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2026 GIS Day Geospatial Challenge

2026 GIS Day at UAB

Explore. Discover. Map. Win!

Put your geographic curiosity to the test! Participate in four fun mapping challenges, explore your surroundings, and earn points for a chance to win a GIS Day prize. Haven't registered for GIS Day yet? Click here to join us in person on November 17, 2026.

Challenges open
Nov. 9, 2026

Challenges close
Nov. 16, 2026, at 11:59pm

Winner announced
Nov. 17, 2026, at UAB GIS Day

Play on Your Phone or Tablet

PLEASE NOTE: These challenges are designed for mobile phones and tablets only. For the best experience, use your mobile device rather than a desktop computer.

QR code to open the GIS Day mapping challenges on your phone or tablet
Scan with your phone or tablet.

Viewing this page on a computer?
Scan the QR code with your phone or tablet to open the game on that device.

Already on your phone or tablet?

Open the Game on This Mobile Device

Use your mobile device to collect locations, photographs, and observations that contribute to shared interactive maps.

How to Play

  1. Open the game on your phone or tablet using the QR code or mobile-device link above.
  2. Enter your email address and create a fun Player Name when you complete your first challenge. Use the same Player Name for all subsequent submissions so we can track your points.
  3. Explore the four mapping challenges and complete as many as you like.
  4. Earn 10 points for each correct or qualifying submission.
  5. The player with the highest total score wins! If players tie for the highest score, one winner will be selected through a random drawing among the tied players.

The Four Challenges

  1. Where Were You Born?

    Put your birthplace on the map!

    Submission limit: One per player.

  2. Smoots

    Discover the story behind an unusual unit of measurement. Answer the challenge questions correctly to earn points.

    Submission limit: One per player.

  3. Campus Comfort Challenge

    Explore your university campus and share places that offer comfort.

    Submission limit: Up to five per player, each representing a different location.

  4. Where Knowledge Lives

    Discover and photograph places where knowledge lives on your campus. Each photograph must show a different location, but photographs may be taken or uploaded from the same spot. All photographs must be your own original work.

    Submission limit: Up to five per player.

Watch Your Contributions Come to Life!

Every submission helps build a map! As participants from universities across the Southeast contribute their locations, photographs, and observations, we will turn that information into interactive maps you can explore.

See how your contributions connect with those of other players and discover the geographic patterns that emerge along the way.

Scoring and Prizes

  • Each correct or qualifying submission earns 10 points.
  • Only submissions meeting the individual challenge requirements will receive points.
  • The player with the highest total score wins the GIS Day prize.
  • If multiple players tie for the highest score, one winner will be selected through a random drawing among the tied players.
  • Only one prize will be awarded.
  • You do not need to attend GIS Day to win. The winner will be announced at UAB GIS Day on Nov. 17, 2026, and will also be notified by email.

A Few Things to Remember

Participation is individual, not team-based. Use the same Player Name for every challenge so your points can be counted together. Duplicate or ineligible submissions will not earn points.

Get out there, explore, and discover the geography all around you!