (Please Keep in mind that these students all have taken AutoCAD and Revit classes their Freshman year). The students then create an 11x17 plat of their own homes utilizing Civil3D software. We have them plot Boundary/Plat lines, Easements and ownership for the subject tract and the adjacent tracts utilizing our layering and CAD standards. Once this task is complete, they now have an unofficial Deed Sketch of their homes where they later can show their parents.
• We then broke into groups for a 30 minute drone demonstration.
• During lunch, we showed a PowerPoint presentation on Geospatial Engineering Program details and the Colleges and Universities that offer Geomatics in the State of Texas.
• The next hour was used to begin hands on training on field equipment through fun competitions.
• They begin with a pacing exercise and proceed to the first pacing competition.
• Students are shown how to setup a tripod, tribrach and prism in about 10 minutes. Then we began competitions to see who could setup the fastest.
• Then they are shown how to sight a back sight and turn to a foresight and then began a competition on turning sets of angles.
• We complete the field competitions with a demo of our Network GPS RTK by locating features of the complex and Electronic Toning of utilities that feed the complex.
• The last hour was spent with a Laser Scanning demonstration where we allowed each student to physically operate the scanner.

We have always received positive feedback from the students who participate in the Job Shadow event. Not only is this day a great opportunity for us to show the students a brief synopsis of what we do on a daily basis, but it is a huge moral builder for our employees as they truly have as much fun teaching the students as the students have learning from them.

The promotional video also shows snapshots from the Geomatics Presentation day. Over the course of the last few years we have developed a strong relationship with several of the Engineering Pathway teachers at Klein Collins and are invited out several times throughout the school year to give a Geomatics demonstrations. We take this opportunity to talk about our industry and share some of the technology that we use both in the field and in the office. This generation of students are heavily technology driven and we are able to peak their interest by showing them a few of the tools that we use, such as, the laser scanners, drones, data collectors and other software. After our presentation, we open to floor to any questions. Usually the students will flood us with questions regarding internships, career opportunities, pay and also what other types of technology we utilize in our field. 

The third content used in the video was taken during a TSPS Chapter 9 - Gulf Coast luncheon which Klein Collins High School hosted for us. This was a great opportunity for the school district staff and students to meet members of TSPS. We took this opportunity to showcase some of our local industry leaders and give them a chance to visit with staff, counselors, teachers, and students currently enrolled in the Geospatial Engineering Program.

Klein Collins students who are enrolled in the program will be attending the upcoming TSPS Symposium in College Station. In addition to assisting TSPS, they will have the opportunity to meet with members, sit in on classes and also meet with Dr. Stacey Lyle and get an inside look at the Texas A&M program. These types of interactions will continue to build momentum from a marketing standpoint as the goal is to catch these students attention and show them what we do, with hopes that they themselves will spread the news of the program to their peers.

Overall, the Program at Klein Collins is now in its second year and is showing good signs of growth. The program began with 4 students last year and today has 17 students enrolled in the GIS course. The current semester has kicked off and this will be the first semester with industry instruction which will begin with a GIS component. Next Fall, the Geomatics component kicks off and we look forward to having several industry leaders pitching in to help make this program a huge success.

A few months ago, we were able to collectively submit a request for TEA to approve our industry for State Course Content, and a few weeks ago we received official notification that we were accepted and approved for our region. This allows funding to begin for any district within our region for the Geospatial Engineering and Land Surveying Pathway. Klein ISD and Klein Collins High School have been an amazing partner to our Industry and will lean on each other heavily over the next few years as we continue to build and grow this program. Failure is not an option as the vision is to build a solid model that can be copied and implemented across the state and even on a national level. 

TSPS: How/why did you get into surveying?

Nathan: When I was 20 years old, I went to work for Technip/Coflexip Gulf Marine Fabricators in Ingleside, TX as a dimensional control technician. I had no experience or knowledge of surveying, so I decided to take night classes at Del Mar College. I changed my major from pre-med to surveying after I discovered a Bachelor Degree curriculum at TAMU-CC. I changed my focus to Land Surveying, eventually earning a Master’s degree at TAMUCC. Land Surveying was an easy fit, it matched my interests and hobbies and I never get bored!

TSPS: Why did you join TSPS?

Nathan: I joined TSPS to make a positive impact in our industry and profession. I believe as a team, we can accomplish our educational and legislative goals, while promoting public awareness. At times it seems our profession is one generation away from extinction, so I want to help keep my Chapter 12 and all of TSPS motivated and goal-oriented to achieve our larger goals, and prosper.   

TSPS: What is your most memorable surveying moment?

Nathan: I have had the privilege of working with a lot of great guys, and have been on some very interesting surveys, so I have many memorable moments. I worked on a large survey on the back side Port Aransas with Darrell Shine, Nedra Foster, Bill O’Hara, Allen Walzel, and two special guests, Boots and Britches (they were alligators). On my journey to get licensed to survey in the State of Texas, it took much time, money, effort, and sacrifice, with a mortgage due and 2 little ones; so, I would have to say that getting my license to survey is my most memorable surveying moment.

Nathan's Favorites:

Color: Blue
Food: BBQ
Animal: Dog
Singer/Band/Group: Willie Nelson
Hobbies: Camping

Nathan is currently TSPS Chapter 12 - Coastal Bend President.